Climate 101 - Timeline & Impacts
Climate Change is happening faster than predicted even 5 years ago. We are already feeling the effects now in more severe and extreme weather and storms. Learn more about the timeline and impacts below.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
The choices we make in the next 10 years to reduce our impact are very important in protecting our health and our future. The good news is that we have the solutions today and they don’t need to turn our lives upside down. We have a choice to create a better, safer, healthier future.
What are the impacts from climate change? What is the timeline and when do we need to make changes? Read below to learn more about the timeline and some of the main impacts predicted from climate change.
Learn more about what causes climate change, what it means to our lives and other common questions on the Climate 101 - What & How Action page.
1The Timeline
Climate change is happening faster than predicted even a few years ago. We don’t have 50 or 100 years to address climate change; we need to move forward with solutions now. We need to significantly reduce our impact on climate change in the next 10-20 years.
97% of climate scientists agree that climate change is happening and that we need to take action to reduce our impact. Research indicates that in order to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change, we must keep global temperature increase to less than 3.6°F (2°C) and it would be even safer if we limit increases to 2.7°F (1.5°C). However, we have already warmed the climate by 1.5°F, mostly since 1970. If we don’t make a change, we will pass 3.6°F in 20 years or less. If we continue on our current path, our children in school today will face severe impacts in their lifetime.
In 2016, 195 countries (all countries except Nicaragua and Syria) signed the Paris Agreement, agreeing to the importance of keeping global temperature increases below 3.6°F and committing to work towards this goal. This was an historic and important step forward. However, even with the Paris Agreement signed, the country commitments made so far are not strong enough to reach the goal.
In order to reach the goal of the Paris Agreement and keep warming below 3.6°F (2°C), it will require more than government action; it will require everyone taking part – cities, businesses, organizations and families. The good news is we have solutions and there are many things we can all do, choices we can make, that can make a big difference. The better news is that most of these choices will also improve our health, save money and create jobs. Our community can make a difference, and together we can help build a strong and safe future for our children.
Read on to learn more about the impacts of climate change.