Ali Naqvi ES1900 December 5, 2022 Climate Change Climate change is undoubtedly the most pressing issue of recent times. It is caused by the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's temperature to rise. The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation, which removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The consequences of climate change are wide-ranging and can have significant impacts on the environment, economy, and human health. Some of the potential consequences of climate change include rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns, impact on ecosystems, economic impacts. “The world is now about 1.1C warmer than it was in the 19th Century – and the amount of CO2 is the atmosphere has risen by 50%” (BBC, 2022) Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, play a crucial role in trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases are present in the Earth's atmosphere naturally, and they help to regulate the temperature of the planet by trapping some of the heat from the sun that would otherwise be lost to space. This process is known as the greenhouse effect, and it is essential for maintaining the Earth's habitability. However, human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, the Earth's temperature has risen, leading to climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, while deforestation removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the air. The greenhouse effect works by absorbing energy from the sun in the form of short-wavelength radiation, such as visible light and ultraviolet radiation. This energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface and is then re-emitted as long-wavelength radiation, such as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, absorb this longwavelength radiation and trap it in the Earth's atmosphere. This trapped heat contributes to the warming of the planet. While the greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining the Earth's habitability, an excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can lead to an overexaggerated greenhouse effect and an increase in global temperatures, which is what we are currently experiencing as a result of climate change. Jameel R. Kaddo writes in their paper Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions, “The emission of greenhouse gases has increased dramatically from the industrial revolution, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels for energy, agriculture, industrial process, and transportation” (Jameel, 2016) Climate change can have significant impacts on global agriculture and food security. Changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and the incidence of extreme weather events can all affect the ability of crops to grow and thrive. Higher temperatures can lead to crop failures due to heat stress and reduced water availability. Drought can also reduce crop yields, as plants need water to grow. On the other hand, too much rainfall or flooding can also be detrimental to crops, as it can lead to soil erosion and the spread of diseases. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and storms, can also disrupt the growing and harvesting of crops, leading to food shortages and price fluctuations. “Warmer temperatures result in warmer water in the oceans. As the result of warmer oceans, hurricanes and tornados become more intense” (Jameel, 2016). In addition to the direct effects on crops, climate change can also have indirect impacts on food security. For example, it can lead to the spread of pests and diseases that can damage crops, or it can alter the distribution and availability of food resources, such as fish and livestock. Climate change has the potential to alter, in agronomically important ways, the current spatial and seasonal patterns of grass forage quality in South African grasslands (Morris, 2022). Climate change can also have a variety of negative impacts on human health. These impacts can be direct, such as the increased risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses due to higher temperatures, or indirect, such as the spread of diseases due to changes in the distribution of vectors (organisms that transmit diseases, such as mosquitoes). There are a variety of efforts underway to address climate change and mitigate its impacts. These efforts include international agreements and initiatives, as well as individual actions that people can take to reduce their own carbon footprint and support the transition to a more sustainable future. One of the main efforts to address climate change at the global level is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was established in 1992. This treaty sets out a framework for international cooperation on climate change, and it has been ratified by nearly all countries in the world. The most well-known initiative under the UNFCCC is the Paris Agreement, Butler writes, “In 2015 the Paris climate change agreement, negotiated by representatives of 196 parties (195 nations and the European Union) committed countries (thus, effectively, civilization), upon ratification, to actions that would seek to restrict average global warming to “well below” 2 °C above “pre-industrial” levels and to “pursue efforts” to limit the rise to 1.5 °C.” (Butler, 2018). The Paris Agreement also sets out a framework for countries to report on their emissions and efforts to reduce them. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change. Many countries and organizations are investing in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies to help meet their climate goals. Improving energy efficiency can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of energy needed to power homes, businesses, and other buildings. This can be achieved through the use of more energy-efficient appliances and buildings, as well as by adopting behaviors and practices that conserve energy. There are also many things that individuals can do to reduce their own carbon footprint and support the transition to a more sustainable future. These actions include reducing energy consumption at home, using public transportation or driving a fuel-efficient vehicle, and supporting companies and organizations that are working to address climate change. There is an urgent need for action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. If left unchecked, climate change is predicted to have serious and potentially catastrophic consequences for the environment, economy, and human health. Butler writes in Climate Change, Health and Existential Risks to Civilization: A Comprehensive Review (1989–2013), “That the health risks from climate change are indeed extraordinarily high was stressed in the 2009 publication of the lengthy (41 page) article by the Lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health Commission, which described climate change as the “biggest global health threat of the 21st century” (Butler, 2018) In addition to mitigation efforts, it is also important to take steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening or that are expected to occur in the future. This may include efforts to protect vulnerable communities and infrastructure from the impacts of extreme weather events, such as floods and storms, and to develop strategies to ensure the continued availability of food and water in the face of changing conditions. Chen writes in their journal Impacts of Climate Change on Sensitive Marine and Extreme Terrestrial Ecosystems “However, due to the long lifetime of these chemicals, we cannot expect a full recovery of the ozone layer until some 30 years later” (Chen, 2021). Hence it is important we prepare ourselves for the effects that we will see regardless of our efforts. While the challenges of addressing climate change are significant, there is also great potential for a positive future if we take decisive action now. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking steps to adapt to a changing climate, we can help to limit the severity of the impacts of climate change and create a more sustainable and resilient future for ourselves and our future generations. References: Butler, C. (2018). Climate change, health and existential risks to civilization: A comprehensive review (1989–2013). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10), 2266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102266 Chen, D. (2021). Impact of climate change on sensitive marine and extreme terrestrial ecosystems: Recent progresses and future challenges. Ambio, 50(6), 1141–1144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01446-1 BBC. (2022, November 2). What is climate change? A really simple guide. BBC News. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment24021772 Morris, C. D., Kirkman, K. P., & Zacharias, P. J. K. (2022). Will the grass be greener on the other side of climate change? https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.04.22.489016
