Climate Change By Michael Hymowitz
Part 1
Climate change is a massive issue facing the entire world and it is paramount that the magnitude of this crisis is not left forgotten. According to NASA, climate change is "a change in the typical or average weather of a region or city." But it is important to remember that weather does not necessarily mean temperature, as it also incorporates many factors, such as precipitation patterns and humidity levels.
Global Warming
Today, the global community is facing record high average global temperatures, with global carbon dioxide emissions skyrocketing.
As of 2014, thirteen of the fifteen years this millennia are the warmest years on record, with average global temperature rising almost 1°C.
Average global temperatures have been consistently rising for decades and especially so in recent years.
In 2014, many countries faced their warmest year on record, with major potential consequences on the horizon.
Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal. ~ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Rising Sea Levels
With the rise in the average global temperature comes the rising of sea levels. 80% of the additional heat released by the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans, raising their temperatures.
Over the last 100 years, global sea levels rose 6.7 inches. Some studies show that by 2100, the sea levels will have risen 2.5 to 6.5 feet, endangering many coastal cities.
This graph demonstrates sea level changes since 1870.
In addition, melting ice caps and glaciers have contributed to rising sea levels.
Greenhouse Gases
According to most scientific experts in this field, this recent spike in average global temperature and this rapid change of Earth's climate is due to human activities. More specifically, the industrial activities that modern society depends upon has been blamed for why the climate is getting warmer.
These machines and factories have released greenhouse gases into the air. Greenhouse gases absorb the heat from the sun's waves and release that heat into the atmosphere.
The "greenhouse effect" occurs when greenhouse gases release the heat that it had trapped, so it "warm[s] the surface of the Earth and the lower surfaces," according to NASA.
This video shows how average global temperatures have risen over the past 135 years. http://youtu.be/---FX0tFCww
Part 2
Consequences of Climate Change
Climate change continues to be a massive global challenge in the world today, and will continue to in the future. Ignoring this problem has brought about numerous consequences around the world, such as cities and islands drowning and natural disasters.
Historic carbon emissions have already locked in enough future sea level rise to submerge most of the homes in each of several hundred American towns and cities. ~ Climate Central
Scientists believe that due to rising sea levels, it is guaranteed that over 400 Americans cities and towns, including Miami and New Orleans, will eventually be submerged in water.
Scientists conclude that if no action is taken to reduce global carbon emissions, that by 2100, 177,000,000 people (2.6% of the global population) will be subjected to constant flooding.
In terms of the rise of natural disasters, science shows the link between devasting catastrophes, such as megadroughts, hurricanes, and tropical storms, with climate change.
Megadroughts are droughts that last for upwards of a decade. Many scientists believe that the world will be subjected to numerous megadroughts in the near-future.
Hurricanes and tropical storms are also projected to devastate the world more frequently due to climate change. A 2013 study by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concludes that hurricanes and tropical storms will rise significantly by 2100.
Global Response to Climate Change
Many organizations and countries across the world have acted to combat climate change, with the United Nations predominantly leading the effort.
Last year, many nations met in Paris for the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference, with the the intention of passing resolutions to help reduce climate change.
The 195 present nations agree to a global pact called the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions with the overall goal of not letting the global temperature become more than 2°C warmer than pre-industrial times.
A few hours ago, we succeeded. We camE together around a strong agreement the world needed ~ President obama after the conclusion of the un COp21.
Domestically, President Obama's Clean Power Plan seeks to lower carbon emissions 32% by 2030 with the hope of helping the environment, boosting the economy, and improving the health of Americans.
Part 3: Bangladesh
A country feeling the effects of climate change heavily is Bangladesh. This southeastern Asian nation has been subjected to rising sea levels and warmer temperatures, causing extreme and unpredictable weather.
According to National Geographic, Bangladesh "ranks first as the nation most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the coming decades."
Background
Bangladesh is a country struggling with immense poverty. Half of the population lives on $1.25 or less.
Coupled with the fact that this is one of the world's most densely populated countries makes the people very susceptible to disasters.
Also, Bangladesh's government is very ineffective, and does not have the capability to respond to natural disasters.
Effects of Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels
In 2007, numerous floods and cyclone Sidr, the most intense cyclone in Bangladesh since 1991, hit the nation, devastating populations, infrastructure, and the economy. Cyclone Sidr directly affected over 3,000,000 Bangladeshis.
The future of Bangladesh is bleak. It is estimated that 20 million people will lose their homes and become "climate change refugees" by 2050, due to the various affects of climate change.
In addition "if seas levels rise by 3.2 feet, a fifth of the country … [will] be covered by water," according to the Huffington Post. This would predominantly affect the poorest Bangladeshis the most.
Finally, scientists predict that by the year 2020, 500,000,000-750,000,000 people in the region of Bangladesh will be subjected to water stress, or lack of available water sources to meet the needs of a population.
Part 4: Solutions
While climate change is arguably the biggest global challenge the world faces, it is a problem that can be solved, but only with the utmost dedication and cooperation from every country across the globe. It is necessary that solutions are created and implemented as soon as possible as to limit the damage that climate change causes.
Preserving the Environment
According to Scientific American, "Timber harvesting in the tropics alone contributes 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere." That works out to be 20% of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementing ways to help the environment in daily life, such as recycling, can significantly help the environment. Recycling uses less energy than landfills do, preserving natural resources for future generations.
Upgrade Infrastructure
Infrastructure worldwide contributes majorly to greenhouse gas emissions, as buildings across the globe are responsible for one third of all greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, that number rises to 43%.
In 2005, the United States contributed 50,700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through cement production, which is used to make roads and buildings.
It is important to find more environment-friendly ways to create and preserve the world's infrastructure globally.
Renewable Energy Sources
Significantly decreasing fossil fuel use, such as coal and oil, and converting to renewable energy sources, such as oil and wind, is important in preserving the atmosphere and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable resources are very promising as they offer a viable, bio-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. A couple renewable resources already in use are solar panels and bioplasctics
Shifting away from fossil fuels will be very difficult to achieve as it plays a crucial role in the global economy, but this change still is necessary for ensuring that this planet will remain habitable for future generations.
Conclusion
Clearly, climate change is a massive issue that affects the entire global community. It is necessary that the global community unifies and cooperates to combat climate change, in order to keep this world habitable for future generations. The world must remember that this global challenge is urgent and must be dealt with swiftly in order to limit the damage and save vulnerable places, such as Bangladesh.