Climate Facts: 60% methane emissions caused by human activities, says NASA

The complexities of climate change and its associated jargon can prove difficult to digest. TheCable’s climate quick facts will help to demystify these climate concepts through easy-to-understand and straight-to-the-point explanations.

Here are some to keep at the tip of your fingers:

The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) says climate change directly impacts forests through changes in temperature and rain — affecting carbon storage, roots, soil and tree growth.

The agency added that this affects the life cycle of a tree, causing increased outbreaks of pests and plant disease, thereby affecting surrounding wildlife and the production of forest products for human consumption. 

Climate change exacerbates inequalities. The United Nations Women ( UN Women) says women are not able to withstand climate change due to limited access to basic environmental goods and services and limited participation in decision-making.

It said most women in third world countries who depend on agriculture, work harder to secure resources for their families during periods of drought and erratic rainfall. 

The organisation noted that empowering women and girls is crucial for sustainable development and gender equality.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says about 60 percent of methane emissions are caused by human activities.

The organisation said the concentration of methane in the atmosphere has doubled over the past 200 years and is responsible for 20 to 30 percent of climate warming.