Climate Change refers to significant alterations in the patterns of temperature, precipitation, winds and other elements of the weather that are characteristic of a region or the globe. These alterations lasts for an extended period of time. Climate change is often linked to global warming which is the ongoing rise of average global temperatures, particularly within the last 150 years. This recent change has been attributed to the increased use of fossil fuels.
Evidence of climate change include:
Causes of climate change and global warming
There is evidence to suggest that we have experienced climate change of the Earth before. However, recent changes in weather patterns have been linked to the Industrial Revolution - a period that marked a significant increase in fossil fuel use. The burning of such substance pump huge amounts of gases into the atmosphere that trap heat on the Earth's surface. These are called Greenhouse gases (GHGs) since they make the Earth's atmosphere behave like a greenhouse. The atmosphere generally functions like an efficient cooling system, regulating the re-radiated heat that comes from the warming of Earth's surface by the Sun by allowing excess radiation to escape back into space. GHGs act like the roof of a green house, blocking some of the heat from escaping thereby warming the planet. As you would have already learnt, temperature is the most important element of climate, thus global warming would affect the entire climate system of the Earth. Other sources of GHGs include natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the two largest (and natural) sources of GHGs. Some factors affecting GHG emissions include:
Consequences of climate change
It is important to note that while global warming is the leading cause of climate change, in some instances weather pattern reversals can result in some places occasionally experiencing colder conditions than normal while other regions experience heat waves as the Earth seeks to attain equilibrium. Some notable consequences of climate change include:
Facing the challenges of climate change
Some people are not convinced that global warming and climate change are actually taking place. Therefore, they adopt a 'business as usual' approach. Such countries like the USA have refused to reduce GHG emissions and have not committed to any international efforts to do the same. For most other countries however, responses to climate change globally, regionally and nationally take on two forms:
Required reading: The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography - Mark Wilson Pages 115 - 133.
After completing the required reading, make notes in your books that answer the following questions:
Evidence of climate change include:
- Melting ice caps of Greenland and Antarctica.
- Warmer summer and milder winters of regions such as Canada
- Higher than normal average and maximum temperatures in many regions including the Caribbean
- The upward migration of alpine plants as their former habitats become too warm
Causes of climate change and global warming
There is evidence to suggest that we have experienced climate change of the Earth before. However, recent changes in weather patterns have been linked to the Industrial Revolution - a period that marked a significant increase in fossil fuel use. The burning of such substance pump huge amounts of gases into the atmosphere that trap heat on the Earth's surface. These are called Greenhouse gases (GHGs) since they make the Earth's atmosphere behave like a greenhouse. The atmosphere generally functions like an efficient cooling system, regulating the re-radiated heat that comes from the warming of Earth's surface by the Sun by allowing excess radiation to escape back into space. GHGs act like the roof of a green house, blocking some of the heat from escaping thereby warming the planet. As you would have already learnt, temperature is the most important element of climate, thus global warming would affect the entire climate system of the Earth. Other sources of GHGs include natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the two largest (and natural) sources of GHGs. Some factors affecting GHG emissions include:
- Burning of fossil fuels by vehicles and industries
- Deforestation - photosynthesis by trees takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and replace it with oxygen
- Methane - produced by livestock waste and rice fields as well as garbage dumps
- Nitrous oxide - exacerbated by the use of chemical fertilizers, burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of synthetic products such as nylon
Consequences of climate change
It is important to note that while global warming is the leading cause of climate change, in some instances weather pattern reversals can result in some places occasionally experiencing colder conditions than normal while other regions experience heat waves as the Earth seeks to attain equilibrium. Some notable consequences of climate change include:
- Reduced availability of potable (drinking) water due to increased droughts
- Decreased average precipitation for the year
- Drops in agricultural yields in some regions but a longer growing season in higher latitudes
- Sea level rise and coastal erosion
- Further melting of ice-caps
- Changes in the seasons
- The spread of tropical diseases to higher latitudes
- Desertification
- More powerful hurricanes
- Damage to coral reefs due to bleaching and decreased seawater salinity
- Negative impacts on Caribbean tourism and the economy
Facing the challenges of climate change
Some people are not convinced that global warming and climate change are actually taking place. Therefore, they adopt a 'business as usual' approach. Such countries like the USA have refused to reduce GHG emissions and have not committed to any international efforts to do the same. For most other countries however, responses to climate change globally, regionally and nationally take on two forms:
- Adaptation - changing our lifestyles and preparing to treat with the evolving situation such as rationing water and energy use, planning emergency management, moving away from coastlines and planting more drought-resistant crops.
- Mitigation - corrective actions taken to reduce or stop global warming and climate change such as reducing the use of fossil fuels, reafforestation and signing international agreements that legally bind other countries to do the same.
Required reading: The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography - Mark Wilson Pages 115 - 133.
After completing the required reading, make notes in your books that answer the following questions:
- Are there any positives to global climate change? Explain.
- What is meant by the El Nino and how does climate change amplify its impacts?
- How do GHGs interact with short and long-wave radiation from the Sun?
- Describe in detail three ways in which climate change can affect human health and comfort.
- Describe two alternative and 'safe' sources of energy and identify Caribbean countries that have used them.
- Discuss two strategies taken by the UK to reduce the impacts of climate change.
- What is the Kyoto agreement?
- What is the CCCCC and what does it do?
- Identify and describe the effects of one other well-known GHG not mentioned in this web note.
- Explain the agreement between Guyana and Norway to reduce GHG emissions.
To complete the puzzle below, click the first ans last letters of the words you find!