There have been preconceived notions about the risks brought by Global Warming and Climate Change which makes people afraid and anxious about our planet’s health. Global Warming is the increase in the earth’s temperature since the beginning of industrial revolution because of greenhouse gas emission and burning of the fossil fuels.
Climate change is the long-term changes to earth’s climate including wind patterns, temperature, rain, snowfall, etc. The world has warmed its temperature approximately by 0.85oC in the last 130 years and it has been successively warmer than any preceding decade each of three last 3 decades since 1850.
Does this two differ from each other? What is the relationship of these two issues in the health of planet earth, as well as the impacts to the living and non-living creatures?
New studies about our planet getting warmer have been reported due to pollutants that are clogging up the atmosphere, then the sun’s heat is trapped and various natural disasters like wildfires, melting of glaciers, the unexplained weather patterns and shifts have been developed over time. This is a clear example that the planet earth is in danger, that global warming is the main core of climate change on this planet and getting the facts about climate change is important.
Average Temperatures And Temperature Extremes
Cutting Carbon Pollution And Expanding Clean Energy
Get The Facts
The Earth’s temperature has risen.
In the late 19th century, Earth’s average surface temperature has risen 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.1 degrees Celsius. It was 2016 that was recorded as the warmest year ever, 8 of the 12 months, however, make up the year – from January to September, excluding June – were the warmest month that was ever recorded since. One great contributing factor is because of Carbon Dioxide that its heat is a trap in the atmosphere. Scientists have measured this idea in the laboratory for over 150 years and no one ever claims to dispute or refute this fact.
If people could lessen the production of carbon dioxide, then it would greatly help preserving nature but it is known to be true that humans are the ones who far more produce CO2 than plants and oceans can absorb. This means that since gases stay in the atmosphere for a long period, global warming would continue even emissions are entirely eliminated today, this could also cause temperature and sea levels increase for about century only after the emissions stop.
For the last 100 years, the global sea level has increased for about 8 inches, but, the increase of the sea level has been evident in just two decades. Along with the increase of the sea level, it goes also with its temperature. Because of the melting of mountain glaciers, ice sheets, and ice cap, the sea level is expected to increase in the coming years. Ocean water will naturally expand as water temperature rises with the global temperature. No wonder that over time the sea levels will infringe on land which is from families to business and even to communities.
Human activity is adding carbon dioxide to Earth’s atmosphere.
While the carbon dioxide concentration varies naturally over long periods of time, measurements show that it is now far higher than it has been for at least 800,000 years. There are several human undertakings that increase the levels of greenhouse gas albeit a specific amount of Carbon Dioxide occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere naturally. As simple as breathing, digesting the food you eat are basic human undertaking that has a production of Carbon Dioxide though it’s quite minimal.
What’s the Impact?
Threatens Health
According to WHO (World Health Organization), because of climate change, the clean air, safe drinking water, adequate food and security of shelter of health have greatly affected the social and environmental factors of health. It has been projected that between the year 2030 and 2050, there will be approximately 250, 000 more deaths every year due to heat stress, malaria, diarrhea and other forms of malnutrition is highly caused by climate change.
Most developing countries with poor health infrastructure will be ones at least be able to cope without assistance and it is estimated between US$ 2-4 billion/year by 2030 as the direct damage health cost, that is why to improve one’s health, people must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, for instance, developing better transport, food, and energy particularly by reducing air pollution.
Aggressiveness and high Temper
A new study relates to when the world gets hotter, temper tends to get fiercer, it found that it becomes more likely to commit violent crimes as the temperature rises. People are prepped for a physical response since heart rates tend to be elevated in warm weather. But it does not mean that humans are headed to its end as the Earth’s temperature warms up. Because of global warming, the decline in conflict might be slowing down. This is essentially correct since our weather influences our mood and disposition.
Another study says, because of Global warming it could likely create a world of violence since higher temperatures increase human aggression and create unstable situations. In addition, when the weather is warm, one-way temperature changes can influence a person’s behavior, for instance, people tend to go outside more when the weather is warmer, which leads to more social interactions.
It has been suggested that there is a relationship between temperature rise and aggressive behavior. High rates of criminality and aggression have been observed during the summer months, suggesting a connection between aggressive behaviors and temperatures and it is likely to happen that the rates of aggression may increase over time due to climate change.
Extreme Heat
The levels of ozone and other pollutants in the air that aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory disease are raised extremely high air temperatures. It critically contributes directly to deaths particularly among elderly people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Pollen and other aeroallergen levels can trigger asthma and if the temperature continues to rise then expectedly this burden would worsen the situation. Heat strokes is another concern that implicates extreme heat, it’s a life-threatening condition which may result in brain damage and worst is death if the body is not cooled quickly. Be alarmed if symptoms of headaches, dizziness, rapid strong pulse, hot dry red skin, confusion, high body temperature more than 103°F, nausea and unconsciousness persist.
Extinction of Wildlife Habitat
If the global warming trend continues its current rate, one-fourth of Earth’s species will be headed extinction according to experts as they have prediction by 2050. Because of the rising temperature and changing patterns of precipitation, our oceans, where our plants grow are changing and encouraging the production of species impacts the natural ocean habitat. When habitats literally shift, the wildlife quickly has to adjust to the changing environment. With this, wildlife species go separate ways as means to survive and humans inevitably feel the impact.
The rising of temperature and unpredictable changing patterns of weather have likely the greatest cause of species extinction. Many of the endangered species live in areas that will be severely affected by climate change and it occurs too sudden for many species to adapt.
Economic Impact
It is surely hard to predict the economic impact of climate change. It is safe to say, however, that several key economic sectors can feel long-term impacts of climate change like from fishing, agriculture, to energy to water utilities. The shifting of global climate or climate change will force many industries and different business line to take action immediately and adapt to change due to the warming of seas and rising temperatures.
This impact also goes with tourism and recreation industries since its operation is weather-dependent. As we continue to strive this period wherein climate change impacts all around us and adapting to this kind of change quickly is the key to the progress of the global economy.
Ways to prevent
Learning and understanding the facts and Impacts of Global warming and Climate do not suffice to protect the planet and preserve for the future generation. Most of us are skeptical in extending help but are concerned about the health condition of our planet and the impacts that global warming and climate change is having on her (Earth) and our own respective lives. Here are basic ways to preserve our planet.
Lights are switch off – what happens next? You may consider changing light bulbs to LEDs or known as the compact fluorescent. When an electronic device such as TVs, computer and any other kind of device or technology can be unplugged when not in use. You may consider do the manual thing and live off the grid. Like instead of washing your clothes in a washing machine, to be economical, try the hand wash and hang clothes under the heat of sun., it’s more fun to do it with someone and saves energy more importantly.
There are various ways to power your home, business or wherever you may be using the renewable power such as solar panel, wind turbines, solar hydro and a lot more. This way will not only slice down your electricity bills, power your home, but most importantly, help save the environment from climate change. One simple thing can make a whole lot different.
Start growing your own food in your backyard or use potted plants. It is better to eat organic and locally grown foods not only because it can help improve your health but also preserve the nature. Greenhouse emission gas came from meat and dairy products so this can be a little help from you.
There are numbers of garbage collection that are buried in landfills and this produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. How to get rid this kind of practice? With composting kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, recycling plastic, metal, paper, glass and any other kind of scrap you can actually keep stuff out of landfills. Be resourceful, reduce, reuse, recycle, and do not just throw away things that you might still use but avoid hoarding. Make sure when you keep things you will use it anytime not when the time comes.
Take your good environmental habits into your office and influence your colleagues too. Take a public transport or practice walking going to work especially if the distance is few kilometers away from your home. You may persuade your colleagues to do it gradually and then oftentimes. You only not help the environment; you have become fit as well.
During office works, practice turning off the lights and ACs during noon break, you may also want to consider shutting down your computer rather putting it into sleep or logging off or any other appliances which are not in use when you’re at work. These habits are easy to practice and you never know your company will have gratified you for your own initiative.
- Educate and shape the Future Generations
Now is the time to shape the mind of young generations about climate change and its impacts. It is imperative to help prevent climate change from happening especially the life they can have in the future. Parents, the institution and even the government can work hand in hand simply by leading as an example. If you have children, get them join and involve in making your life greener and give them responsibilities like recycling, conserving energy at home and other initiatives, setting as an example to live a simple life and not to abuse the environment.
- Participate in Fighting Against Climate Change
Look for any opportunity to participate programs or campaigns about fighting against environmental problems. There are plenty of fundraising and awareness-raising events which you can find interesting in both local and national stage. You may also want to conduct an Action Plan to retrain the nation from carbon pollution and this would promote energy efficiency and environmental protection not only today but in the future as well.
EcoBlueLife.com is a replacement water and air filter company located in the United States. The views and opinions contained herein are solely those of the original author and do not represent Eco Blue Life or its affiliates. This article was originally published on TheBerkey.com
