Climate Change Its Causes And Effects – Climate change is real and the evidence is all around us. Although changes in the Earth’s climate are not new, it is clear that the recent consequences are having a devastating effect on many people, places and wildlife. If you want to know what climate change really is and why it matters, keep reading to learn more about its causes, consequences and practical solutions for prevention.
You’ve probably heard the terms climate change and global warming used interchangeably. Because both describe changes in Earth’s climate. While global warming focuses on an increase in the planet’s average temperature, climate change usually refers to changes in precipitation, wind patterns, and temperatures over a period of time. Measured climate changes can span years, decades, or even millions of years.
Climate Change Its Causes And Effects
Climate change has existed as long as the Earth has existed. This happens anytime the Earth’s weather patterns change and continue for a period of time. This is strikingly evident in the natural cycles of cold and heat. Before human causes began to change the global climate, five main factors interacted to cause climate change. These five elements include: [1]
Pdf) Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, Policy, And Ethics
The American Association for the Advancement of Science stated: “The scientific evidence is clear: global climate change caused by human activity is occurring now and poses an increasing threat to society.” [2]
Greenhouse gases play an important role in Earth’s climate cycles. When sunlight hits a planet, some of the energy is absorbed and the rest of the energy and heat is reflected back into space. Greenhouse gases trap reflected energy in the atmosphere, which is reflected back to Earth and ultimately causes global warming. Various gases play this role, including:[3]
While some greenhouse gases, such as water vapor, occur naturally, others, such as CFCs, are synthetic. CO2 is released into the atmosphere from both natural and man-made causes and is one of the main contributors to climate change. CO2 is increasing at an alarming rate and has the potential to remain in the Earth’s atmosphere for thousands of years if not absorbed by the oceans, land, trees and other sources. [4] However, as CO2 production has steadily increased, the Earth’s natural resources to absorb it have also decreased. This is already happening in many ways, as Euthmia’s resources are disappearing from things like deforestation. Some studies suggest that plants and soils will be able to absorb less CO2 as food continues to warm – possibly further accelerating climate change. [5]
What Is Climate Change? (definition, Causes, And Effects)
Solar activity, as mentioned above, plays an important role in the Earth’s climate. Because the Sun goes through natural cycles that increase and decrease the amount of energy it radiates to Earth, solar activity is unlikely to play a significant role in global warming or climate change. Since scientists began measuring solar energy in our atmosphere, there has been no measurable upward trend.[6]
There are several important ways in which climate change affects agriculture. From deforestation in places like the Amazon to the transportation and livestock needed to support agricultural efforts around the world, agriculture is responsible for a significant portion of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, agriculture is also a sector that is making great strides to become more sustainable. As productivity increases, less carbon is released to produce more food. Agriculture has the ability to act as a carbon sink and can absorb almost the same amount of CO2 as it emits. [7]
Deforestation and climate change often go hand in hand. Climate change not only increases deforestation due to wildfires and other extreme weather events, deforestation is also a major contributor to global warming. According to the Earth Day Network, deforestation is the second largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. [8] Many people and organizations fighting climate change point to reducing deforestation as one of the main issues that must be addressed in order to slow or stop climate change. [9]
Global Warming And Climate Change Effects: Information And Facts
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the largest contributor to climate change in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation. Of these factors, transportation in the form of cars, trucks, ships, trains and airplanes emits the largest percentage of CO2 – accelerating global warming and remaining the leading cause of climate change. [10]
Animal husbandry in the form of cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens plays a major role in climate change, and is linked to many of the agriculture and deforestation issues we have already touched on. According to the study Livestock and Climate Change, worldwide livestock is responsible for 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions. [11]
From melting glaciers to extreme weather patterns, people everywhere are beginning to care about the real consequences of climate change. While some countries around the world are taking action through initiatives like the Paris Climate Agreement, others are continuing business as usual – pumping millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year. Although the long-term consequences remain to be shown, for now climate change is causing severe climate, security and economic challenges globally.
Climate Change Effects, Causes And Solutions
Climate change is probably the most noticeable effect of climate change on the average person. One reason for this is the economic impact that extreme climate change can have. There were six weather disasters in the US in 2019, most of which cost more than $1 billion. [12] According to the National Climate Assessment, extreme weather events will continue to increase in frequency and severity as climate change continues. [13] Extreme climates affected by climate change include:
In 2014, the US Department of Defense released a report stating that climate change poses a serious and immediate threat to national security. According to former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, “Increasing global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events will exacerbate the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict.” [14]
In addition, climate change is likely to create economic challenges in many countries around the world. By some estimates, the US already spends $240 billion a year on human-caused climate change, and future costs are expected to be even higher. [15] However, given the staggering costs of losing natural resources such as clean air and water, it is difficult to accurately estimate the true cost of climate change.
Climate Change In A Nutshell: The Causes And Effects Of Global Warming, Simply Put
The long-term impact of climate change will be absolutely devastating for the planet and everyone who lives on it. If the world continues on its current path, we will continue to experience increasing effects in our daily lives.
There are many ways in which climate change affects human health. Climate change is already affecting the health of many people, depending on age, location and economic status, and is expected to affect more than a million. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health risks associated with climate change may include: [16]
Ecosystems are interconnected networks of organisms that support all types of plant and biological life. Climate change is already altering seasonal weather patterns and disrupting food supplies for plants and animals around the world, leading to mass extinction events. Some studies estimate that nearly 30% of plant and animal species are at risk of extinction if global warming continues. [17]
Climate Change Is Already Here. You Have One Last Chance To Stop It
Climate change will have significant impacts on food and water supplies. Harsh weather and increased temperatures will limit crop productivity and increase water demand. With demand for food increasing by 70% by 2050, the problem will only get worse. [18]
Sea level rise can have far-reaching effects on coastal cities and habitats. Rising ocean temperatures and melting ice sheets are steadily contributing to global sea level rise. At current rates, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that sea levels will rise at least 8 inches by 2100, potentially causing flooding and loss of marine and wetland ecosystems. [19]
Contributing to sea level rise, shrinking ice sheets present their own unique set of problems, including rising global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. Climate Change Summer melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets has increased by about 30% since 1979.
Causes And Effects Of The Climate Change
One of the main ways of absorbing CO2 is the ocean. While this may seem positive at first glance, human-caused increases in CO2 are pushing the world’s oceans to their limits and increasing acidity. When ocean pH levels drop, it becomes difficult for molluscs to reproduce and much of the ocean’s food cycle is disrupted. [21]
Although the consequences of climate change may seem dire, there is still hope. If immediate action is taken to stop climate change, we will never see the worst of it. Similarly, when the world adopts clean and sustainable energy solutions, millions of new jobs and billions of dollars can be created.
