There have been preconceived notions about the risks brought by Global Warming and Climate Change which make people afraid and anxious about our planet’s health. Global Warming is the increase in the earth’s temperature since the Industrial Revolution because of greenhouse gas emissions and the burning of fossil fuels.
Climate change is the long-term changes to the earth’s climate, including wind patterns, temperature, rain, snowfall, etc. The world has warmed its temperature approximately by 0.85oC in the last 130 years, and it has been successively warmer than any preceding decade, each of three previous three decades since 1850.
Do these two differ from each other? What is the relationship between these two issues in the health of planet earth and the impacts on the living and non-living creatures?
New studies about our planet getting warmer have been reported due to pollutants clogging up the atmosphere, then the sun’s heat is trapped and various natural disasters like wildfires, melting of glaciers, and unexplained weather patterns and shifts have been developed over time. This is a clear example that the planet earth is in danger, that global warming is the main core of climate change on this planet and getting the facts about climate change is important.
Average Temperatures And Temperature Extremes
Cutting Carbon Pollution And Expanding Clean Energy
Get The Facts
The Earth’s temperature has risen.
In the late 19th century, Earth’s average surface temperature has risen 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.1 degrees Celsius. It was 2016 that was recorded as the warmest year ever, 8 of the 12 months. However, make up the year – from January to September, excluding June – was the warmest month that was ever recorded since. One great contributing factor is because of Carbon Dioxide that its heat is a trap in the atmosphere. Scientists have measured this idea in the laboratory for over 150 years, and no one ever claims to dispute or refute this fact.
If people could lessen the production of carbon dioxide, it would greatly help preserve nature, but it is known that humans are the ones who far more produce CO2 than plants and oceans can absorb. This means that since gases stay in the atmosphere for a long period, global warming would continue even emissions are eliminated today. This could also cause temperature and sea levels to increase for about a century only after the emissions stop.
For the last 100 years, the global sea level has increased by about 8 inches, but the sea level increase has been evident in just two decades. Along with the increase in the sea level, it also goes with its temperature. Because of the melting of mountain glaciers, ice sheets, and ice caps, the sea level is expected to increase in the coming years. Ocean water will naturally expand as the water temperature rises with the global temperature. No wonder that over time the sea levels will infringe on land, which is from families to businesses and even to communities.
Human activity is adding carbon dioxide to the Earth’s atmosphere.
While the carbon dioxide concentration varies naturally over long periods, measurements show that it is now far higher than it has been for at least 800,000 years. Several human undertakings increase greenhouse gas levels, albeit a specific amount of Carbon Dioxide occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere naturally. As simple as breathing, digesting the food you eat are basic human undertaking that has a production of Carbon Dioxide though it’s quite minimal.
What’s the Impact?
Threatens Health
According to WHO (World Health Organization), because of climate change, the clean air, safe drinking water, adequate food, and security of shelter of health have greatly affected the social and environmental factors of health. It has been projected that between the years 2030 and 2050, there will be approximately 250 000 more deaths every year due to heat stress, malaria, diarrhea, and other forms of malnutrition that are highly caused by climate change.
Most developing countries with poor health infrastructure will be at least be able to cope without assistance. It is estimated between US$ 2-4 billion/year by 2030 is the direct damage to health cost, that is why to improve one’s health, people must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, for instance, developing better transport, food, and energy particularly by reducing air pollution.
Aggressiveness and high Temper
A new study relates that when the world gets hotter, and temper tends to get fiercer, it found that it becomes more likely to commit violent crimes as the temperature rises. People are prepped for a physical response since heart rates tend to be elevated in warm weather. But it does not mean that humans are headed to its end as the Earth’s temperature warms up. Because of global warming, the decline in conflict might be slowing down. This is essentially correct since our weather influences our mood and disposition.
Another study says that Global warming could likely create a world of violence since higher temperatures increase human aggression and create unstable situations. In addition, when the weather is warm, one-way temperature changes can influence a person’s behavior. For instance, people tend to go outside more when the weather is warmer, which leads to more social interactions.
It has been suggested that there is a relationship between temperature rise and aggressive behavior. High rates of criminality and aggression have been observed during the summer months, suggesting a connection between aggressive behaviors and temperatures. It is likely to happen that the rates of aggression may increase over time due to climate change.
Extreme Heat
The levels of ozone and other pollutants in the air that aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory disease are raised in extremely high air temperatures. It critically contributes directly to deaths, particularly among older adults with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Pollen and other aeroallergen levels can trigger asthma, and if the temperature continues to rise, then expectedly, this burden will worsen the situation. Heat strokes are another concern that implicates extreme heat, it’s a life-threatening condition that may result in brain damage, and the worst is death if the body is not cooled quickly. Be alarmed if symptoms of headaches, dizziness, strong rapid pulse, hot, dry red skin, confusion, high body temperature more than 103°F, nausea, and unconsciousness persist.
Extinction of Wildlife Habitat
According to experts, if the global warming trend continues its current rate, one-fourth of Earth’s species will be extinction, as predicted by 2050. Because of the rising temperature and changing precipitation patterns, our oceans, where our plants grow, are changing and encouraging the production of species that impact the natural ocean habitat. When habitats shift, the wildlife quickly has to adjust to the changing environment. With this, wildlife species go separate ways to survive, and humans inevitably feel the impact.
The rising of temperature and unpredictable changing patterns of weather have likely the greatest cause of species extinction. Many of the endangered species live in areas that will be severely affected by climate change, and it occurs too suddenly for many species to adapt.
Economic Impact
It is surely hard to predict the economic impact of climate change. However, it is safe to say that several key economic sectors can feel long-term impacts of climate change like from fishing, agriculture to energy to water utilities. The shifting of global climate or climate change will force many industries and business lines to immediately take action and adapt to change due to the warming of seas and rising temperatures.
This impact also goes with the tourism and recreation industries since its operation is weather-dependent. As we continue to strive this period wherein climate change impacts us and adapt to this kind of change quickly is the key to the progress of the global economy.
Ways to Prevent
Learning and understanding the facts and Impacts of Global warming and Climate do not suffice to protect the planet and preserve future generations. Most of us are skeptical in extending help but are concerned about the health condition of our planet and the impacts that global warming and climate change are having on our (Earth) and our own respective lives. Here are basic ways to preserve our planet.
1. Be energy efficient; live off the grid.
Lights are switch off – what happens next? You may consider changing light bulbs to LEDs or known as compact fluorescent, when an electronic device such as TVs, computers, and any other kind of device or technology can be unplugged when not in use. You may consider you do the manual thing and live off the grid. Like instead of washing your clothes in a washing machine, to be economical, try the hand wash and hang clothes under the heat of Sun., it’s more fun to do it with someone and saves energy more importantly.
2. Use renewable power to save energy.
There are various ways to power your home, business, or wherever you may be using renewable power, such as solar panels, wind turbines, solar hydro, and a lot more. This way will not only slice down your electricity bills, power your home, but most importantly, help save the environment from climate change. One simple thing can make a whole lot different.
3. Eat smartly
Start growing your food in your backyard or use potted plants. It is better to eat organic and locally grown foods because it can help improve your health and preserve nature. Greenhouse emission gas came from meat and dairy products, so this can be a little help from you.
4. Manage your waste
Several garbage collections are buried in landfills, which produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. How to get rid of this kind of practice? With composting kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, recycling plastic, metal, paper, glass, and any other type of scrap, you can keep stuff out of landfills. Be resourceful, reduce, reuse, recycle, and do not just throw away things that you might still use but avoid hoarding. Make sure when you keep things you will use them anytime, not when the time comes.
5. Improve Your Habits At Work
Take your good environmental habits into your office and influence your colleagues too. Take public transport or practice walking to work, especially if the distance is few kilometers away from your home. You may persuade your colleagues to do it gradually and then often. You only do not help the environment; you have become fit as well.
During office works, practice turning off the lights and ACs during the noon break. You may also want to consider shutting down your computer rather than putting it to sleep or logging off or any other appliances which are not in use when you’re at work. These habits are easy to practice, and you never know your company will have gratified you for your initiative.
6. Educate and shape the Future Generations
Now is the time to shape the mind of young generations about climate change and its impacts. It is imperative to help prevent climate change from happening, especially the life they can have in the future. Parents, the institution, and even the government can work hand in hand simply by leading as an example. If you have children, get them to join and be involved in making your life greener and giving them responsibilities like recycling, conserving energy at home, and other initiatives, setting as an example to live a simple life and not abuse the environment.
7. Participate in Fighting Against Climate Change
Look for any opportunity to participate in programs or campaigns about fighting against environmental problems. There are plenty of fundraising and awareness-raising events that you can find interesting on both the local and national stages. You may also want to conduct an Action Plan to retrain the nation from carbon pollution. This would promote energy efficiency and environmental protection not only today but also in the future.
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