climate change

Climate change is one of the biggest reasons so many people are trying to think of progressive green ideas. Research has shown that stopping climate change dead in its tracks is nearly impossible, but we can try to slow it down. That way, we'll feel less of the effects of climate change down the road, whether those are high temperatures, rising sea levels, or rapid water evaporation (and a dwindling water supply). The things that effect climate change the most are the actions of man, but events like volcanic eruptions can contribute to global warming. While we can't plug all of the volcanoes on the planet, we can try to reduce our own emissions that are building up in the atmosphere. As you may already know, the more greenhouse gases that enter our atmosphere, the warmer the air is, and the more damage it causes to our ozone layer. There are two main factors that influence climate change, and those are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. There are several other factors that contribute to global warming, but these two factors alone cause most of the greenhouse gases.

Climate change is something that has been on the radar of people worldwide since the 1980's, when the hole in the ozone layer of Antarctica was discovered. Are we doing enough to reduce climate change, and reverse the effects of global warming? While it might be nearly impossible to reverse climate change, we can try to slow down the effects of climate change. On this page, you can find earth friendly tips on reducing your carbon footprint, from greening your vacations to recycling, reducing your energy use at home to helping promote sustainable forestry.
EARTH has warmed by about 1F over the past 100 years. But why? And how? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the worlds leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer. Average global temperature has increased by almost 1F over the past century; scientists expect the average global temperature to increase an additional 2 to 6F over the next one hundred years. This may not sound like much, but it could change the Earths climate as never before. At the peak of the last ice age (18,000 years ago), the temperature was only 7F colder than it is today, and glaciers covered much of North America! Even a small increase in temperature over a long time can change the climate. When the climate changes, there may be big changes in the things that people depend on. These things include the level of the oceans and the places where we plant crops. They also include the air we breathe and the water we drink.

solutions
How do we reduce the effects of climate change? Almost everything we purchase and use expels greenhouse gases. Much of the greenhouse gases we emit are from our food and transportation. Even the produce at the supermarket and a small lawnmower cause some emissions. Now, those bunches of grapes aren't sitting there expelling greenhouse gases themselves, but the process used to grow the grapes, transport them to the supermarket, and keep them cool does cause greenhouse gas emissions. The water that is pumped to the farm, the workers that drive to the farm, the tractors that maintain the land, and the delivery of materials to the farm all contribute small bits of emissions and energy use (and cattle farms use far more than plant farms). When the grapes are picked, they're transported to a facility using trucks, which use gas and oil. Once the grapes arrive in the supermarket, you'll drive to the market to go get them, burning more fossil fuels. So how can we use less energy with our food? First, we can avoid packaged foods. The fact that grapes are usually unpackaged is better for the environment and our atmosphere. The production of packaging is one extra step that will cause more emissions. Second, we can buy locally. Buying locally means fresher foods that use less transport energy to get to you. Third, we can grow our own food. How can we use less transportation energy? Buying your food locally is a big step in using less transportation energy. Second, you can reduce the amount of time you drive and carpool when possible. Public transportation is another option that uses far less energy than a single car.

Effects in biodiversity and regions

The climate can have a lot of impact on biodiversity of a region. The flora and the fauna of a particular region accustom themselves to a particular climate over a period of time. If there are considerable changes in the climate, it could lead to adverse effects. For example, in regions where there is less rainfall, there are fewer species of plants and animals. Hence, the biodiversity in these areas should also be given a lot of priority as with loss of each species, there is a higher percentage of loss of the regions biodiversity. The impact of climate change on biodiversity is being felt throughout the world; even in arid regions where the biodiversity is very delicate. In all these regions, local people have realized the importance of biodiversity. Hence, thy have devised several ways of limiting their impact. Some regions have been subjected to changes in climate. For example, the melting of glaciers in the Antarctic region has destroyed the habitat of polar bars and many other species such as penguins. Deforestation is driving many wild animals into urban areas. Changes in the climate also affect the productivity of plants and animals and these changes have also been affected by conflicts. Hence, we need to build up a broader group and make people aware of the how positively or adversely the climatic changes can affect the environment. We have to limit the amount of pollutants in nature as this can lead to adverse changes in climate. For example, the high levels of carbon dioxide in the air due to emissions have led to a considerable rise in the climatic temperature since the last ten years.

Some simple ways we can do to reduce climate change

1. Eat less meat, and eat more vegetables. Cattle are one of the largest producers of methane, a gas that helps contribute to global warming. Cut back on the meat, and you'll be contributing to less methane. 2. Use a more energy efficient vehicle to reduce emissions and oil use. The Toyota Prius always tops the list of most efficient cars, but don't forget the Accord, Sanata, and Jetta. 3. Plant a tree on your own, or in Brazil. You can make donations to help plant trees far away, or plant one locally to help produce more oxygen and filter our air. 4. Take public transportation. Even if you only take public transportation once a week or once a month, you're lessening potential emissions that contribute to climate change. 5. Turn the temperature down on your thermostat to save energy. Any energy you save lessens the amount of fossil fuels used at energy plants. 8. Reuse things in your life. Even recycling takes some amount of energy to transform a material into something else. By reusing, there's no transformation or emissions involved, just a little brain power. 10. Start an herb garden or veggie garden. Nothing tastes fresher, it will save you money, and you won't have to drive in the car to get your herbs and veggies. Very little energy consumed! 11. Unplug energy suckers when they aren't in use. Your appliances, toasters, computers, televisions and cellphone charges all use energy just by being plugged in. So, save energy by unplugging! 12. Use CFL bulbs to reduce electricty usage. They save you money, save the environment, and even glow brighter. 13. Bring your own reusable bags to reduce climate change. Bring them to the grocery store and anywhere else you go shopping. If you have a single item and don't need a bag, don't take one. 30. Reduce the amount of aersols, candles, and perfumes used by switching tonatural perfumes and natural room fresheners. 31. Learn how to recycle things in your life. Start with the obvious choices like cans and bottles, then get more serious (curbside pickup makes it very easy). 50. Most importantly, educate others about climate change.

What do people know about climate change?

The last decade has been marked by growing public concern and widespread media coverage surrounding the possibility of global warming due to an increased green- house effect. To a significant degree, the effectiveness with which society responds to this possibility depends on how well it is understood by individual citizens. As voters, citizens must decide which policies and politicians to support. As consumers, they must decide whether and how to consider environmental effects when making choices such as whether our resources are most efficiently deployed by using paper or polystyrene foam cups.

Almost a third (28%) of South Africans have not heard about global warming or climate change while over a half considered their knowledge as hardly anything or less. Source: EcoLocalizer (http://s.tt/12wJw) The results show that South Africans are poorly informed about climate change and its implications. They lack a full understanding of the impacts it is likely to have on their lives over the next few decades. This hints at difficulties that will be encountered as South Africa addresses climate change.Source: EcoLocalizer (http://s.tt/12wJw)

Solutions how to fight climate change

Earth hour It started in 2007 and is now a worldly event that takes place every March to try to raise awareness about climate change. All you have to do is, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm (your own time), turn off all your lights. Its that easy!

Solution to Smoking - prohibiting or restricting cigarette advertising especially on radio and television. -package warning -cigarette manufacturers be required to put a health warning in their advertising and on cigarette packages. -combat the smoking habit (break the habit by the withdrawal clinics that apply to smokers the Alcoholics Anonymous techniques of informal group therapy and mutual help. There is the so-called Five-Day Plan, an intensive smoking withdrawal approach sponsored mainly by the Seventh Day Adventist Church) -other has recommended drugs, such as nicotine substitutes and tranquilizers combined with physician counseling. Solution on climate change: -Energy conservation will show the earliest payback in terms of CO2 reductions - in many cases an investment in energy conservation made this year will show CO2 reductions this year, and every year thereafter. Because we've been living in a world of artificially cheap energy for decades, there are huge opportunities for energy conservation. -Renewable energy including energy from wind, solar, wave, biofuels, etc., substitutes directly for fossil fuels and eliminates CO2 emissions entirely. A small note of caution is needed - in a few cases, most notoriously certain biofuels, a large amount of energy input is required to create renewable energy, in some cases even exceeding the resulting energy output. Most renewable energy, however, is extremely efficient, and is poised to grow in importance due to the rising costs of fossil fuels. In many places where governments have stepped in to help this process along, renewables are already playing an important role. -Sequestration, or the long-term trapping of carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere, is an intermediate step along the way, but is not a solution in and of itself. Carbon dioxide can be sequestered as a gas by pumping it underground or into the ocean, or it can be sequestered by plants - however carbon sequestered by plants is, in most cases, quickly released to the atmosphere again. The global carbon budget of plants can be changed to sequester a greater amount of CO2 from the atmosphere, but so far we have been doing the opposite - cutting and burning forests for instance has released vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, and poor agriculture has resulted in CO2 being released from the soil. Some of these changes are reversible in the long run. - driving less, insulating your house better, changing voting priorities, buying organic food, eating less meat, buying fuel efficient appliances and vehicles.

Effects on human health

Human Health Climate change may affect peoples health both directly and indirectly. For example, heat stress and other heat related health problems are caused directly by very warm temperatures and high humidity. Untreated, heat stress can be a very serious medical problem. Scientists suspect that, in many places, climate change will increase the number of very hot days that occur during the year. More hot days increases the possibility of heat related health problems. Indirectly, ecological disturbances, air pollution, changes in food and water supplies, and coastal flooding are all examples of possible impacts that might affect human health. How people and nature adapt to climate change will determine how seriously it impacts human health. Some people and places are likely to be affected more than others. Generally, poor people and poor countries are less likely to have the money and resources they need to cope with preventing and treating health problems. Very young children and the elderly adults will run the highest risks.

Effects in Ecological Systems

Climate change may alter the worlds habitats and ecosystems all living things are included in and rely on these places. Many of these places depend on a delicate balance of rainfall, temperature, and soil type. A rapid change in climate could upset this balance and seriously endanger many living things. Most past climate changes occurred slowly, allowing plants and animals to adapt to the new environment or move somewhere else. However, if future climate changes occur as rapidly as some scientists predict, plants and animals may not be able to react quickly enough to survive. The oceans ecosystems also could be affected for the same reasons.

Climate Change Refugees

Rather than building the next Atlantis, the people affected by rising sea levels will move inland in large numbers. Mass migrations never come easy, especially when they involve some of the worlds poorest, with Vietnam, Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria and Egypt expected to be hit especially hard by rising waters. It is estimated that around 200 million people could be affected by sea level rise by the year 2050.6 As climate change refugees migrate in increasingly high numbers, political systems will be tested. In all likelihood, some wont pass.

Sea Level Rise

Global warming may make the sea level become higher. Why? Well, warmer weather makes glaciers melt. A glacier is a large sheet of ice that moves very, very slowly. Some melting glaciers add more water to the ocean. Warmer temperatures also make water expand. When water expands in the ocean, it takes up more space and the level of the sea rises. Sea level may rise between several inches and as much as 3 feet during the next century. This will effect both natural systems and manmade structures along coastlines. Coastal flooding could cause saltwater to flow into areas where salt is harmful, threatening plants and animals in those areas. For example, an increase in the salt content of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays is thought to have decreased the number of oysters able to live in those waters. Oceanfront property would be affected by flooding, and beach erosion could leave structures even more vulnerable to storm waves. Whether we move back from the water or build barricades in the face of a rising sea, it could cost billions of dollars to adapt to such change. Coastal flooding also may reduce the quality of drinking water in coastal areas.

It is not only small island states that need to worry about sea level rise. More than 70 percent of the world's population lives on coastal plains, and 11 of the world's 15 largest cities are on the coastal estuaries. Over the 20th century sea levels rose between 10 and 20 centimetres (4-8 inches). The IPCC puts predictions of 21st century sea level rise at 9 to 88 cm. There are many variables - including how much the expected increase in precipitation will add to snow packs and, most importantly, our greenhouse gas emissions over the next decades. What we do know is that even a small amount of sea level rise will have profound negative effects.

Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps

- two existing ice sheets: Antarctic and Greenland, which together account for more than 90% of the Earth's freshwater. If they were completely melted, the oceans would rise by 68.3 meters. - currently shrinking because melting ice exceeds accumulation of ice from snowfall - global warming and rising temperatures have caused the ice sheets to each melt .21mm/year for more than the past decade

Mass Extinctions and Migrations

Loss of Coral Reefs

Corals get their food from an algae called zooxanthellae, which lives in the coral. This algae is extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and an increase of just 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit can cause corals to expel their algae, or bleach. Over a prolonged period of time, bleaching leads to death.11

Stronger Hurricanes Sweaty Armpits and More Umbrellas

There is a greater than 90 percent likelihood that hot extremes, heat waves, and heavy precipitation events will continue to become more frequent.

Economic Consequences coral reefs provide about $375 billion each year in food and
tourism income.18 Yes, global warming is an economic matter as well. Species Extinction
- most extinction today is "terminal" extinction: where the species becomes extinct without leaving behind any descendants - can be caused by many natural factors (disease, predation, competition etc.) - however much extinction that occurs today is related to the impacts of humans on the environment: overhunting/overfishing (predation), habitat alteration and conversion to farmland (competition for space), pollution, and general climate change

Natural Disasters
[extreme weather changes, causing violent storms or unnatural weather movements that cause major damage to society] -Tornadoes -Tsunamis -Earthquakes -Droughts -Hurricanes

Causes
GreenHouse Effect
The earth's surface absorbs the solar energy and releases it back to the atmosphere as Infrared radiation, some of which goes back into the space. Now some of the IR radiation emitted by the earth is absorbed by the gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere that re-emit the energy as heat back toward the earth's surface and slows its escape from the atmosphere causes the warming known as the Greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is important. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual. Even a little extra warming may cause problems for humans, plants, and animals.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions are Rapidly Accelerating,

It notes that just five countries are responsible for over half of fossil-fuel-related CO2 emissions, with the United States and China alone accounting for more than a third. The United States has been the world's largest emitter for over a century, releasing 1.66 GtC in 2006, or 19.8 percent of global emissions.