Climate Change: Definition, Causes & Global Trends

● Climate change refers to long-term alterations in global temperature and weather patterns.
● Historically influenced by natural factors such as volcanic activity and solar cycles. However, since the 19th century, human driven factors have since become the dominant cause through the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These greenhouse gases then trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming.
● The Earth’s surface has warmed by approximately 1.2°C since the late 19th century, making it the warmest in 100,000 years. Current warming is occurring at a rate unprecedented in Earth’s recent geological history. Impacts on Australia: Our Animals, Veterinary Practice and Care
● Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate variability. At the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015, Australia’s commitments include:
- Achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 (based on
2005 levels).
● Net zero involves balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removals via
natural (e.g., forests, oceans) and technological means. Current emissions
exceed the Earth’s capacity to absorb them, necessitating significant
reductions in fossil fuel use and systemic changes across industries.
● Climate change alters disease patterns by influencing host, vector, and
pathogen dynamics as stressed animals are more susceptible to infection and causes shifts in vector distribution (e.g., mosquitoes, rats) due to warming and precipitation patterns.
Climate Care Program (CCP)
● The CCP is an online educational initiative for veterinary professionals,
promoting environmentally sustainable clinical practice with the aim of
reaching net zero.
● Program modules include:
- Waste reduction
- Water conservation
- Energy efficiency
- Integration of renewable power
- Sustainable procurement
- Environmentally responsible healthcare