The human being has never had a bigger threat. Global warming is a reality and we are seeing its consequences every day with more force. Much has been said about the issue and much remains to be clarified, but what can we do to avoid further catastrophes?

But first things first, let’s talk a little about some important concepts.

COSTA-RICA-AND-GLOBAL-WARMING

What is global warming?

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement established as a goal that the global warming limit should be 2 ° C. However, according to experts if the human being does not make a drastic change, the temperature will increase between 2 and 5 degrees for the year 2100.

But why all the fuss for only 2 or 3 degrees? History tells us that in the last 10,000 years, the age of the existence of the human being on the planet, the variation has been only one degree, however, that unit represents an increase almost 10 times faster than the one that the planet has during the 5,000 years following the last ice age.

Our planet has physical and biological processes that are extremely sensitive and fragile. With that in mind, variations that we may think are insignificant, could have catastrophic effects not only for the flora and fauna of the planet but also for the human being even meaning its extinction.

 

Difference between Climate Change and Global Warming

We tend to think that these two concepts are synonymous. However, climate change is an effect or consequence of this increase in the temperature of the planet.

Therefore, climate change is a variation in weather patterns that last for extended periods of time. This means, for example, increases in the number of hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, cold waves, among others.

A green Iguana resting on a branch in Costa Rica

 

What are the causes of Climate Change?

Some of its causes are:

  • Increase in greenhouse gases, the most important being CO2
  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Increase in the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural lands.
  • Deforestation
  • Increase in levels of methane gas produced by the high production of waste and industries such as livestock

 

Global warming effects

The effects of global warming are catastrophic, some of these are:

  • Global increase in sea level caused by the melting of two huge blocks of ice in Antarctica and Greenland. There is talk that for every 0.5 ° C, an increase of 10 centimeters will be experienced at sea level.
  • Increase in severe weather events. Strong storms, hurricanes, droughts, floods among others.
  • Decrease in food and water supplies.
  • Generalized extinction of species and the disappearance of coral reefs. Currently, the extinction rate accounts for the disappearance of 150 species per day!
global warming wildlife

White faced capuchin monkeys forest in Costa Rica, Central America

Can we do something against climate change?

The goal is to go hand in hand with nature, reaching a balance between pollution by the emission of greenhouse gases and the implementation of mitigation measures, compensation and adaptation to climate change.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the UN, IPCC, we are still in time to stop the temperature rise in 3 °C, but urgent and large-scale actions are required.

Considering this scenery, Costa Rica aims to become the first Carbon Neutral country, defining various goals for the years 2030, 2050 and 2100. Our small country is well aware that its effort is not enough to save the world. However, this program also focuses on motivating and becoming a role model, showing to the great nations the road for change.

But, to reach great changes, small actions are required. We can start in our own homes. So, how can we help?

  • Practice responsible consumption, preferring reduction, and secondly, reuse and recycling. In No Limit Adventures, we eliminated completely the use of disposable plastics such as water bottles, preferring more environmentally friendly options.
  • When traveling, visit conservation areas and thus support their work for the conservation and mitigation of deforestation. Come and explore with us Costa Rica with our private and personalized tours.
  • Save energy and reduce your water consumption
  • Change your diet to a low carbon diet. Prefers organic products and free of pesticides, reduces your consumption of meat and fish, buys local and seasonal products
  • Reduce emissions by opting for shared means of transport or options such as cycling when possible.

 

Tell us, how are you helping to change the world?