Environmental Issues: Planet in Danger

Explanation: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main human-caused greenhouse gas, primarily from burning fossil fuels. Methane and water vapor also contribute.

Explanation: The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 at COP21, commits 196 countries to limiting global warming well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels.

Explanation: The "7th continent" or "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is an accumulation zone of plastic waste in the North Pacific, three times the size of France.

Explanation: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living beings on Earth: diversity of species, genes and ecosystems.

Explanation: According to scientists, between 150 and 200 species disappear every day, a rate 1000 times higher than the natural extinction rate.

Explanation: China is the world's largest CO2 emitter with about 30% of global emissions, followed by the United States and India.

Explanation: The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, filters harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, thus protecting life on Earth.

Explanation: COP stands for "Conference of the Parties", the signatory countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Explanation: About 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed since 1970, mainly for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation.

Explanation: Hydroelectricity accounts for about 60% of the world's renewable electricity production, thanks to dams and hydroelectric plants.

Explanation: A plastic bottle takes between 400 and 500 years to decompose in nature. It breaks down into microplastics that pollute ecosystems.

Explanation: Transportation accounts for about 30% of GHG emissions in France, ahead of agriculture (19%), industry (18%), and buildings (17%).

Explanation: Sea level rise is caused by the thermal expansion of oceans and the melting of glaciers. It threatens millions of people living on coasts.

Explanation: Greta Thunberg started her school strike for climate in 2018 in front of the Swedish Parliament, inspiring millions of young people worldwide.

Explanation: Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has consumed all the resources that Earth can renew in a year. In 2024, it was August 1st.

Explanation: The polar bear has become the symbol of global warming because its habitat, Arctic sea ice, is rapidly melting.

Explanation: Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice where a company presents itself as environmentally friendly without actually being so.

Explanation: The European Union has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal.

Explanation: Sea turtles are very vulnerable to plastic straws and bags which they confuse with jellyfish. A viral video of a turtle with a straw in its nose raised awareness worldwide.

Explanation: Carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an activity, product or person.