Climate Change

Scientists in the United States and the world have reached an overwhelming consensus that climate change is real and caused primarily by human activity. Respected scientific organizations such as the National Academy of Science, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Meteorological Association (WMO) have all identified climate change as an urgent threat caused by humans that must be addressed.

“The need for urgent action to address climate change is now indisputable.”

— National Academy of Science

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, to generate energy has the greatest impact on the atmosphere than any other single human activity. Globally, power generation is responsible for about 23 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions per year – in excess of 700 tonnes every second. Coal is especially damaging to our atmosphere, releasing 70% more carbon dioxide than natural gas for every unit of energy produced.

To avoid the worst consequences of climate change, we need to dramatically reduce the world’s carbon emissions. But we must also prepare for the significant changes in weather that the world is presently experiencing because of the pollution already in the atmosphere. Around the globe WWF works with local communities, governments and others to help nature and people successfully adapt to a changing climate. WWF prepares communities around the globe for climate change. To do this we:

• Help communities in the Eastern Himalayas adapt to increasing water scarcity by collecting rainwater and promoting drought-resistant crops
• Restore mangrove forests in Coastal East Africa to buffer shorelines from storm erosion
• Protect coral reefs in the Coral Triangle to build their resilience against bleaching events
• Identify areas where polar bears can live on solid Arctic sea ice for decades to come
• Help farmers protect their crops from severe rainfall and droughts in the Amazon

Forests are home to many of the world’s most endangered wildlife. They also protect the planet by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), a major source of pollution that causes climate change. WWF fights climate change by saving forests. To do this we:

• Ensure that global climate change agreements reduce forest destruction and degradation and protect wildlife
• Work directly with countries, especially developing ones, to protect forests and benefit the livelihoods of local communities
• Use satellite images and aerial mapping technologies to track illegal logging
• Study the vulnerability of forests to climate change and explore ways to help them adapt

Government must play a central role to tackle the climate crisis. WWF is an advocate at all levels of government. In the United States, WWF works to advance policies that reduce carbon pollution, support clean energy technologies, prepare for the effects of climate change, and curb deforestation. At international negotiations, WWF encourages the United States to play a constructive role in developing global climate agreements that:

• Substantially reduce carbon pollution to avoid the worst consequences of climate change
• Provide financial support to developing countries so people and nature can successfully adapt
• Combat forest destruction and protect wildlife that live there
• Help transition developing countries to clean energy sources like wind and solar

Businesses have a responsibility to reduce their contribution to climate change. WWF works in partnership with companies as part of WWF’s Climate Savers Program to set and meet goals to reduce carbon emissions, advance projects to protect their resources from climate impacts, and ensure the sustainability of their core business.