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Climate Change
Climate Change: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions
With each passing year, society feels the effects of climate change more acutely. Whether they are heat waves or heavy rains, these events are becoming commonplace in cities around the world—and are constantly affecting various aspects of human life.
According to the Climate Observatory, it is estimated that between 3.3 billion and 3.6 billion people live in areas or contexts that are highly vulnerable to these changes. Therefore, understanding the causes of climate change, recognizing its effects, and finding ways to mitigate its consequences is a global priority.
What is climate change, and what causes it?
These activities lead to the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs): carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—which, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established by the United Nations (UN), are the primary cause of the rising temperatures observed since the mid-20th century.
The greater the amount of these gases in the atmosphere, the more heat is retained by the planet, contributing directly to global warming and, consequently, to the progression of climate change. According to UN data, the last decade, from 2011 to 2020, was the hottest on record. Compared to the 19th century, the Earth is about 1.1°C warmer, and this is just one of the factors influenced by climate change.
What are the impacts of climate change?
Heat and rainfall are the changes most easily noticed, but the impacts go beyond these factors. Climate change has serious effects on the environment and on various human activities, such as agriculture, fishing, and public health.
According to the UN, the risks caused by climate change include:
High temperatures
Global surface temperatures are rising as greenhouse gas concentrations also increase. The period from 2011 to 2020 was the warmest on record, and since the 1980s, each decade has been warmer than the previous one.
Intense storms
As temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates, intensifying extreme rainfall and flooding, and resulting in more devastating storms. The warming of the oceans also influences storms, which destroy homes and communities, causing loss of life and significant economic damage.
Increased Drought
Climate change impacts water availability, making it scarcer in many regions of the world. Global warming intensifies droughts in areas already prone to water scarcity, increasing the risk of agricultural droughts, which affect crops, and ecological droughts, which endanger ecosystems.
Larger and Warmer Oceans
The ocean absorbs most of the heat caused by global warming, and its temperature has risen considerably over the past two decades at all depths. As it gets warmer, its volume also expands, causing ice sheets to melt and further contributing to rising sea levels.
Species Extinction
It is estimated that one million species will be at risk of extinction in the coming decades due to factors such as wildfires, extreme weather conditions, and the spread of diseases and invasive pests—all of which are exacerbated by climate change.
Less Food Available
Crops may be harmed by prolonged droughts, flash floods, and increased plant pests and diseases, leading to a reduction in the quantity and quality of available food. In addition, climate change also affects livestock production, with changes in natural habitats and the availability of feed for livestock, leading to food shortages, rising prices, and food insecurity.
Health Risks
Climate change is associated with an increase in the incidence of diseases transmitted through food, water, and vectors such as mosquitoes. According to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the diseases most susceptible to these changes are infectious diseases, including leishmaniasis, malaria, dengue, and other arboviruses. In addition, hepatitis A is also a concern, as the virus responsible for the disease can be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water and food, especially in areas lacking basic sanitation or prone to flooding.
The reduction of indirect emissions, meanwhile, is achieved through a commitment to provide customers with green energy, products, and services, and through the gradual decarbonization of the supply chain.
Climate action is supported by another commitment: the protection of nature, which addresses three factors driving the environmental crisis: climate, biodiversity, and the overexploitation of natural resources.
The efficient use of natural resources to address the energy transition is another major challenge faced by Neoenergia, as well as the entire energy sector. The company focuses on the efficient management of water resources, given their environmental and social implications, and strives to use water rationally and sustainably to address risks related to water scarcity. In addition, it works with suppliers and other stakeholders in the value chain to develop circular economy systems, with more recovery and recycling initiatives.
The company is working to build a business model in harmony with nature and people, committed to sustainable development and to providing clean, renewable energy to meet the growing demand for this service. It is committed to continuing to lead the way toward a sustainable energy mix.
How society can help curb climate change:
Although the main efforts must come from governments and companies, people can also contribute to combating climate change through simple everyday actions:
