2. Climate Change and Global Warming

The chapter begins by defining climate change and global warming, emphasizing the role of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in driving these phenomena. It highlights the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change. The greenhouse effect is explained, illustrating how human activities have intensified this natural process, leading to global warming. The historical context of climate change research is explored, from Svante Arrhenius' early theories to the Keeling Curve, which documented the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. The chapter examines international efforts to mitigate climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, noting the challenges and successes of these initiatives. It also discusses the scientific consensus on anthropogenic global warming, supported by paleoclimatological evidence and the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report. The chapter concludes with an analysis of global energy consumption patterns, emphasizing the dominance of fossil fuels and the need for alternative energy sources to achieve significant GHG emission reductions. Additionally, it touches on the unique challenges posed by international shipping emissions, setting the stage for a detailed discussion in the subsequent chapter.