Climate change
Understanding Climate Change:
An Overview:
Climate change is defined as major, persistent changes in climate
systems across the globe including rising temperatures, unpredictable
weather conditions as well as fluctuating sea levels. Although climate
change on the Earth has been temperatures have changed throughout the
existence of the planet: however the recent changes differ significantly by
the rate a scale and primarily caused by human action.
What Is Climate Change?
The variations which occur in the climate over an extended period are
movements in temperature, precipitation and wind direction. These
modifications on the planet have over time been caused by natural
events such as volcanic activities and the solar change. but other human
interventions like use of fossil energy and felling of trees have
tremendously enhanced these changes.
Causes of Climate Change:
The principal origin of contemporary climatic change is the enhanced
concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. CO₂,
CH₄ and N₂O all absorb infrared radiation and therefore exert a
‘greenhouse effect’ which leads to global warming. The emission of GHG
has been enhanced by industrial growth, horticulture, and energy
production activities.
The need for Climate Change Mitigations:
The impact of climate change include drought, flooding, hurricanes,
hurricanes, sea level rise, and an intervention in ecosystems. If ignored,
climate change has potentially disastrous consequences for other species,
people’s well-being, and national and global economies. Unfortunately,
there has never been clearer evidence of climate change risks than we
currently observe; this article thus acknowledges the importance of
minimizing climate change to safeguard the planet for the generations to
come. Climate change science defines the structure and processes that
regulate Earth’s climate, as well as the ways in which people affect it. The
basic concept is the greenhouse effect that is an acting of gases in the
earth’s troposphere that warms the planet.
Greenhouse gases and greenhouse effect:
Green house gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) methane
(CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are natural products that help regulate
the planet’s average temperature. Nonetheless, industrial outputs and
emissions from fossil fuel usage have raised elevated levels of GHGs,
exacerbating the greenhouse effect, and global warming.
Measuring Climate Change:
Geologists look at climate change by using physical evidence from ‘freeze
frame’ look at climate history from ice cores, tree rings and ocean
sediment. Some types of measurements are currently used: concentration
of atmospheric GHGs, temperature records, satellite data revealing
consistent warming.
Climate Models and Forecasting:
Climate models refer to elaborate computer analyses of future climate
that takes into account current climate information and changes in
emissions. These models further supported by observation suggest that if
emissions of the GHGs are high, global temperatures are also likely to be
high and this is likely to provoke severe environmental and social
implications. It assists in preventing the kind of Global risks required by
understanding this science to prevent future threats.
Natural Climate Drivers:
Some of the natural causes of climate change are; volcanic activity, sun
activity and ocean circulation patterns. A part from polluting the
atmosphere with particles and gases, volcanic eruptions contribute to a
temporary cooling of the planet by preventing the penetration of the sun’s
rays. Other climate factors include cycles concerning the flip-flop in the
intensity of energy from the sun with an effect on temperatures at the
global level. Furthermore, Sea currents such as the El Niño-Southern
Oscillation affecting regional climate hence temperature changes.
Anthropogenic Climate Indicators:
Current climate change has mainly been attributed to human interactions
with the environment. When fossil energy sources – coal, oil and natural
gas- are burnt to produce energy, different GHGs including CO₂ and
methane are let out to the atmosphere. It cut the number of trees that
remove CO₂, hence increasing concentration in the atmosphere of other
manmade GHGs. Several industrial processes and farm activities release
very powerful GHGs that contribute towards greenhouse effect.
Natural and Human Impacts of the Forest change:
Though there are fluctuation which are may be caused by natural factors
which affects the climate, the current changes are as a result of human
activities that has led to increase in global temperatures. MORE OF THE
OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE ADDS THAT MOST OF THE WARMING
THAT IS EXPERIENCED IN THE CURRENT PERIOD IS BY HUMAN
ACTIVITIES – IPCC It is for this reason that much more restrictive
measures for emissions and transition to less dangerous practices are
called for to avoid further warming.
Greenhouse Gases:
How They Influence the Planet?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) play an important role of maintaining the
temperatures in the earth. They include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, and water vapour. These gases retain heat within the Earth’s
atmosphere as they act like a layer of glass that enclose a greenhouse to
warm the plants growing inside it.
The Greenhouse Effect Explained:
Spectrum radiation is divided into two; one part is utilized to warm the
surface of the earth and the other part rebounds back in to space. One of
the things that GHs do, is that they trap part of this reflected energy to
ensure that it does not go back to warm up the atmosphere. What
happens if this natural greenhouse effect is lost? Imagine how cold the
Earth would be to accommodate most of the known life forms.
Impacts of Persons on Greenhouse Gases:
Human activities have raised GHG concentrations to higher levels and
enhanced the effect of green house gases. Making use of fossil fuels for
energy, power and heating and clearing of forests and other natural
vegetation discharges large amounts of CO₂; agriculture and waste emit
methane and nitrous oxide. This distribution focuses more of the GHG
which in return intensifies the heat trapping which causes global
warming.
Repercussions of a Stepped up Greenhouse Effect:
The concentration of greenhouse gases make the global temperatures
to rise, more incidences of vane weather, and interferences with
ecosystems. Reducing greenhouse gases is central to mitigation of
Climate change and its consequences; therefore, reduction of GHG is a
priority in climate change mitigation strategies.
The Effect of Climate Change on the Climate:
In recent years, higher sensitivity to regularly changing climate has been
realized and the newest data evidenced that climate change changing
weather conditions all over the world. Firstly, climate change is the
alteration of the changes in the systems that support weather patters
mostly through increased temperatures in the world’s atmosphere and
seas.
Alert: More extreme weather events around the world
As you are probably well aware, climate change has a direct effect on the
frequency of which extreme events occur. It is well known that heat
waves become more frequent as well as more long-lasting, while
drought extends across more territories. This warming also extends
cyclones meaning that hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones become even
stronger because the warm ocean feeds the energy.
Shift in Rainfall Characteristics:
The change in climate affects the amount of rainfall, some areas
receive enhanced rainfall, and flooding while other areas lack rainfall,
and are dry. Changes in rainfall interfere with availability of water,
food production and conservation of ecosystems hence food security
and income.
Periodical and geographical changes:
Global warming is bringing climate change where winters are shorter
and warmer while summers are longer and warmer. They are relevant to
ecosystems, agriculture and human health and the extent to which they
prepare to respond to in specific regions that are in for a change. In
order to reduce these kinds of disruptions and keep the world’s climate
more stable they must begin addressing the problem of global climate
change.
Effects include:
Increased Sea Level and Coastal Erosion:
Increased sea level is among the three most evident signs of climate
change and the one people get to experience first-hand. Rising
temperatures press on for global warming and rise in sea levels since ice
sheets and glaciers turn into water and fill the seas. Also, water heats up
and thus occupies a larger volume, and this has accelerated the levels of
sea strand rising.
Causes of Rising Sea Levels:
Two main factors contribute to sea level rise: the loss of land ice,
glaciers or ice sheets as well as thermal expansion, where the ocean
water itself grows warmer and takes up more space. The global
warming, caused by the action of human being, increases both actions,
resulting in sea level rise of a faster and higher degree.
Effects on Coastal Erosion:
Rising sea levels trigger coastal erosion where waves and tide have the
impact of eroding coastlines. Seasiders especially those in the coastal
areas and lowlands suffer from apparent flooding, shoreline erosion, and
absolute loss of land. This is very dangerous to communities,
infrastructure and ecosystems that depend on a sound coastline.
Social-Ecological Consequences:
Seas levels and coastal erosion affect the marine ecosystem, people
and their property in form of coastal structures and other properties such
as roads, buildings and harbors. Small island states and cities are at the
greatest risk and that makes sea level rise a high importance for decision
makers and climate mitigation across the globe.
These two include: Global Warming and Extinction of Species.
Global climate change is probably one of the most synchronized
processes causing reduction of the biochemical diversities all over the
global environment. Climate change raises the bar on temperatures,
shifts in the climate pattern cause changes and natural disasters exert
immense pressure on the homes of many thousands of plant and Animal
species.
Bio communities and food pyramids upset due to
climate changings:
Climate change brings changes in the availability of food and different
phenomena such as flowering or migration, for example. If species
cannot adapt to these changes then the outcome maybe starvation or a
low reproduction rate. This distorts entire food chains eradicating one
species and indirectly affecting those that rely on the identified species.
Chance Of Going Extinct:
Some can barely adapt to changing climate conditions and they therefore
become extinct. Climate change driven degradation often undermines
ecosystem integrity, dissolves processes and metadata vital to humanity,
why climate action is pivotal for there to be effective biodiversity
conservation.
Global warming presents massive risks and threats when it comes to
economic health of businesses, occupations and the global economy at
large. These negative impacts of climate change include increased
frequency of natural occurrences such as enhancing the impact of
storms, changing the pattern of crop production cycles and damaging
financial market systems.
The cost of damage of infrastructure and property:
This means that disasters including hurricanes, floods and wild fires are
destructive events to infrastructure including the roads, buildings, power
and light, and transport systems. The expenses incurred in
reconstructing and rehabilitating such structures thus come at the
expense of the nation and private coffers crowding other exigent
necessities hence imposing long-term fiscal consequences.
Agricultural Disruptions:
Climate change causes an alteration of temperature regimes and
rainfall; thus, output of crops is low due to reduced farming
productivity. Weather changes such as drought, floods, and change in
growing seasons affect food production, supplies food prices and food
security. This hurts the lives of farmers and supply chains from a global
perspective, countries with agrarian economies being an example.
Return on the Health Investment:
Cost of Health and Productivity Loss:
Global warming leads to the occurrence of diseases like heat stroke,
respiratory tract infections and infection diseases. They further come
alongside costs of healthcare and productivity losses relating to illnesses
and even harsh climate vagaries. Mitigation of these impacts calls for
massive commitment towards the enhancement of facilities that deal with
public health and the integration of adaptative measures.
These economic losses show how crucial it is for countries to change
unsustainable practices about their economy and apply good climate
policies to prevent subsequent consequences.
Health Consequences of Climate Change:
Climate change represents a threat to people’s health as it amplifies current
diseases and emerges with new threats. Difference in temperature and
weather differences determine why some diseases develop and why
individuals receive poor medical results.
A higher prevalence of heat illness:
This is because a higher proportion of the population is vulnerable to heat
waves due to frequent occurrence of hot day’s globally as a result of global
warming. They identified vulnerable groups, the elderly, children and
people with a pre- existing health condition as being most affected.
Contagious Diseases:
Seasonal change affects the spread and growth of infectious diseases
through increasing the geographical distribution of disease vectors including
mosquitoes and ticks. Viruses like malaria, dengue, and Lyme diseases
are on the increase in areas that used to record low or no instances of such
diseases because of Increased temperatures and changes in precipitation.
Air Quality and Lung related Problems:
Temperature rise and enhanced pollution reduce air quality, and this
makes conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or other lung diseases
worse. Long term effects of air pollution are that people suffer from
chronic diseases and have higher death rates.
Mental Health Impacts:
Other causes of stress and anxiety include displacement through natural
disasters occasioned by climate change. In the same respect, more
extended exposure to volatility fosters prolonged psychological impacts
connected to an unpredictable surrounding in the case of frequent
severe episodes in concern jurisdictions.
Climate change highly impacts food security as it affects production or
sourcing and accessibility of the food in the world. Higher temperatures,
new unstable weather conditions, and overall shifts in weather increase
issues on farming at both basic and industrial relevant levels.
Impact on Crop Yields:
Rising climatic factors influence crop development and yield. Variations of
precipitation such as drought and floods affect the yields and
simultaneous, fluctuations of temperature are not also favorable for plants.
Essential foods such as wheat, rice, maize are significantly affected with
temperature changes affecting food security.
Changes in Food Supply System:
Food delivery networks are affected: Hurricane, floods and Wild fires
brought by climate changes affect food transport and distribution
channels. They result in food scarcity crises, high costs and they deny the
restricted access to the necessities; these are usual in needy zones.
Threats to Livestock and Fisheries:
Climate change impacts on animal production through increasing
temperatures that can impact on the health of their animals and animals
depending feed and other inputs thus reducing milk, meat, egg and sales.
That is one important aspect of the human society; in fisheries, warming
oceans and acidification affect fish stock and feed the millions depending
on the fish for food and income.
Sepentagon Hunger and Malnutrition:
The case of climate change increases poverty and food shortage
especially to the developing countries. When there is less food and food
gets expensive, many people go hungry and get sick, making their
sickness a long-term problem. To deal with these challenges, resilience
measures together with risk reduction measures in agricultural and food
issues are still necessary.
Climate Change:
Myths vs. Facts
Some of the biggest myths about climate change are too numerous to
mention, but the following are truths. It is useful to be clear about these
differences in order to be able to take action appropriately.
Myth: Climate Change Is Not Real; It Is just Another Cycle.
Fact: Although the climate of Earth has changed naturally for thousands
of years, the observed warming is primarily anthropogenic in origin,
including the use of fossil fuels and large scale logging.
Myth: Climate Change Doesn’t Affect Me
Fact: Weather change impacts everybody. Increasing instances of
violent storms, heat waves, precipitation cycles, relative rises in sea levels,
and changes to the climate that affect agriculture impact food availability,
well being, and the global economy.
Myth: It’s Impossible to Change
Fact: There are actually numerous measures which include the use of
renewable energy sources and energy conservation, afforestation, etc. By
making global concerted efforts, future impacts can certainly be minimized
and in some cases mitigated.
Myth: It is worthwhile to point out that the Science claimed to explain
Climate Change is uncertain.
Fact: As gathered from previous literatures, there is general scientific
evidence to support the fact that climate change is happening, hastened
by human activities and exerting threatening impacts on environmental
structures, human health and economies.
The Future of Our Planet:
A Call to Action:
The nature and state of our planet is now on a very important decision.
Carbon dioxide released through human activities is now altering the
climate of the planet, the economy and life as we know it. If man goes on
in this way, he shall not escape difficult and hitherto unforeseen
phenomena with regard to the coming society of the future, which are of
the environmental and social type.
The Urgency of Climate Active Interventions:
We know what has to be done to reverse climate change and now simply,
we have to do it. The longer the world waits to act on climate change, the
worse impacts will become: the level of the sea will increase, storms more
intense and frequent, there will be famine and many forms of animals will
be threatened or will disappear entirely. Science as we alluded to earlier
simply states that business as usual cannot work in terms of averages, if
we want to get back to safe temperature levels big and fast cuts are
required.
Sustainable Solutions for Future:
Such as use of renewable energy, use of sustainable methods to
undertake agriculture, afforestation and improved waste management, will
help curb emissions. Further, there is need for governments to come up
with economic laws that promote environmental friendly technology and
techniques of development.
A Collective Effort:
Similar to that, it is self-evident that it is possible to solve the phenomenon
of climate change only through an organized effort. If ever there was such
a menace averted, every man, woman, and child; families; groups and
entire nations have mores to cover. Here one will fully support the notion
addressing as we improve a certain level of understanding and perception
one is free to vote or even lobby for the desirable climate policy and
dominate the regulating powers as and when required. We need to act
now as it is in our interest of what type of future we are going to create.
