CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate
on earth has changed over time. Seven cycles of glacial advances and retreat
have happened in the last 650,000 years ago with the last ice age ending about
7,000 years ago which marked the start of modern climate era and human
civilization. The sun serves as earth’s primary source of energy. A balance in
the atmosphere exists to ensure that the right amount of this energy is
retained. Incoming sunlight is directed in different ways, some of it goes back
into space through reflection by bright surfaces such as clouds and the
ice. The rest is absorbed by the
atmosphere and the earth’s surface
(Oreskes, 2004). The absorbed energy is
later re-emitted as heat, and the atmosphere, in turn, reabsorbs and re-radiates
it. Some of the heat may escape back to space. A slight change in the balance,
for example, an increase in the output of energy from the sun can cause
significant changes. Same can be said about a change in heat emitted from the
surface if all the re-emitted heat from the surface escapes to through the
atmosphere to space, the earth’s average surface temperature would drop in
degrees.
The
climate change has been attributed to various causes. Most of the changes that
took place 650,000 years ago have been attributed to the slight variations in
the orbit of the earth which impact on the amount of solar energy received by
the earth. From the mid-20th Century, however, the climate change has been
rapid with an increase in global warming. 95% of the change has been said to
have been as a result of human activity, also known as anthropogenically caused
climatic changes. Most of the human activity that has resulted in the rapid
shift in climate has been said to increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse
gases include water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide (Rosenzweig
et al., 2008). The gases trap heat on the surface of the earth hence making in
warmer. A good example is depletion of carbon sinks that help eliminate carbon
dioxide. Cutting down trees is how human beings deplete carbon sinks because
they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen in return. The greenhouse gases
trap heat and release it in all directions keeping the surface of the earth and
lower atmosphere warm. Currently, more energy from the planet in entering the
earth while little heat is released back. It is for this reason that the planet
is experiencing heat waves melting of ice and retreatment of the glaciers in
the Arctic. As much as other natural factors play in climatic change,
anthropogenically caused climatic change is real and as stated above takes the
most significant share (95%)
(Wilby & Dessai, 2010).
The
impacts of climate change have become extreme in some cases. An example is what
is happening in Australia. Several incidences of heatwaves have been recorded
in Sydney with one reaching up to 117°F on the 7th of January this year.
According to the meteorology department of New South Wales, this is the hottest
day to have ever been reported. As a result, the increase in temperature has
come with issues like increased health issues to the people in the region.
Exposure to these extreme heat promotes many psychological changes which
include stroke, heart attack, cramping and may even lead to death. There has
been increased hospitalization in some parts of Australia due to the increase
in heat. Since Australia experiences winter too, the weather conditions are
also extreme where people are hospitalized too.
The
other impact is on the loss of biodiversity in the coastal region (Felton
et al., 2009). Australia prides itself on the presence of the great barrier
reef. However, for the past few years, the extreme heat has resulted in
bleaching of the coral reef. The coral reef is a beautiful marine phenomenon, and
due to increase in temperature, the coral reef discolors, and its beauty is
lost. Ocean acidity also affects the coral reef’s ability to grow. Therefore,
all the animals that depend on it are affected as they lose their habitat. The
coral reef is one of the most sought-after tourist attraction in the coastal
region of Australia. Losing it means not only losing an essential aspect of the
marine ecosystem but also losing on the income that Australia enjoys from the
tourists who visit to see it. Australia’s economy may feel the effects of this
as tourism of one of the pillars of their economy ("Climate
cts on change Australia", n.d.).
The
most significant problem with the climate is global warming, in other words, an
increase in heat retained on the earth’s surface and the lower part of the
atmosphere (Troposphere). The best way to deal with this increase is by
reducing the greenhouses gases we release to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is
the number one greenhouse that should be eliminated. The gas is released in
several ways which include, coal, oil, fossil fuels when burned where we use
the energy released in powering our homes and cars. Using less of the energy
will mean that the release of this gas will reduce hence doing away with global
warming. Alternative means like renewable energy can be used. The other
solution is to increasing carbon sinks. Carbon skinks like trees will not only
reduce the carbon in the atmosphere but will also increase ground cover which
protects the soil from erosion and in turn preserves the biodiversity (Wilby
& Dessai, 2010).
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