ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Environmental Pollution - Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate change is a global challenge that has no borders, and to
combat it requires coordinated work by all countries. Global warming
is the cause of climate change. When the planet's temperature rises
more than it would naturally, the climate changes. The global
temperature increase brings disastrous consequences, endangering the
survival of the Earth’s flora and fauna, including human beings.
Although it is certain that Earth has naturally warmed up and gotten
colder during other eras, such cycles have always been much slower,
taking millions of years, whereas now, within a period of just 200
years, we are reaching levels that in the past brought about
extinctions.
Causes of Climate Change
Global warming is the primary contributor to climate
change, and it has a number of negative effects on physical
and biological systems.
Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, a
natural process by which the atmosphere retains some of
the sun’s heat, allowing the Earth to maintain the necessary
conditions to host life. Without the greenhouse effect, the
average temperature of the planet would be -180oC.
The problem is that because of daily human activities, the
greenhouse effect is increased, further raising the planet's
temperature.
Causes of Global Warming
1. Increase in Greenhouse Gases -
i. Carbon dioxide is caused by the burning of mainly fossil fuels in electricity generation, transport,
heating, industry, and construction.
ii. Methane is a primary component of natural gas. Methane is also a greenhouse gas, so its presence
in the atmosphere affects the earth's temperature and climate system. Methane is emitted from
livestock, and waste tips.
iii. Nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas," is the third most significant greenhouse gas after
methane and carbon dioxide caused by excess use of fertilizers and other industrial activity.
iv. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) gases replacing CFCs are harmless to the ozone layer, but their
global warming potential is thousands of times that of carbon dioxide.
2. Deforestation - Forests are natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis and returning
oxygen to the atmosphere. When forests are cut down, much of the carbon that has been stored there is
once again released as CO2 into the atmosphere. This is how forest degradation and deforestation affect
global warming.
3. Population Increase - Emissions of greenhouse gases, which affect the climate, tend to rise as a result
of population growth and rising consumption. Almost all of the rise in greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere over the past 150 years can be attributed to human activity. Burning fossil fuels for
transportation, heat, and power is the main cause of human-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Consequences of Climate Change
1. Change in ecosystem - More frequent and intense droughts, heat waves, rising sea levels, and warming
oceans can directly harm animals, destroy ecosystems, and disrupt food chains in which they live.
2. Rising sea levels - The worst climate change impacts include the melting of the ice at the poles, which in
turn causes rising sea levels, producing flooding and threatening coastal environments through which
small island states risk disappearing entirely.
3. Extreme weather phenomena - Scientific studies indicate that extreme weather events such as heat
waves, droughts, fires, floods, and large storms are likely to become more frequent or more intense with
climate change.
4. Destruction of marine ecosystem - The oceans are also carbon sinks, absorbing up to 50% of CO2.
Ocean acidification is expected to have negative overall effects on many marine species. This could alter
marine food chains and the food supply for humans.
5. Extinction of Species - The most serious consequences of climate change are the global rise in
temperature and how it affects various animal species all over the world. Every year, hundreds of species
are diminishing due to the global temperature increase.
6. Climate refugees - The term "climate refugees" was first used to describe the increasing large-scale
migration and cross-border mass movements of people that were partly caused by weather-related
disasters. The number of climate refugees is estimated to reach one billion by 2050.
How can we Avoid Climate Change?
1. Renewable Energies - The first way to prevent climate change is to move away from
fossil fuels. What are the alternatives? Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass
and geothermal.
2. Energy Efficiency - Producing clean energy is essential, but reducing our
consumption of energy and water by using more efficient devices. e.g. LED light bulbs,
innovative shower system is less costly and equally important.
3. Sustainable Transportation - Promoting public transportation, carpooling, but also
electric and hydrogen mobility, can definitely help reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight
global warming.
4. Sustainable Infrastructure - In order to reduce the CO2 emissions from buildings -
caused by heating, air conditioning, hot water or lighting - it is necessary both to build
new low energy buildings, and to renovate the existing constructions.
5. Sustainable Agriculture & Forest Management - Encouraging better use of natural
resources, stopping massive deforestation as well as making agriculture greener and
more efficient should also be a priority.
6. Responsible Consumption & Recycling - Adopting responsible consumption habits
is crucial, be it regarding food (particularly meat), clothing, cosmetics or cleaning
products. Last but not least, recycling is an absolute necessity for dealing with waste.
Question
Part A
1. What is climate change?
2. What is the main causes of climate change?
3. What is greenhouse effect?
4. What are greenhouse gases? List four gases that cause greenhouse effects.
5. How does forests help in reducing global warming?
6. How is population increase responsible for global warming?
7. How can renewable energy help fight climate change?
8. Who are climate refugees?
Part B
1. What are the four main causes of global warming?
2. What are the consequences of climate change?
3. How can we mitigate the effects of climate change?
Part C
1. Write an essay on climate change.
Climate refugee
