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CLIMATE CHANGE Impact on Our Planet Tan Jiefeng (18) 6M WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE The Earth’s climate is influenced by many factors. Equatorial areas have hot temperatures all year whereas areas further north and south of the Equator receive lesser solar energy and so have a cooler climate. The tilt of the Earth relative to the Sun, and its orbit around the Sun means that climate is seasonal. Climate of a place is also influenced by other factors such as altitude and its nearness to the sea. However, climate has become less predictable nowadays! Scientists have been concerned over small changes in global temperatures that the effects this may have on our lives. They have found out that the rise in global temperature is due to the increasing concentration of certain gases (“greenhouse gases”) in the Earth’s atmosphere. Thus is known as “Global Warming”. The warming of global climate is now unequivocal. There are many observations of increasing air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising sea levels. More specifically, eleven of the last twelve years (19952006) rank among the 12 warmest years ever recorded since global surface temperatures are measured (1850). Over the last 100 years (1906–2005), global temperature has increased by 0.74°C. Global sea level has risen by 17 cm during the 20th century, in part because of the melting of snow and ice from many mountains and in the polar regions. More regional changes have also been observed, including changes in Arctic temperatures and ice, ocean salinity, wind patterns, droughts, precipitations, frequency of heat waves and intensity of tropical cyclones. Many scientists are worried that the activities of people are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases and this could be changing the climate. people contribute to the layer of gases by using fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas. Industralised countries have been using fossil fuels to provide power for factories and homes since the Industrial Revolution. Now, many developing countries are choosing a similar path to fuel their economic growth and needs of their people. Global Warming It seems that every time we open the newspaper or watch the news on television, there is a new warning about the damaging effects of a changing climate. Floods, droughts and other natural disasters are becoming more and more common and the world is struggling to survive. The Earth’s atmosphere is around us. It is the air we breathe in. The gases in the atmosphere (e.g. water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane etc) trap heat from the sun. These gases act as the glass panes in a greenhouse and warm the surface of the Earth. This is also known as the Greenhouse Effect. It is very important as it make Earth warm for us to live. Greenhouse gases are gases in our atmosphere that hold in heat, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The problem we now faced is that the Earth atmosphere is being filled by huge quantities of human-caused carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. By burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests, we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This traps the Sun’s heat (that would have otherwise reradiated back into space) and cause temperatures around the world to rise. This is called Global Warming. The Carbon Cycle Carbon is an element. It is part of oceans, air, rocks, soil and all living things. Carbon doesn’t stay in one place. It is always on the move. 1. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants. In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide. With the help of the Sun, through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the air to make plant food from carbon. 2. Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through food chains, the carbon that is in plants moves to the animals that eat them. Animals that eat other animals get the carbon from their food too. 3. Carbon moves from plants and animals to the ground. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decay bringing the carbon into the ground. Some becomes buried miles underground and will become fossil fuels in millions and millions of years. 4. Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. Each time you exhale, you are releasing carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. Animals and plants get rid of carbon dioxide gas through a process called respiration. 5. Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned. When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. Each year, five and a half billion tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels. That’s the weight of 100 million adult African elephants! Of the huge amount of carbon that is released from fuels, 3.3 billion tons enters the atmosphere and most of the rest becomes dissolved in seawater. 6. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the atmosphere. WHAT IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAVE ALREADY BEEN OBSERVED Glaciers are melting in many places across the world This picture shows the overwhelming evidence that global warming is severely affecting the water and glacial cycles of the planet. As glaciers melt and more water reaches the ocean, it increases the sea level at a faster rate, which causes flooding and threatens every coastal city. Powerful Hurricanes The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans were shattering and long-lasting. The center of Katrina passed east of New Orleans on August 29, 2005. It was the worst engineering disaster in the history of the United States. By August 31, 2005, eighty percent of New Orleans was flooded, with some parts under 15 feet (4.5 m) of water. Ninety percent of the residents of southeast Louisiana were evacuated, 1836 died and 705 people reported missing. The damage estimated US$89 billion- the costliest tropical cyclone in history. Prolonged Droughts The Murray Darling Basin is the main irrigation area of Australia, and covers an area the size of France and Spain. The prolonged drought has reduced many of the rivers to a trickle, crippling Australia’s farming sector and forcing many cities and towns to enact drastic water restrictions as reservoirs dry up. Other drought-related hazards in Australia are heatwaves, duststorms and bushfires, all of which can impact on the people’s lives and economy in Australia. Severe Floods Africa has been hardest hit by climate change and has suffered the worst effects of global warming. Severe floods hit twenty-two African countries as they experienced their worst wet seasons in decades. Thousands of Africans have been uprooted by devastating downpours and displaced. Thousands were killed in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Coral Reefs Bleaching Coral reefs are taking hits around the world from many stresses — pollution, destructive fishing practices, disease — but perhaps the most damaging is warmer water. When carbon dioxide dissolves into the ocean, it produces carbonic acid, which corrodes the limestone structures of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems could suffer. The only hope is to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide as quickly as possible to minimize large-scale, long-term harm to the world's oceans and marine ecosystems. Food Supply Shortages Climate conditions have always been the most important on people’s ability to grow food. Many crops are sensitive to small changes in temperature. A frost in Brazil could wipe out the coffee harvest for the year. In parts of Asia, higher temperatures and evaporation of water have affected the rice harvest which fed the people for thousands of years. People who rely on fish from the sea as a source of food such as South America have suffered a massive reduction in catches because the warm water along the eastern Pacific Ocean have forced fishes to move to cooler waters in the north. With higher temperatures, less rain and frequent droughts, food production has fallen drastically and food prices increased as a result. Human Health At Risk Extreme weather conditions may bring health risks. Forest fires in Indonesia gave rise to choking smoke causing people with respiratory diseases to fall ill, school closures and over-crowded hospitals. After a flood, drought or hurricane, clean water may get contaminated. As a result, people are forced to drink dirty water. Water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera can lead to severe illness and health problems. Dengue fever caused by the aedes mosquito used to be limited to warmer places. But with global temperatures rising, dengue fever has spread into the hills and mountains of India and Colombia. WHAT HAPPENS IF EARTH’S TEMPERATURE …. Increase by 1˚C 1. The permafrost in the Alps might melt, causing rock falls to occur more and more often. This would endanger not only skiers but also towns and villages in the mountain regions. Landslides might also bury unprotected populations as melting continues. 2. The Queensland Wet Tropics is a renowned and treasured heritage site with species of plants that cannot be found elsewhere. Some of the animal and plant species can only live at certain heights. As it warms, many of these species could lose huge chunks of their habitat. As long as high rainfall continues, the rainforest would not disappear completely, but the region could lose its biodiversity. 3. Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Brazil in 2004. It is possible that many more hurricanes could be born out of the South Atlantic if sea temperatures continue to rise. Hurricane forecasting services would need to expand. New tropical cyclones may even affect Europe, and countries along the Mediterranean coast could be at risk from these storms as well. 4. When oceans heat up beyond the temperature tolerance of corals, the corals eject the algae that live in them and become bleached. However, these ecosystems are forever altered. Barrier reefs protect coastlines and play a role in the food chain, both of which influence human lives beyond tourist pleasures. 5. The Sand Hills may resemble their namesake. The green, grassy hills that cattle graze on could be gone. Dust and sandstorms might be commonplace. Currently the breadbasket of the United States, the agricultural production may be devastated by droughts. Heavier irrigation may fail as water is overexploited by industrial agriculture. Residents could abandon the area as they did in the 1930’s when it was referred to as the Dust Bowl. Increase by 2˚C 1. Southern China may flood more, but the northern part of China could be drought-stricken and have to wait longer for the rains of summer monsoons to reach them. Large scale dust storms may hold sway as the north awaits the rain. Agriculture would suffer as well from the lack of water in a country with a large population. Beijing, Tianjin and other northern cities might experience water shortages. 2. A strengthening of the monsoon and increase in severe flooding could negatively impact agriculture, as wheat and rice production would be crippled. For countries with growing populations, this threat to food is dangerous. And as peoples’ homes may be wrecked again and again, they would have to weigh whether to move permanently. The glaciers in the Himalayas may also melt, causing mud flows in Nepal. 3. In 2003, a serious European heat wave took many lives. More and more of these extreme heat waves could occur and cause fatalities, particularly among the elderly. Europe’s summers could see the soaring temperatures more commonly found in today’s Northern Africa. Those living along the Mediterranean coast might find relief in the north. Water shortages and crop failures could be a problem. 4. Peru’s mountain glaciers may melt, and there would be no more natural water for Lima. The poorest would be hit first and hardest. Agriculture would be troubled and jobs lost. Water users may fight over resources and refugees may flee from city to countryside in a reverse migration. Countries like Ecuador and Bolivia also survive on water from the mountain glaciers and would share a similar fate. 5. Much of the world’s carbon dioxide ends up in the oceans, and scientists have learnt that increasing levels of carbon dioxide cause the oceans to become more acidic. That affects organisms with calcium carbonate shells, including plankton, by effectively dissolving their shells. Many of these tiny creatures are at the base of the food chain and assist in the carbon cycle. Also affected would be crabs, sea urchin, mussels, oysters, and tropical corals. Increase by 3˚C 1. Dependent on mountain water from glaciers that may recede, the Indus River could disappear. The population would first experience a swollen river that would help feed agricultural production. But as the ice melts, the river would dry up. Food would be hard to come by and neighbouring countries would experience similar problems - setting the stage for possible political crisis. 2. The Amazon rain forest, which supplies about a fifth of the world’s oxygen, could enter into a cycle or drought and fire. The resulting deforestation could release tons of carbon dioxide. Worse still, the peat beneath the forest could also catch fire, adding to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Tribal communities could be displaced, and some biodiversity could be lost forever. 3. If sea levels were to rise and a storm hits Manhattan, the storm surge could submerge parts of the city. Hurricanes and north-easters would be a continual threat. Flooding might occur often and the three meter flood zone could be filled every five years, densely populated southern Manhattan is most vulnerable, and flooding there could cut off evacuation routes as waters rise. Such scenarios have city government considering construction of storm-surge barriers. 4. In the Arctic, eighty percent of sea ice could be lost. Open oceans lacking these ice caps might change North American weather patterns, bringing more rain to Alaska and Canada, while further drying out the West Coast. Land ice caps and glaciers would melt quickly/ in Norway and Finland. The growing seasons could lengthen, but the soil would still be rocky and acidic. 5. Without adequate snows, snowmelt could decline and no longer feed the Colorado River. The overall quantity of water available would be lower and make the land drier. Drought is already a problem, but it could become a semipermanent situation. Urban areas could face water shortages, crop yields could be affected, and drier grasslands and forests would be more susceptible to wildfires. Increase by 4˚C 1. As average temperatures rise, more frequent periods of drought could lead to depleted water supplies for irrigation. Crop yields could plummet, and as one study predicts, decline as much as forty percent by the last third of the twentyfirst century. As Chinese become more affluent, and use more resources, the county could be faced with feeding its expanding population with two thirds of available food. 2. The world could warm enough to thaw Siberia’s permafrost, causing carbon release to accelerate. The bogs may also release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is 23 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. 3. New deserts could form as southern Europe dries out. Rainfall would decline, heat waves would be up to a month longer, and hot days that are dangerous to human health would increase many times over. In contrast, the United Kingdom could be hit with storm surges and cyclones in the winter while still experiencing summer droughts. 4. Antarctica would not melt as quickly as the Arctic since surrounding winds and currents will keep it cool longer. Large ice shelves protect the center of the ice, which is below sea level. However, one of these could crumble, causing the speed of glaciers flowing into the ocean to accelerate. There is a small chance such an acceleration could lead to the total collapse of the ice sheet and a mass influx of freshwater into the already rising seas. 5. As global sea levels rise, cities around the world may have to fight to stay afloat: Alexandria, Bangladesh, Boston, Mumbai, London, Miami and Venice among them. As these cities attempt to protect themselves from rising waters, they may become virtual islands as water encroaches from every side. Increase by 5˚C 1. Warming could cause methane hydrate – a methane-water combo at the ocean floor, normally in an ice-like form – to destabilize and release a gas, turning the ocean anoxic and unable to support oxygen-breathing life at the sea floor. As the gas explodes upwards, it could trigger sub-sea landslides, which in turn could displace large quantities of water and create tsunamis. This would only further drench already submerging coastlines. 2. As competition for water resources and arable land intensifies, the world would likely see an increase in armed conflicts. These could take the form of ethnic or regional skirmishes, or full-scale wars between nations. 3. As climate refugees cram together in the few remaining temperate zones, humanity may look to formally inhospitable regions for growing room. Possible colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula could be established. As Antarctic ice slowly retreats, exposing more usable land, the population of Antarctica could swell beyond the few thousand scientists and support staff that live there today. 4. Northern Europe, the southern end of South America, and New Zealand are examples of areas that could become contested by residents and refugees fleeing harsher climates. Rapid population rise in the areas could lead to political and economic crisis, and shortages of staple resources. 5. Deserts throughout the world could expand, taking over more and more land. Those areas that lack water would face increasingly arid conditions, turning millions of people into climate refugees, as desertification spreads, and availability of food and water declines. Population in the remaining non-arid climates could swell with the influx of refugees. Increase by 6˚C 1. As happened in the Cretaceous period, a spike in warming could lead to all but the upper-most layer of the oceans being stripped of oxygen, decimating marine life. Build-up of hydrogen-sulfide gas from massive marine die-offs could further poison the oceans and coastal areas. 2. How would humanity respond and survive if a six degree Celsius rise occurs? This is a question we hope never to answer. With scarce resources and the global systems disrupted, simply surviving will be a grave challenge for most of the world’s people. 3. With sea levels rising and resources hard to come by, it is easy to imagine that densely populated cities in some parts of the world could struggle to survive. Some would be lost to rising seas, others might be relocated or simply abandoned as the landscape and climate in their original locations is no longer able to support large human settlements. 4. As carbon-induced temperature-rise leads to increased desertification, and forested areas retreat, less carbon dioxide is removed from the air by photosynthesis, leading to more global warming. It is theorized that several such positive feedback chains could be active in a warmer world, leading to ever more acute warming. 5. Humanity finds itself squeezed into the smaller zones of habitability. Possible locations where increased settlements might take hold include the extreme northern regions along the Arctic coasts of Russia and the Canadian islands, where farming in a warmer world may be possible, and summers tolerable. HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT HELP A wide variety of policy tools can be applied by governments to create incentives for mitigation action, such as regulation, taxation, tradable permit schemes, subsidies, and voluntary agreements. It is important to consider the environmental impacts of policies and instruments, their cost effectiveness, institutional feasibility and how costs and benefits are distributed. Although the impact of the Kyoto protocol’s first commitment period 2008-2012 on global carbon emissions is expected to be limited, it has allowed the establishment of a global response to the climate problem. Switching to more sustainable development paths can make a major contribution to climate change mitigation. Policies that contribute to both climate change mitigation and sustainable development include those related to energy efficiency, renewable energies, and conservation of natural habitats. In general, sustainable development can increase the capacity for adaptation and mitigation, and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change • Taxes and charges can set a “carbon price” (a cost for each unit of greenhouse gas emissions) which could create incentives for producers and consumers to significantly invest in products, technologies and processes reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Tradable emission permits establish a “carbon price”. The volume of allowed emissions determines their environmental effectiveness, while the way permits are allocated determines who bears the costs. • Subsidies and tax credits can provide financial incentives for the development and diffusion of new technologies. • Voluntary agreements between industry and governments are politically attractive, raise awareness, and have played a role in the evolution of many national policies. • Awareness campaigns may positively affect environmental quality by promoting informed choices and possibly contributing to behavioural change. • Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) can stimulate technological advances, reduce costs, and enable progress toward stabilization. SWITCHING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY Switching to more sustainable development paths can make a major contribution to climate change mitigation, but implementation may require overcoming multiple barriers. Climate change and other sustainable development policies often benefit each other, though not always. There is a growing understanding of the possibilities to choose and implement mitigation options in several sectors to create synergies and avoid conflicts with other aspects of sustainable development. For instance, climate change policies related to energy efficiency and renewable energy are often economically beneficial, improve energy security, and reduce local air pollution. Reducing both loss of natural habitat and deforestation can have significant benefits for biodiversity, soil and water conservation, and can be implemented in a socially and economically sustainable manner. No matter how stringent the mitigation measures, some impacts of climate change are unavoidable and adaptation will be necessary. Sustainable development can increase the capacity for both adaptation and mitigation, and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. RENEWABLE ENERGY We use energy every day. It surrounds us in different forms, such as light, heat, and electricity. Humans have invented thousands of machines and appliances that use energy to make our work easier, to heat our homes, and to get ourselves from place to place. Some of these machines use electricity, while others, like automobiles, use the energy stored in substances such as gasoline. But now, these resources are running out. Therefore, more and more people now are switching to use renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy which is generated from natural resources – such as wind, tides, geothermal heat, sunlight and rain – which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy supplies will never run out. These are different types of renewable energy: Solar energy Our sun is a constant source of energy. Each day, the sun provides the Earth with unimaginable amounts of solar energy, most of which comes in the form of visible light. All over planet Earth, sunlight is by far the most important source of energy for all living things. Without it, Earth would be lifeless. Sunlight can be a practical source of energy for such everyday jobs as cooking, heating water, or warming up homes. Scientists have discovered ways to the Sun’s energy to power our daily appliances. These are two types of energy that can be obtained from the Sun: Solar electricity – Not only is the sun a source of heat and light, it is a source of electricity too. Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, are used to convert sunlight to electricity. Solar cells are used to provide electricity all kinds of equipment, from calculators and watches to eco-friendly vehicles. Solar heat – Solar thermal collectors, which are heat-absorbing black solar panels, can be seen on some rooftops. These solar panels convert solar energy into heat energy. Water circulates through these panels and this is where it gets heated up. Wind energy Air is constantly on the move. People have harnessed the power of the wind for many centuries to grind grain, pump water and sail ships. In some places, especially along coastlines and in mountains, wind provides a highly reliable source of energy. Wind can be used for: Sails – Wind energy can be used for transportation. Modern sailboats have very efficient sails and masts constructed from strong, lightweight materials. They work like aircraft wings to generate forces that pull the boat in the desired direction. Generating electricity – Wind turbines are used to generate electricity. To make electricity, the shaft of the turbine must be connected to an electrical generator. When the shaft spins, the turbine turns the generator to generate electricity. Hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity is generated from the kinetic energy of moving water. Rivers and streams are among nature's most powerful forces. The force of water moving down a moderately-sized river can exceed several million horsepower. Humans have built hydroelectric dams to harness this power. The water is released from the dams and it will turn the turbines which are connected to generators to generate electricity. Biomass energy For thousands of years, people have used wood, charcoal and plant and animal wastes to heat and cook. These fuels, all the product of living things, are called biomass fuels, or simply biomass. Biogas – Most mammals-humans included-produce a flammable gas called "biogas" as they digest their food. Bacteria living in their digestive systems produce methane as they break down cellulose present in the food. Biogas is also produced in bogs and wetlands where large amounts of rotting vegetation may accumulate. Biogas consists mostly of a gas called methane, which is the same as "natural gas", commonly burned in our furnaces and barbecues. Biogas can be used instead of natural gas for heating and cooking. Geothermal energy Geothermal means heat from the core of the Earth. Resources for geothermal energy are widespread and include the hot water and hot rock found a few kilometers beneath the surface, and extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma at deeper levels. Geothermal energy is non-polluting and is sustainable. Geothermal heat pumps - While temperatures above ground change a lot from day to day and season to season, temperatures in the upper 10 feet of the Earth's surface hold nearly constant between 10 to 15 degrees Celcius. For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer. WHAT WE CAN DO Transport Aim : Minimise carbon dioxide emission by managing usage, improving fuel efficiency, promoting use of cleaner fuels and green vehicles. Promoting public transport and car-pooling are mechanisms to reduce the demand for petrol. Hybrid Cars Hybrid cars don’t depend on petrol to move. They use electric batteries to power the engine. An example of such a car is the Toyota Prius. Offices & Households Aim : Lower energy consumption (aircon, lights) and to cultivate energy saving habits Fluorescent light bulbs A ‘normal’ light bulb (also known as incandescent light bulb) produces a lot of heat in addition to light. Heat is a waste of energy. A fluorescent light bulb uses a more efficient method to produce light. A 15-watt fluorescent bulb will produce the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Energy Labels To increase public awareness and get people to buy energy efficient electrical appliances, energy labels are affixed to air-conditioners and refrigerators to inform consumers of the electricity consumption level. At Home Cleaning air filters of our air-conditioners regularly Recycle newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods Change conventional bulbs into energy saving bulbs Buy products made from recycled materials Do not buy things with lots of packaging Give old clothes and toys to charity At School Buy supplies made with recycled contents Use energy-saving light bulbs Use two-sided printing and copying Switch off lights, fans and computers when the classroom is empty Recycle printer cartridges Make use of the recycling bins to dispose unwanted newspapers, metal cans and glass bottles The school can collect old textbooks from its pupils and donate them to needy students On the road - Use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrid vehicles and cleaner diesal vehicles Avoid hard accelerations and reduce time spent idoling on the road Keep your car well maintained to make it fuel-efficient Check tyres regularly as under-inflation increases wear and tear Use public transport, carpool, cycle or walk as far as possible At the office - Switch off office equipment and lights when not in use Use energy-saving bulbs Activate the screen saver mode on your computer and monitor Recycle office paper Use recycled paper Use soft copies instead of printing hard copies Use rechargable batteries instead of disposable ones Buy recycled products such as toilet paper and paper towels. CONCLUSION Global warming is real. The climate crisis presents us with an inconvenient truth. It means that we must CHANGE the way we live our lives. Some are major changes and others are little things which we can do our part. For example, we should switch off all electrical appliances whenever we leave the room, and use energy-saving light bulbs in schools, offices and homes. We can learn to save water e.g. when we brush our teeth we can use a mug to contain the water and not leave the water running. We can use both sides of a piece of paper – in this way, we can save trees as trees takes in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. We should learn to recycle old clothes, books, plastic bottles to reduce wastage. Everyone must take action now to save our planet! We cannot afford to do nothing. Every small effort will contribute significantly to fight global warming! Sources http://www.re-energy.ca/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/six-degrees-couldchange-the-world-3188/Overview http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=4709 “An Inconvenient Truth” written by Al Gore “Energy Alternatives” written by Robert Snedden “Climate Change: The Impact On The Planet” written by Simon Scoones “Six degrees could change the world” the documentary