Climate Change
Climate change is defined as seasonal fluctuations of weather patterns over a long duration of time (IPCC "Climate Justice 1). The changes in climatic patterns negatively affect the natural environment, cultures, and economic activities. Climate change causes unpredictability in rain patterns, bleaching of coral reefs, and global warming (IPCC "Climate Justice 1). This paper will discuss the anthropogenic and natural causes of climate change and their impacts.
The Anthropogenic and Natural Causes of Greenhouse Gases
The greenhouse gases are produced and emitted into the atmosphere primarily due to anthropogenic activities and natural sources. There are many greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and water vapor (Shaftel et al 1). The heat energy emanating from the sun reaches the planet earth but it is blocked by GHGs from escaping into space. However, the GHGs prevent the escape of heat into space. GHGs create a layer that acts as a blanket that hinders the escape of heat away from the earth hence leading to increased temperature.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide which is an atmospheric gas is produced by both human activities and natural sources. Deforestation is one of the main anthropogenic activities that contribute to the release of CO2 into the earth's atmosphere. The trees absorb CO2 that allows the heat energy from the sun to penetrate the earth's atmosphere but prevents its escape into space. Carbon dioxide is used by trees and plants to manufacture its own food through photosynthesis (Hardy 11). Felling of trees eliminates the capacity of trees to absorb carbon dioxide.
The human beings also contribute to climate change by engaging in other destructive activities such as combustion of fossil fuels such as oil and coal; and agricultural activities that change land use (Shaftel et al 1). On the other hand, Carbon dioxide can be produced naturally through eruptions of volcanic mountains and the respiration process in living things (Shaftel et al 1).
Methane
Methane originates from the landfills or decomposing wastes, paddy fields, and manure from the livestock (Shaftel et al 1). The gas is not one of the components of atmosphere yet it is more abundant compared to Carbon dioxide.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide results from the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers from commercial and agricultural practices (Shaftel et al 1). Other sources of the gas are burning of fossil fuels and biomass; and industrial production of nitric acid.
Effects of Climate Change
Global Warming
The GHGs hinder escape of trapped heat into space thus causing a rise in earth's temperature (IPCC "Climate Justice 1). The changing temperatures have far-reaching consequences. The temperature of the earth on average has increased by 1°Farenheit in a century and it is expected to keep rising (IPCC "Climate Justice 4). The environment in close proximity to the poles will be warmer relative to areas closer to equatorial regions. The warmer regions may experience high evaporation rates and increased precipitation (IPCC "Climate Justice 4). This may affect the abundance and composition of plants and animals found in a specific habitat.
The greenhouse effect also contributes to loss of ice. The warmer temperatures lead to the melting of glaciers and polar ice leading to a rise in sea level (IPCC "Climate Justice 4). Furthermore, the rise in temperature warms the oceans and other water bodies thus raising the sea levels that threaten the existence of low lying coastlines like Southern Florida due to flooding (Shaftel et al 1).
Bleaching of Coral Reefs
Climate change contributes to bleaching of coral reefs. Bleaching in coral reefs is evident when there is a loss of Zooxanthella algae which have a symbiotic relationship with coral tissues. The coral tissues provide a habitat and protection for Zooxanthella (IPCC "Climate Justice 3). On the other hand, the Zooxanthella provides the coral tissues with food manufactured through photosynthesis. The loss of Zooxanthella makes the coral appear white. There are many causes of coral bleaching like inorganic nutrients, sedimentation, variations in sea temperature, dilution of freshwater and solar irradiance (IPCC "Climate Justice 3). Coral bleaching threatens the survival of corals and may lead to their extinction.
Depletion of the Ozone Layer
The Ozone layer prevents the harmful Ultraviolet rays and different wavelengths such as short wavelengths produced by the sun from reaching the earth (Hardy 5). The ozone layer achieves this by absorbing the UV rays and visible light (Hardy 5). The UV rays have been found to cause eye cataracts and skin cancer to human beings (IPCC "Climate Justice 4). It also causes destruction to both animals and plants. The Chlorofluorocarbons such as Freon destroys the stratospheric ozone and creates ozone hole leading to penetration of harmful ultraviolet rays. CFCs are used in refrigeration facilities, air conditioners, and aerosol cans (IPCC "Climate Justice 4). CFCs were banned in the United States n 1978.
Conclusion
Climate change contributes to an increased build-up of GHGs such as Carbon dioxide. They prevent the escape of heat energy into space by trapping it thus creating warmer temperatures on planet earth. The greenhouse effect created results in melting of ice glaciers and warmer oceans that result into an increase in sea level causing flooding on low lying coastlines which threaten the survival of human beings, animals, and plants.
Works Cited
Hardy, John T. Climate change: causes, effects, and solutions. John Wiley " Sons, 2003. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en"lr="id=TKOhTRyFVIkC"oi=fnd"pg=PR9"dq=Climate+change:+causes,+effects,+and+solutions"ots=DdxG86pd9n"sig=q07a3-_2Xx9IAoSA8AWHTHOCTDI"redir_esc=y#v=onepage"q=Climate%20change%3A%20causes%2C%20effects%2C%20and%20solutions"f=false
I. P. C. C., and CLIMATE JUSTICE. "Climate Change." Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, ISBN978.0521 (2007): 88010. Retrieved from https://www.esi.utexas.edu/files/072-Learning-Module-Climate-Change.pdf
Shaftel H, Jackson R " Callery S. A blanket around the Earth (2018). NASA). Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
