Climate crisis

The climate crisis, also referred to as the climate emergency, is the long-term increase in the Earth's average surface temperature and the wide-ranging disruption it causes. It is driven primarily by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and intensive agriculture. According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), human influence has warmed the planet by roughly 1.1 to 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and 2024 was the warmest year on record, the first calendar year more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline.

What causes the climate crisis

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth habitable. Gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) trap part of the heat radiated from the surface, preventing it from escaping into space. Without this effect, the planet's average temperature would be far colder.

However, human activities have sharply increased the concentration of these gases, intensifying the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming. Burning fossil fuels for energy, transport and industry is the leading source of CO2 emissions, while deforestation, agriculture and livestock farming add further GHGs.

The role of human activities

The IPCC, the leading scientific authority on the subject, has concluded that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. This has raised global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Consequences of the climate crisis

Rising sea levels

Warming melts glaciers and ice sheets and causes the thermal expansion of seawater, raising sea levels. This threatens coastal communities, infrastructure and ecosystems, increasing the risk of flooding, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies.

Extreme weather events

The climate crisis intensifies heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms. These events have severe impacts on communities, agriculture, infrastructure and economies, causing loss of life, material damage and displacement.

Biodiversity loss

Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation and ocean acidification threaten the survival of many species, disrupt ecosystems and undermine food security and human health.

Resource scarcity

The crisis can worsen shortages of water and food. Droughts, floods and altered rainfall affect agricultural production, while rising seas threaten freshwater sources.

Mitigation and adaptation

Mitigation: reducing GHG emissions

Mitigation focuses on cutting emissions by:

• Transitioning to renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal.
• Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transport and industry.
• Adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Protecting and restoring forests and other carbon sinks.

Adaptation: adjusting to climate impacts

Adaptation involves measures to prepare for impacts and reduce vulnerability, such as:

• Building resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather.
• Managing water resources for both conservation and flood risk.
• Adapting agricultural practices to greater climate variability.
• Using urban planning to address climate challenges.

Legal frameworks and international agreements

Paris Agreement

Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. It provides the global framework for mitigation, adaptation and climate finance. Its membership continues to evolve: the United States, for instance, completed a withdrawal that took effect in January 2026, while the agreement remains the central reference for international climate action.

Kyoto Protocol

Adopted in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol committed developed countries to reduce their GHG emissions. Although its commitment periods have ended, it laid the foundations for international cooperation on climate change.

Addressing the climate crisis means measuring emissions, setting science-based reduction targets and reporting progress transparently. At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.