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Definition
What is climate action?
Climate action refers to any measures taken to reduce or mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. This can include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to changing climate conditions and promoting sustainable development practices. Climate action is important because climate change has the potential to cause significant harm to the planet and its inhabitants, including more frequent and severe natural disasters, rising sea levels, and food and water shortages. By taking action to address climate change, we can help to reduce these risks and create a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.
What is the primary reason behind climate change?
The primary driver of current climate change is the rapid increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. These greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a "greenhouse effect." As their levels rise, the Earth's average temperature increases, leading to global warming.
Human activities significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, deforestation, industrial processes, and agriculture are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Land-use changes and certain industrial activities also play a role.
What are the consequences of climate change?
Rising temperatures:Global average temperatures have been increasing, leading to heatwaves and extreme weather events.
Melting ice and rising sea levels:Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, contributing to rising sea levels, which pose risks to coastal communities and ecosystems.
Changes in precipitation patterns:Some regions may experience more intense rainfall and flooding, while others may face prolonged droughts.
Ocean acidification:Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere also lead to higher CO2 absorption in oceans, causing ocean acidification and harming marine life, particularly coral reefs and shell-forming organisms.
Impact on ecosystems and biodiversity:Climate change disrupts ecosystems, affecting plant and animal species and leading to shifts in their habitats.
Economic and social impacts:Climate change can impact agriculture, water resources, health, and livelihoods, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in vulnerable communities.
What is SDG-13?
SDG-13 refers to the thirteenth of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are focused on "Climate Action." The goal is to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilience to climate-related hazards, and promoting sustainable development practices.
What is climate change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, primarily due to human activities, leading to alterations in Earth's climate system. These changes involve variations in temperature (SDG 13 - thay đổi nhiệt độ), precipitation, wind patterns, and other weather-related elements.
What is El Niño?
- El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs when warm water on the surface of the Pacific Ocean moves from east to west, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperature. This affects weather patterns and climate globally.
- El Niño typically lasts for several months and occurs irregularly, usually every 2 to 7 years.
- The impacts of El Niño include heavy rainfall, floods, intense tropical storms and hurricanes in certain regions, along with droughts and wildfires in other areas.
What is La Niña?
-La Niña is the opposite phenomenon of El Niño, occurring when cold water on the surface of the Pacific Ocean moves from west to east, resulting in a decrease in sea surface temperature.
-La Niña also lasts for a prolonged period and occurs irregularly, usually every 2 to 7 years.
-The impacts of La Niña typically include droughts in some regions, floods in other areas, and an increased likelihood of tropical storm development.
-El Niño and La Niña are important factors in forecasting and understanding climate change and their influence on weather systems and the environment on Earth.
What is carbon credits?
Carbon credits are a unit of measurement for carbon emissions, used to quantify the amount of emissions that a business, organization, or country saves, reduces, or eliminates from their production processes or activities.
Carbon credits are typically calculated in metric tons of CO2 equivalent, where one metric ton of CO2 equivalent corresponds to the amount of CO2 emissions released when burning one metric ton of coal or an equivalent amount of fossil fuel.
Carbon credits can be bought, sold, or traded on the carbon market to support emission reduction activities or to achieve the carbon reduction goals of a country or organization.
What is green credits?
-Green certificates are a unit of measurement and certification for activities or products that are sustainable and have minimal negative impact on the environment.
-Green certificates can be applied to sustainable products, projects, or activities in various fields, including renewable energy, environmental protection, resource management, sustainable agriculture, and climate change mitigation.
-Green certificates are typically certified by specialized organizations or programs, ensuring that the recognized activities or products are trustworthy and genuinely beneficial for the environment and society.
The Amazon Butterfly Effect
-The Amazon Butterfly Effect, also known as the "butterfly effect in the climate system," is a concept in the field of weather and climate science. It originates from a principle in the theory of nonlinear dynamics, sometimes referred to as the butterfly effect or domino effect.
-This concept is derived from the question: "If a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon, can it cause a hurricane in China?" While humorous in nature, it emphasizes that a small and seemingly insignificant change in one system can lead to significant and unpredictable impacts in another complex system.
-In the context of weather and climate, the Butterfly Effect in the Amazon suggests that a small change in conditions in one area can have a large influence on the climate and weather in distant regions. For example, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest leading to a reduction in the area of pristine forests can decrease the CO2 absorption capacity of the forest, increase the remaining CO2 in the atmosphere, and impact global climate.
Net zero
-"Net zero" refers to the state in which the amount of a particular substance, usually greenhouse gases, emitted into the atmosphere is equal to the amount removed from the atmosphere. The term is often used in the context of addressing climate change, particularly in relation to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
-In the context of achieving "net zero carbon emissions" or "net zero greenhouse gas emissions," it means that the total amount of CO2 or other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from human activities (such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes) is balanced by an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere or offset through various means.
-Achieving net zero emissions is crucial in the fight against climate change because it helps stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, preventing further warming of the planet. It involves reducing emissions through various strategies, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices in various sectors. Additionally, offsetting can be done through actions like afforestation (planting trees to absorb CO2) or investing in carbon capture and storage technologies.
Backlog Problems
Vietnam faces a backlog of critical issues, including an energy crisis characterized by electricity shortages and dependence on fossil fuels. The transportation sector also struggles with inadequate infrastructure. Frequent floods and droughts, exacerbated by changing rainfall patterns, pose significant challenges to water management and agriculture. Periodic occurrences of El Niño and La Niña further impact weather patterns and intensify climate-related disasters. Addressing these backlogs requires comprehensive strategies and investments in renewable energy, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness to ensure sustainable and secure development in Vietnam.