Climate Change
I. Causes of Climate Change
Human activity is the main cause of climate change. People burn fossil fuels and
convert land from forests to agriculture. Since the beginning of the Industrial
Revolution, people have burned more and more fossil fuels and changed vast areas of
land from forests to farmland. The Earth's climate can be affected by natural factors
that are external to the climate system, such as changes in volcanic activity, solar
output, and the Earth's orbit around the Sun. Of these, the two factors relevant on
timescales of contemporary climate change are changes in volcanic activity and
changes in solar radiation. In terms of the Earth's energy balance, these factors
primarily influence the amount of incoming energy. Volcanic eruptions are episodic
and have relatively short-term effects on climate. Changes in solar irradiance have
contributed to climate trends over the past century but since the Industrial Revolution,
the effect of additions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere has been over 50 times
that of changes in the Sun's output.
II. Effects of Climate Change
Climate change can affect human health in two main ways: first, by changing the
severity or frequency of health problems that are already affected by climate or
weather factors; and second, by creating unprecedented or unanticipated health
problems or health threats in places or times of the year where they have not
previously occurred. One of the first things to be hit by the effects of climate change
is our wildlife. According to international experts, global warming is likely to be the
greatest cause of species extinctions this century with estimates indicating that a
1.5°C average rise may put 20-30% of species at risk of extinction. Global climate
change will affect people and the environment in many ways. Some of these impacts,
like stronger hurricanes and severe heat waves, could be life threatening. Others, like
spreading weeds, will be less serious. And some effects, like longer growing seasons
for crops, might even be good! However, as the Earth keeps getting warmer, the
negative effects are expected to outweigh the positive ones.
III. Possible ways to reduce the effects of climate change
Replace your current home appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dish washer)
with high-efficiency models. Televisions, stereo equipment, computers, battery
chargers and a host of other gadgets and appliances consume more energy when
seemingly switched off, so unplug them instead. Recycling helps reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy consumption. Using recycled
materials to make new products reduces the need for virgin materials. Waste
prevention and smart shopping are even more effective at reducing
greenhouse gas emissions that result from energy consumption. Trees Help
Fight Climate Change. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by
removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil,
and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees provide many benefits to
us, every day.
