Environmental Degradation
'Climate Change'
Climate change is causing global precipitation patterns to change.
http://slccgeosciencedepartment.yolasite.com/environmental-degradation.php
by: Rachel Robichaux
What is the root cause of your chosen environmental issue?
“Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that global warming is mostly caused by increases in greenhouse gases from human activities. These activities include the burning of forests and other vegetation, the burning of fossil fuels (such as oil) for transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal) for energy production.”
(http://www.naturalhazards.org/hazards/climate/index.html)
People, the planet it becoming over populated and cannot keep up with the heat from natural sources of the earth, but it especially cannot keep up with man-made and forced heat. The earth has created a ‘greenhouse effect.’ The heat and the air are trapped inside the planet earth because the gases cannot escape with creating more gases.
“About half the light reaching Earth's atmosphere passes through the air and clouds to the surface, where it is absorbed and then radiated upward in the form of infrared heat. About 90 percent of this heat is then absorbed by the greenhouse gases and radiated back toward the surface, which is warmed to a life-supporting average of 59 degrees Fahrenheit.” (http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/)
Where is it occurring?
This is happening everywhere. Places that were in high risk of little rains now have none and places that got hit by heavy storms and rain now get struck with a series or natural hazard hurricanes and tsunamis. Extreme weather conditions are at the highest and the planet is constantly being attacked with natural disasters. Humans are being forced to move and with all these natural attacks the economy is beginning to suffer and cannot keep up with what nature throws out. Snow is melting in the upper North and Rains are at the highest in the south. It is constantly raining on the West coast and in a constant blizzard on the East coast. The planet is heating up, the fresh water levels are disappearing and the sea levels are rising.
"Communities that rely on farming for survival face increasing hardships because of climate change. Many areas that were once drought prone are now in drought all the time. Storms are more severe - often wiping out annual crops. Sources of fresh water are drying up. In the worst cases, entire communities are being forced to move. They move in search of more fertile farmland or in some cases, to find other ways to earn an income. This can lead to overcrowding in cities and towns, conflict, and further food and water shortages." ((http://worldvision.com.au/issues/Climate_Change/Where_is_it_happening_.asp)
Why is this this occurring?
This is occurring because of humans and human activity, natural heat mixed with man-made heat. The population is growing and the earth cannot filter its air. It is only human nature to reproduce and populate, economize and socialize, but humans are not growing and using their resources sufficiently.
”Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that global warming is mostly caused by increases in greenhouse gases from human activities. These activities include the burning of forests and other vegetation, the burning of fossil fuels (such as oil) for transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal) for energy production."
What is being done or what can be done to handle this environmental issue?
People and major companies all over the world dedicate business, work and creations strictly save the planet and use it's natural resources, solar energy, clean air, recycling, etc..
."Human activities are greatly accelerating natural climate change. In this case, preventive medicine is the best kind of medicine; curbing the activities that are likely contributing the most to climate change, such as fossil fuel burning, may eventually decrease the rate and extent of climate change. Implementing renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and high-efficiency automobiles (such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius) are important steps towards reducing fossil fuel emissions. Building cities that emphasize walking, biking, and mass transportation can reduce fuel consumption and improve physical health. These steps also work toward improving the quality of the air that we breathe and decreasing our dependency on fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources with dwindling supplies. In other words, addressing the cause of climate change also works to solve several of the other environmental and economic problems our societies face today. Unlike most other natural hazards, climate change is a relatively slow hazard in our lives. This allows for some preparation, but it can also create complacency."
Reflection
Global warming/climate change, however it is said, bottom line it is happening. I believe our world is trying hard to clean up the air and adjust to the growth of human population. Human population will never stop growing, hence the word population, earth is a growing world, a growing planet.
I should probably sit back and give my part back to the planet. I used to think "one person can’t change the world," but one person is one more that is making or trying to make a difference. The planet Earth is precious and how it is treated it will give or take in return. Natural disasters are horrible, devastating and life altering but, humans don’t take care of the planet they take advantage of it, trash it and disrespect it, so Mother Nature disrespects right back.
Natural disasters should be completely avoidable if humans didn’t construct in a non-construction zone or if they don’t build 'below' sea level and climate change should be able to be controlled with replacing all the bad and negative used energy to positive conservative energy.
