Global Climate Change: Getting It Right

Global Climate Change: Getting it Right

INTRODUCTION

What is Climate Change?

Climate change is the foremost, dominating environmental issue of our time, and the greatest challenge facing environmental regulators today. Climate change refers to the significant variations in temperature patterns surrounding events for prolonged periods. Climate change is on the rise and a growing ethical crisis affecting economics, health and safety, food production, and the security of all life on earth. The World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) instituted the IPCC to coordinate efforts towards scientific investigations involving climate change on a national and international scale. Moreover, this effort heightens the public’s understanding regarding climate change research and its complexities. IPCC findings aim at educating, assist in stimulating policies, and help guide decision makers (Stoss, 2000, pp. 36 - 44). This essay will discuss the alarming evidence surrounding what causes climate change, its impact, and the various reactions to climate change. In addition, offer responses to initiate potential solutions for adopting sustainable practices.

Causes

Research has discovered there are several greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere and climatologists prove human activity is mainly responsible for the changing climatic conditions. Anthropogenic air pollution emanates in various ways; emissions from industrial factories, smokestacks, cars, and planes are common sources of atmospheric pollutants. Earth's atmosphere primarily consists of nitrogen and oxygen, gasses that are transparent to incoming solar radiation and transparent to outgoing infrared radiation. Greenhouse gasses that heat the Earth and release heat back into space; unlike, nitrogen and oxygen that do not absorb or emit solar or infrared energy. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gasses trap heat in the Earth before radiating back into space.

Each of these gasses can remain in the air for extended periods. Regrettably, these gasses make the Earth warmer by acting like a thick blanket. Furthermore, high concentrations of water vapor control the temperature of the atmosphere; allowing excess moisture to produce droplets that form precipitation. Scientific studies expose identifiable human activities that emit additional greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. These changes in the environment intensify global warming and enhance the Greenhouse Effect.

Impact of Climate Change

A thorough overview of the effects of climate change gives evidence to the earth retaining heat. Environments observed in recent years indicate changes forthcoming. For example, regions typically experiencing high temperatures