Está en la página 1de 9

GE2201 Terrestrial Environments

Web Quest 1

Timothy Tan Xin Zhong (17)


M07205
Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

(www.nature.org)

Do a short write-up on how climate changes and how it affects human settlement,
energy consumption and the industry.

"On the island where I live, it is possible to throw a stone from


one side to the other. Our fears about sea level rise are very
real. Our Cabinet has been exploring the possibility of buying
land in a nearby country in case we become refugees of climate
change."
Teleke Lauti, Minister for the Environment, Tuvalu.

1 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Climate change can affect mankind as seasons shift, temperatures climb and sea levels rise. It
can alter the lives of future generations and land and waters that all living organisms depend
upon for survival. Climate change is caused by the emission of heat-trapping gases from
vehicles, industries, deforestation etc. As these gases build up in the atmosphere, they act like a
thick blanket, overheating the planet, changing our climate, and threatening our health, economy
and natural environment.

Many effects and events occur one after another. Some of the most dangerous
consequences of climate change listed right below have ‘sub-effects’. These ‘sub-effects’
would then be divided into 3 topics, namely human settlement, energy consumption and
the industry.

Higher temperatures

The projected increase in temperature of North


America from 1990-2080.

The 10 hottest years since 1990, including the


warmest year on record – 2005. If carbon
emissions aren’t reduced, average surface
temperatures could increase by 3 to 10 degrees F
by the end of the century.

Wildlife at risk

The rapid nature of climate change can easily exceed the ability of many species to migrate or
adjust. 1/4 of Earth’s species may be headed for extinction by 2050 if the climate change
continues.

2 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Rising seas

Sea levels rise because of thermal expansion and melting glaciers melt, dumping water into the
oceans. Rising seas might inundate low-lying areas and damage property.

3 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Increased risk of drought, fire and floods

Climate change intensifies the water cycle, causing drought and


floods to be more frequent, severe and widespread, thus
increasing the likelihood of forest fires. In U.S conifer forests,
fire frequency has increased by 400% and the amount of land
burned by 650 % since 1970 has increased. By 2080, climate
change could significantly change precipitation in U.S.A. and
Canada.

Stronger storms and increased storm damage

Warmer ocean waters due to climate change helped fuel Hurricane Katrina.

More heat-related illness and disease

Examples: Dehydration, Heat Stroke, Heat Cramps and Heat Exhaustion

Economic losses

4 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Climate change can affect businesses and the economy globally. Climate change could cost
between 5 and 20% of the annual global gross domestic product and it would take 1 % of GDP to
lessen the most damaging effects of climate change.

Human Settlement
Definition: Comprises of physical components of shelter, infrastructure and services to which the
physical elements provide support, that is to say, community services such as education, health,
culture, welfare, recreation and nutrition.

Shelter (Homes)

Sea levels have risen 4-8 inches in the past 100 years. Sea levels could continue to rise between
4-36 inches over the next 100 years, swamping every city on the East Coast of the United States.
In Lake Erie, climate change may lower lake levels, alter shoreline habitats and cost millions for
relocation of ports and shore infrastructure. Worldwide, approximately 100 million people live

5 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

within 3 feet of sea level. Rising seas threaten to inundate low-lying areas, including some places
of human habitation

With a 1.5 meter rise in sea level, 15 percent of the Bangladeshi


population could be affected.

The East coast of the U.S. is highly


vulnerable to sea level rise and other factors.

Infrastructure

Globally, intense hurricanes and downpours could cause billions of dollars in damage to property
and infrastructure.

Welfare

Declining crop yields due to prolonged drought and high temperatures, especially in Africa,
could put hundreds of thousands of people at risk for starvation.

Services

Most of the goods and services provided by wildlife contribute to ecosystem stability or to
ecosystem health and productivity. Wildlife plays a role in natural and agricultural ecosystems
through reduction of insect pests and disease vectors. Climate change could impact many of
these systems by decoupling predators from their prey. Pollination is crucial to the reproduction
of many plants, thus to maintenance of functioning ecosystems and biodiversity. Plants
commonly disperse via seeds passing through the digestive tracts of animals or with animals that
cache seeds. Consequently, if the ranges of the appropriate animals become disjunct from even
part of the ranges of specific plants, dispersal of plants may suffer.

6 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Health

As temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat-related illness and even death. In 2003, heat waves
caused more than 20,000 deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India. Climate change
may also increase the spread of infectious diseases, because warmer temperatures allow disease-
carrying insects, animals and microbes to survive in newer areas. As temperatures rise globally,
droughts will become more frequent and severe, with devastating consequences for agriculture,
water supply and human health.

Recreation

The recreational value (e.g. sport


hunting, wildlife viewing) of
species is large in market and non-
market terms. Loss of species can
lead to changes in the structure and
function of the affected
ecosystems, as well as loss of
revenue and aesthetics.

Energy Consumption
Energy consumption is a measure of the rate of energy use such as fuels or electricity.
Essentially energy consumption seeks to quantify dynamic processes which create entropy. With
climatic change, places like Singapore might get hotter and thus “forcing “ its inhabitants to
switch on their air-cons and fans all day long, thus increasing energy consumption.

Industry and Nutrition

Industries, especially the seafood industries and industries involved in seafood will be greatly affected.

7 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

Rising seas threaten to erode shorelines, destroy ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands
that protect coasts against storms and house dense coastal populations, thus threatening to
destroy much of the world’s biodiversity living there.

Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth and are
the largest living structure on the planet. 500 million people
rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods. Coral reefs
have been used in the treatment many ailments. Coral reefs
provide approximately $375 billion per year globally in goods
and services. If destruction continues, 70% of the world’s coral
reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050.

Climate change can cause hurricanes and tropical storms to become more intense, lasting longer,
unleashing stronger winds, and causing more damage to coastal ecosystems and communities.
This is because of higher ocean temperatures, since hurricanes and tropical storms get their
energy from warm water.

In Southern New-England, lobster catches have plummeted


because of heat stresses and growing parasite threats due to rising
sea temperatures.

1032 words, including those not supposed to be included (e.g. the titles)

8 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ


GE2201 Terrestrial Environments
Web Quest 1

 http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml
 http://thinkexist.com/quotation/prevention_of_birth_is_a_precipitation_of/175661.html
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/weather/elementsofweatherrev5.shtml
 http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/climate/winter/frequency_phasetrans.html
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.org
 http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/weather/precipitation.htm
 http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/metar.htm
 http://www.eo.ucar.edu/basics/wx_2_b.html
 www.quoteland.com
 www.quotationspage.com
 www.quotegarden.com/weather.html
 www.bovitz.com
 http://www.55a.net/eng/13.htm
 www.nature.org
 http://www.earthfuture.com/stormyweather/quotes/
 www.australiasevereweather.com
 www.carlwozniak.com
 Keoki Stender, Fishpics Hawaii
 http://www.unep-wcmc.org/climate/I/2000bleach.jpg
 www.maine-lobster.com
 www.meditherm.com
 www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp
 http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Wounds_and_Injuries/Heat_Related/
 www.go-cape.netfirms.com

9 ©Timothy Tan Xin Zhong, TBJ

También podría gustarte