Climate Change Explained
Contents
The Earth’s climate is driven by a continuous flow of energy from the sun.Energy in the form of heat, from the sun, passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and warms the Earth’s surface. As the temperature increases, the Earth sends heat energy (infrared radiation) back into the atmosphere. Some of this heat is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) , water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and halocarbons.
Watch this video from National Geographic for a short visual explanation of climate change.
These gases, which are all naturally occurring, act as a blanket, trapping in the heat and preventing it from being reflected too far from the Earth. They keep the Earth's average temperature at about 15°C: warm enough to sustain life for humans, plants and animals. Without these gases, the average temperature would be about -18°C... too cold for most life forms. This natural warming effect is also sometimes called the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is the most significant of the gases in our atmosphere which keep the Earth warm.
4 billion years ago its concentration in the atmosphere was much higher than today - 80% compared to today's 0.03%. But most of it was removed through photosynthesis over time.
The Causes
Earth is a very special planet – it orbits close enough to the sun to receive a lot of energy, but far enough away not to be scorched. It is in what you might call the "goldilocks zone", where the conditions are just right for life as we know it. To help keep these conditions constant, our planet is wrapped in a layer of greenhouse gases. This layer acts like a blanket, keeping the earth warm and shielding it from the cold of universe. This is commonly referred to as the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which, while not the most potent greenhouse gas, is nevertheless the main driver of the greenhouse effect. When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 into the atmosphere. Because of this the layer of greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in turn making the Earth warmer. Thus the ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change.
In order to satisfy our endless hunger for energy we are buring unlimited quantities of fossil fuels. But, this does not have to be the case, thanks to human ingenuity there are now smarter ways to make energy.
CO2:
CO2 can be harmless enough when dissolved in a drink – it adds sparkle to mineral water, soft drinks and champagne. However, when excess amounts are released into the atmosphere it can cause untold damage. How CO2 causes global warming.
Where does CO2 come from?
In terms of fuels, the main problem is coal. The other key reason is waste – inefficient use of energy. And in terms of industries, the main culprit is electricity production – the power industry.
Video Resources
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An Introduction to Climate Change
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Saving Water Saves Energy
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Climate Change and its Effects on Wildlife
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Food Miles and Wastage
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Clean, Green Energy
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Energy Efficiency at School and Money Matters
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Ocean Acidification and Desertification
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Climate Change and Extreme Weather
The Impacts
The climate plays such a major part in our planet's environmental system that even minor changes have impacts that are large and complex. Climate change affects people and nature in countless ways, and it often increases existing threats that have already put pressure on the environment. But it is not a problem which has appeared overnight – it's 30 years since scientists first alerted the world to the dangers of climate change. How much longer are we going to allow it to continue? Changes in nature has serious implications for people and our economic system. The insurance industry estimates the potential economic damage, caused by the impacts of global warming, to be hundreds of billions of dollars each year.
Impacts on Water:
Rivers and lakes supply drinking water for people and animals, as well as being vital for agriculture and industry. Oceans and seas provide food for billions of people. Climate change will have major and unpredictable effects on the world's water systems, including an increase in floods and droughts. Extremes in droughts and flooding will become more common, causing displacement and conflict. Less fresh water means less agriculture, food and income.
Impacts on Forests:
Forests do so much: they purify our air, improve water quality, keep soils intact, provide us with food, wood products and medicines, and are home to many of the world’s most endangered wildlife. In fact, an estimated 1.6 billion people worldwide rely on forests for their livelihoods, including 60 million indigenous people who depend on forests for their subsistence.
Forests also help protect the planet from climate change by absorbing massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major source of pollution that causes climate change. Unfortunately, forests are being destroyed or damaged at an alarming rate by logging and burning to clear land for agriculture or livestock. These activities release huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Scientists estimate that up to 20 percent of global carbon emissions come from deforestation – greater than the combined emissions of every car, truck and plane on the planet. So instead of forests helping us to solve the climate crisis, deforestation is making the situation worse.
Impacts on Food Security
Climate change will have a significant impact on food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability in many parts of the world. Climate change poses a significant risk of increased crop failure, loss of livestock and will impact on local food security.
In some areas drier and warmer conditions are predicted, elsewhere wetter and cooler conditions are expected which will negatively affect agricultural practices. It will affect human health and livelihoods, as well as people’s purchasing power, food markets and food security at household levels.
Impacts on Agriculture
Many people throught the world rely on rain-fed agriculture. As a result, it is highly vulnerable to changes in climate variability, seasonal shifts, and precipitation patterns. Any amount of warming will result in increased water stress. Roughly 70 percent of the population lives by farming, and 40 percent of all exports are agricultural products (WRI 1996). One-third of the income in Africa is generated by agriculture. Crop production and livestock husbandry account for about half of household income. The poorest members of society are those who are most dependent on agriculture for jobs and income. (Odingo 1990; FAO 1999).
The Solutions
By 2050, we could get all the energy we need from renewable sources. Achieving this goal IS possible. This will solve most of the problems of climate change and dwindling fossil fuel resources. Paramount will be the substantive increase in measures to conserve energy in all sectors. We can show that such a transition is not only possible but also cost-effective, providing energy that is affordable for all and producing it in ways that can be sustained by the global economy and the planet.
Energy efficiency may well be the most rapid and cost-effective tool to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, yet it is still overlooked by many businesses and governments.Increases in energy efficiency must be seen as a crucial part of reducing CO2 emissions and minimising our dependence on fossil fuels.
Renewable energy generated from natural sources – water, wind, solar, biomass or geothermal – will play a key role in replacing the world's dependence on fossil fuel based energy sources, such as coal, oil and natural gas which are not renewable. This means once that source of energy has been used, it is gone!
Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) is technology that removes and stores the CO2 during the production of energy from fossil fuels. With further research and investment, CSS technology may prove to be the bridging technology needed to 'get us over the line'.
Preventing forest loss will go a long way to reducing the threat of climate change. Forests are the largest storehouse of carbon, after coal and oil. When they are destroyed – by logging and clearing for developing – massive quantities of CO2 is released into the atmosphere.
The above information was taken from the WWF website
Climate Change in the News
The 2015 Climate change target: 192 nations, two weeks of negotiations – and one world to save
31 December 2014
At the end of this year nearly 200 countries will meet in Paris to hammer out an agreement on reducing carbon emissions. Tom Bawden reports on its global aims – and its chance of success
The People's Climate march: For 72 hours the world takes to the streets and tells leaders: 'Act now on climate change'
21 September 2014
It promises to be an unparalleled demonstration of the world’s fury at its leaders’ continued failure to tackle climate change: an unprecedented statement by hundreds of thousands of people.
The above headlines were taken from Independent.ie
Video Resources
An Introduction to Climate Change
What’s up with climate change? In this video from Business Insider and StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the impact of burning fossil fuels and releasing carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. You’ll learn about melting icecaps, rising water levels, and the potential impact of coastal erosion on civilization. Neil also discusses the greenhouse effect and global warming, and why he doesn’t want Earth to end up like Venus.
In this video, John Green teaches you about the Little Ice Age. The Little Ice Age was a period of global cooling that occurred from the 13th to the 19th centuries. This cooling was likely caused by a number of factors, including unusual solar activity and volcanic eruptions. The Little Ice Age greatly impacted human social orders, especially during the 17th century. When the climate changed, and weather became unpredictable, the world changed profoundly. Poor harvests led to hunger, which led to even less productivity, which even resulted in violent upheaval in a lot of places. All this from a little change in the temperature? Definitely.
Our planet is vast. It is difficult to comprehend the scale. It is difficult too to comprehend the scale of humanity and the vast changes we've wrought in a lifetime. Population, production and consumption have grown exponentially. Roads, railways, airlines, shipping routes. The digital revolution. We've created a globally interconnected society. Evidence is mounting we've entered the Anthropocene. Humanity is altering Earth's life support system. Carbon dioxide emissions are accelerating. Greenhouse gas levels are unprecedented in human history. The climate system is changing rapidly...
This video shows the impacts, adaptation and vulnerability imposed by climate change. This informative documentary sheds light on an otherwise unspoken topic. It also includes several interviews from various scientists and people directly affected by climate change.
This 60-second animation from the world's two leading science academies brings you the science behind climate change...Climate science explained in 60 seconds by the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences.During the last 200 years, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels have increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere by 40%. If unchecked, continuing emissions will warm up the planet by 2.6°C to 4.8°C by the end of this century. This would have serious implications for human societies and the natural world.
Saving Water Saves Energy
This video is a fun animation depicting water conservation. It uses the concept of 'Watr Saving Heroes,' in order to promote the idea of conserving water for present and future generations.
Thirsty? So is everyone else. We're headed for a water shortage. Here's how simple daily choices can reduce your water use.
There is the same amount of water on Earth today as there was when the dinosaurs roamed. And just less than one percent of the planet's water is available to meet the daily drinking water, sanitation and food needs of nearly 7 billion people and millions of other species. Learn more about water in all its forms and how you can make a difference.
Did you know that only 1% of Earth's water is fresh and available for consumption? Fresh water is the world's most essential natural resource, but it's also one of the most threatened. National Geographic magazine's April issue celebrates and explores this important resource.
Want to know what little changes you can make to save water, energy and money in your home? Kate Humble demonstrates how easy water and energy saving measures are to implement in this short How to video. This guide focuses on two high water and energy usage areas in the home - the bathroom and kitchen. Kate will give you everyday water and energy saving tips and will also show you what water efficiency gadgets you can install for less than £25!
Climate Change and its Effects on Wildlife
Watch this video by the Environmental Protection Agency on climate change and how it adversely effects wildlife and our ecosystems.
Climate change is not a theory. It's a reality here in the Arctic. For polar bears climate change may be a death sentence. To hunt for seals which is their primary source of food, the bears must first swim long distances until they find stable sea ice. Without the ice, the bears cannot survive.
In clear and direct language, one of the world's leading coral scientists, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, presents his scientific findings that show how increasing C02 levels are pushing the world's coral reefs to the brink of extinction. In this authoritative 27 min video, he describes how increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere are bringing about both warming of the seas and ocean acidification, which may both accelerate the disappearance of coral reefs in the next few decades. He warns that current efforts to curb C02 emissions are falling well short of what's needed to protect coral reefs.
Global warming threatens the survival of nearly half the bird species in the continental United States and Canada, including many of the birds we see every day. Learn how you can help save our birds...
Food Miles and Wastage
This video illustrates the journey most of our food takes before it reaches our plates. It also addresses how much energy is used up in the food production process, as well as the negative impacts food miles have.
In its broadest sense an eco-footprint represents the amount of land and water it takes to provide the resources required to sustain a person's consumption levels, and re-absorb the associated waste. One of the major societal contributions to our eco-footprint is our production and consumption of food. Our food eco-footprint is the consequences of the food we eat, and how it is produced and the rate by which it is consumed, which also creates an interconnection between food consumption and climate change.
Do you know how much energy it takes to prepare your dinner? You may think eating fish fingers is as easy as popping them under the grill, but just how much energy was involved in their manufacture? 'Supervalue' begins with ocean fishing and follows the process through transport, manufacturing, assembly, refrigeration, transport, storage in supermarket, purchase, refrigeration, cooking and then finally to its decomposition.
This video podcast examines the relationship between energy prices, which increased sharply in mid-2008, and a corresponding increase in food prices.
Clean, Green Energy
A new wave of technologies is on the verge of producing energy that's clean, renewable, and most importantly, affordable. This video has been made by National Geographic.
Capstone Turbine Corporation® is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was first to market with commercially viable air bearing turbine technology. The company has shipped thousands of Capstone turbines to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.
A simple and easy to understand animation which explains how solar panels work.
This video explains the general concept of geothermal energy as well as how it is generated, harnessed and converted into electricity. See how we can generate clean, renewable energy from hot water sources deep beneath the Earth's surface. The video highlights the basic principles at work in geothermal energy production, and illustrates three different ways the Earth's heat can be converted into electricity.
Energy Efficiency at School and Money Matters
Endeavour Middle School, part of New Haven Community Schools, was built with energy efficiency in mind. From the physical building, to the 60 ft wind turbine, to the integrated renewable energy curriculum, Endeavour Middle School is leading the charge towards energy awareness and education.
This short animation is a brilliant illustration of energy conservation and energy efficiency. A family is carelessly and unknowingly wasting energy from the moment they wake up. Until something unexpected happens...
This video is bound to get anyone interested in energy efficiency. Using the 'Draw Your Life' method, this video illustrates several ways in which we can save energy on a regular basis, as well and establishes the basic concepts of energy.
Ocean Acidification and Desertification
This groundbreaking NRDC documentary explores the startling phenomenon of ocean acidification, which may soon challenge marine life on a scale not seen for tens of millions of years. The film, featuring Sigourney Weaver, originally aired on Discovery Planet Green.
This video explores the science behind the phenomenon that it ocean acidification. Why are the oceans becoming more acidic and how does that threaten biodiversity? Human activities produce excessive carbon dioxide and much of it is absorbed by the oceans, where it is converted to an acid.
This video is about the Great Green Wall of China, which was built to combat desertification in China's agricultural land.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather
This video shows the impacts of climate change on weather. It depicts several extreme weather events which are both strange and terrifying in nature.
This video establishes whether or not there is a relationship between extreme weather and climate change, and why. It clearly explains the concept of the 'polar vortex' which has served as proof of a relationship existing between climate change and extreme weather.