Republic of the Philippines
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY
Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
R.T. Lim Blvd., Zamboanga City
GE 117 Course Pack
Date Document No. ZPPSU –
GE 117 Developed: LM2020
CODE 08-31-2021 Issued by: APPROVED
ZPPSU-DME
Date Revised:
Science, Technology 08-31-2021
and Society Prepared by:
COURSE TITLE ENGR. EMELYN K. ABAO
ROSALIE R. BAGUIO
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VISION MISSION INSTITUTIONAL CORE VALUES
ZPPSU as the leading provider of Provide effective and OUTCOMES Love of God;
globally competitive human efficient services through Globally competitive Social Responsibility;
resources. advance technological graduates who can perform Commitment/
studies and researches for advanced Dedication to the
the empowerment of the technological competencies Service; and
nation’s human resources. in their field of specialization. Accountability
FOCUS LESSON / IMPORTANT CONCEPT
1. The Earth's climate
2. Causes of Climate Change
3. Effects of Climate Change
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The students will be able to:
1. Identify the causes of climate change
2. Assess the various impacts of climate change including economic,
geopolitical, biological, meteorological, etc.
3. Apply STS concepts to the issue of climate change
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Module 11
Climate Change
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The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last
650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat,
with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago marking the
beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. Most of
these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit
that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.
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Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a
defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food
production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic
flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and
unprecedented in scale. Without drastic action today, adapting to these
impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly.
Causes of Climate Change
1.The Greenhouse Effect
The warming of our atmosphere is actually happening because the
atmosphere is continuing to trap the heat that radiates from the earth and
traps it between earth and space. There are gases that can play a part in the
greenhouse effect, and most of these gases will actually block the heat. This
is what happens to force climate change, and this is the part that we can’t
do that much about- other than going green.
2. Greenhouse Gases
Here are a few of the gases that can play a part in climate change.
First, you will find water vapor. This is the most abundant gas that plays a
part in the Greenhouse Effect. It increases because the earth is getting
warmer, and it also makes more clouds and precipitation.
Carbon dioxide also plays an important role, even though it is one of
the more minor components in our atmosphere. It can be found through a
variety of different processes, including respiration, volcanic activity,
deforestation, fossil fuel burning, and others. The carbon dioxide that is
found in our atmosphere continues to increase, making the climate change
much more prominent these days than before.
3.Volcanic Eruptions
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A volcano releases a large amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2), water
vapor, dust, and ash into the atmosphere when it erupts. These large
volumes of gases and ash can trigger climate change by increasing
planetary reflectivity causing atmospheric cooling. Aerosols are tiny particles
that are produced by volcanoes. Aerosols remain in the atmosphere for only
a few days and reflect solar energy back into space they have a cooling
effect on the world.
4. Ocean Currents
Variations in ocean currents can also influence climate change for
short periods of time. Ocean currents move vast amounts of heat across the
planet. Movement of cold water deep under the oceans towards the regions
near the equator and movement of warm water near the equator back
towards the pole play an important role in determining the atmospheric
concentration of CO2.
5. Solar Radiations
The sun is the ultimate source of supply of energy for the earth’s
climate system. A small change in the output of the sun’s energy can
influence climate change. These changes include changes within the sun
and changes in Earth’s orbit. Changes occurring in the sun can cause
climate to become warmer during periods of stronger solar intensity and
cool during periods of weaker solar intensity.
Studies suggest that solar variations have played a role in past climate
change. For example, the period between approximately 1650 and 1850 is
known as “Little Ice Age” which may have been partially caused by low solar
activity.
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6. Earth Orbital Changes
A slight change in the tilt of the earth can lead to climatic changes.
While less tilt means cooler summers and milder winters; more tilt means
warmer summers and colder winters. These small and slow changes can
lead to important changes in the strength of the seasons over tens of
thousands of years.
Effects of Climate Change
Climate change can really have a lot of negative consequences. It is
important to do something about it to help decrease the amount of change
that occurs and make it not happen so fast. At some point, the earth will be
too hot for people to live comfortably if we don’t make some changes. It is
already having an impact on the plant and animal life, and if you really don’t
want to see it get much worse- it is time to go green.
1. Change in Rainfall Patterns
In the last couple of decades, excess rainfall, droughts, hurricanes and
floods have become quite frequent. While few areas experience plenty of
rainfall, then there are areas that face droughts throughout the year.
2. Depletion of Arctic Ice
The greenhouse effect is necessary for all of us to survive on this
planet but an increase in greenhouse gases causes the temperature to rise
which can result in harmful effects to the ecology and environment. The
increase in temperature of the atmosphere has resulted in the shrinking of
Arctic ice.
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3. Wildfires
The hot and dry conditions cause wildfires to spread across dense
forests and make it a perfect recipe for disaster. They not only reduce green
cover but also push forest animals towards higher altitudes. Animals that
could not survive become extinct and gets their name registered in the list
of endangered species.
4. Heat Waves
The large amount of greenhouse gases released from industries,
vehicles, agricultural activities increases the concentration of CO2 and heats
up the atmosphere. The increased temperature then cause heat waves and
makes it difficult for people to survive.
5. Loss of Wildlife Species
Wildfires, deforestation, shifting habitat have caused several species
to become extinct, pushed a few of them towards extinction and the rest of
them have migrated to some other place. If experts are to be believed, one-
fourth of Earth’s species could extinct by 2050. In the year 2008, the polar
bear was added to the list of animals that could become extinct due to the
rise in sea level.
6. Rise in Sea Level
Some parts of the earth are going to naturally be warmer than others,
but as the climate changes that means that so will these areas. Warmer
conditions may also lead to other areas not getting enough precipitation,
and even some areas that may get more than they should. It will also cause
parts of glaciers to melt, which could lead to flooding in certain areas and
could make the sea levels rise.
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7. Shifting Habitat
Prolonged heat waves, deforestation, wildfires, high temperatures
have pushed plants and animals towards higher altitudes. The worst part is
that most of them are not able to survive due to changing climatic
conditions and have moved more towards extinction.
8. High Temperatures
The continuous increases of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere
has caused the temperature to rise which is called a greenhouse effect.
Though the greenhouse effect is necessary for the survival of all of us on
this planet but an increase of these gases beyond a limit will only create
harmful effects for us and this environment. During the last century, earth’s
average temperature rose by 1 degree Fahrenheit which in itself is a cause
of concern.
ABSTRACTION
We are facing global issues which is climate change. It is
referred as important climate change persevering for an broadened
period of time. The constant climate change can carry radical
outcomes to living and nonliving forms on the earth.
Causes of climate change include aspects like natural process
and continual mankind activities. One major effect of climate change is
global warming that threatens all forms in the earth. It has radical
effects on the ecosystem, water, food, health and land use.
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FINAL TERM EXAMINATION
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