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Here are a few definitions to better understand climate change and why we must act now.
Climate change
Let's attempt to provide a clear and simple definition. The Canadian government defines climate change as "designating a long-term modification to the climate measured by changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and other indicators." So far, there's nothing complicated; climate change is therefore a simple modification of the climatic system from the way we are used to it.
To this definition we add an important specification: "Climate change can be caused both by natural processes, and also human activities". Therefore, humans can modify the composition of the atmosphere through certain activities like driving a car or traveling by plane. Any change in the climate leads to a multiplication of extreme climate events (drought, flooding, fires, storms, etc...) having major consequences on our Mother Earth but also our economy, health, infrastructures, and even our landscapes.
The greenhouse effect and the greenhouse gases (GHG)
Solar energy, in the form of light rays, arrives by going through the atmosphere.
A third is absorbed by the atmosphere. Another third of solar light enters the atmosphere and the earth's surface and the rest of the solar light is absorbed by Earth and oceans where it is converted into heat to warm the Earth and air.
The increase of these greenhouse gases (mainly man-made) in the atmosphere constantly increases the amount of heat trapped, thereby heating the Earth's temperature more than necessary.
Carbon Footprint
It is about the pressure that humans on the nature to provide for their needs. The footprint is calculated in hectare (ha) and it measures everything that we consume and reject (waste) into nature to meet our needs. Example: the water we are using to drink, take a shower or clean; the resources used to produce our food, the area of forest used to produce the wood or the papers that we consume etc.
Therefore, each person has an individual impact on nature according to their lifestyle, demands and needs. It is obvious then that we must consume within the limits of what nature offers us.
Currently, if all humans consumed like Canadians, we would use up almost four times the Earth's capacity.
The effect of climate change on First Nations
Climate change represents threat and a danger for the survival of communities. Here are some of the changes that are already happening or will soon happening
- Unpredictability of seasons
- Indigenous plants and animals cannot adapt when the climate changes too quickly
- Reduction of the number and quality of water sources
- The practice of ancestral activities (ex: hunting or fishing) could be threatened