GEB1011
Thinking about
Global Environmental Issues
2023-2024
Individual essay:
(2000 words)
Deadline: 28 July, 2359
Please send an essay to email
TWC GEB1011
Thinking about Global Environmental Issues 1
leunghmh@gmail.com AND upload a copy to
blackboard Turnitin
Tutorial Student Student name
class for you number
to take
(Tue/Fri,
Tue, 3pm 21004833 Chan Shun Yan
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Thinking about Global Environmental Issues 2
First part of essay (Recommended word limit: 200 words)
Introduction: Current situation in an Earth
What are the problems found in the Earth therefore the cases of
environmental issue increased gradually?
Due to increasing human population, industrial, agricultural and other
human activities increase. Clearing of land and deforestation for human
developmental needs reduces the greenhouse gas absorption by photosynthesis
of plants while burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and other human activities
increases the greenhouse gas emission, leading to more heat trapping in the
earth surface, increasing global temperature, finally causing climate change.
Therefore, this essay is going to discuss the cause and effects of climate
change, possible solutions to tackle it, and further recommend on achieving the
goal of sustainable development.
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Second part of essay (Recommended word limit: 800 words)
Evaluation of environmental issues
(Choose the following issue(s) included in an essay).
ecological imbalance
climate change
land degradation
questionable food resources
water pollution
others (Please
specify):____________________________________________________________
Greenhouse effect originally is a natural-occurring phenomenon which traps
heat from the sun to maintain the warmth of earth surface (diagram 1). Human-
activity-induced climate change brings out different effects on weather,
environment, agriculture, animals and humans (Lindwall, 2022).
Weather – the intensity of extreme weather such as heat waves, droughts,
hurricanes, and storms will increase and become unpredictable.
Environment – the melting of sea ice gets more rapid, causing sea level rise,
flooding, and marine heat waves. Outbreaks of pests, invasive species, and
pathogen infections are likely to increase.
Agriculture – the farming seasons of crops and determination of adverse
weathers and the dynamic of pests, etc. become less predictable. Soil quality
decreases, food supply and quality also become a problem.
Animals –alter habitat of wildlife, such as affecting ice-dependent animals
such as penguins, and coral bleaching.
Humans – increasing health risks such as insect-borne diseases, exposure to
wildfire smoke and ozone smog, etc.
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Third part of essay (Recommended word limit: 800 words)
Possible solutions to tackle environmental issues
(Choose the following issue(s) included in an essay).
enhancing energy efficiency
development of electronic waste management
environmental NGOs campaign and promotion
others (Please
specify):____________________________________________________________
Replacing fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas, with renewable energy
such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal power; and replacing petrol and diesel
vehicles into electric vehicles are the examples to enhance energy efficiency
(GreenPeace UK, n.d.).
The examples of non-government organizations fighting against climate
change include Greenpeace, V’air Hong Kong, The Green Earth, Carbon Care
Inno Lab and so on.
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Fourth part of essay (Recommended word limit: 200 words)
Conclusion: Further recommendations
What are the possible recommendations to achieve the goal of sustainable
development?
It is suggested to achieve the thirteenth goal of sustainable development –
to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (United Nations,
n.d.), including limiting the global temperature rise by 1.5 degree Celsius and
reducing global greenhouse gas emission and achieving net zero by 2050
(United Nations, 2024). However, it is not only the responsibility of governments
to tackle climate change, but also enterprises and citizens.
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References
Carbon Care Inno Lab. https://www.ccinnolab.org
Causes of climate change. Hong Kong Observatory. (n.d.).
https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/climate_change/human_activities.htm
Lindwall, C. (2022, October 24). What are the effects of climate change?
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-are-effects-climate-change#weather
United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals | sustainable development.
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
United Nations. (2024). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2024/SG-SDG-Progress-Report-2024-
advanced-
unedited-version.pdf
V’air Hong Kong. https://www.vairhk.org
What are the solutions to climate change?. Greenpeace UK. (n.d.).
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/climate-change/solutions-
climate-change/
Appendix
Diagram 1. Greenhouse effect. (source: Hong Kong Observaty)
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