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What are the effects of climate change essay
What are the effects of climate change essay
Effects of climate change on the planet
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The issue of climate change is multi-faceted and effects many domains of human life, impacting social, economic, and environmental factors. It is expected that Canada and other northern regions of the globe will experience the greatest impacts of climate change due to the northern latitude and landmass size of these territories (Cox et al., 2013). These warmer temperatures are predicted to create social and epidemiological concerns as well, welcoming an onslaught of pathogens, both old and new (Cox et al., 2013). Environmentally, climate change and global warming have significant effects on biomass and forest life. Decreased water availability has been shown to have negative effects on forestry in western Canada (Chen & Luo, 2015). In many …show more content…
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change states that a new long-term goal has been set for Canada, and is as follows: Ontario will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below what 1990 levels were by the year 2050 (Government of Ontario, 2015). Progress will be marked at two check in dates in 2020 and 2030, respectively (Government of Ontario, 2015). Following global trends, April 2015 marked the implementations of the carbon cap and trade system in Ontario (Government of Ontario, 2015). This is believed to be one of the most effective tools at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and works by setting limits on emissions, while allowing businesses to trade carbon allowances (EDF, 2015). There is also potential for businesses to gain revenue from low emission rates, which serves as an added incentive to comply (EDF, 2015). Part of Ontario’s 2014 climate change strategy was to eliminate coal-driven energy production, which made Ontario the first province or territory to do so in the country (Ministry of Energy, 2014). This non-renewable energy source has been replaced with cleaner sources of energy, such as nuclear, water, wind, solar, natural gas, and biomass, all of which have resulted in a cleaner, high quality environment (Ministry of Energy,
6. Scheueneman, Tom. "A Carbon Tax is More Viable than Cap and Trade." RSS. 26 July 2012. The Energy Collective. 11 Mar. 2014 .
Climate and weather are similar, describing how the atmosphere behaves, the difference being the timescale (Conway, 2010). Weather is a short-term scale of temperature and precipitation, usually considering weeks or less (ibid). Climate, however, is a long term description of months or longer, describing different seasons and trends of temperature and precipitation. Climate of Vancouver is typically mild during the spring and summer and damp during the autumn and winter, and unlike other mountainous areas of British Columbia, it is not excessively cold or snowy (“Hello BC”, n.d.).
According to one government analysis, the crude from Canada’s oil sands will emit seventeen percent more greenhouse gas pollution than there processes used for conventional oil, making it even more controversial against environmentalists (Davenport par. 6). The concerns are reflected in great quantity of carbon in the tar sands, “Ensure that they will play an important role in whether or not climate change gets out of hand” (Clayton 2). In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A) noticed the impact it would have on greenhouse gas emissions. According to the E.P.A., “The recent drop in global oil prices might mean that contraction of the pipeline vault spur increased development of Canadian oil sands—and thus increase planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions” (Davenport par
Climate change is no doubt one of the greatest threats to this planet today. Coastal cities flooding due to melting ice caps and rising water levels, cities experiencing extreme weather, and ocean life dying because of warmer water temperatures, it is not wonder why so many scientist and country leaders are worried about the safety and future of their country. The U.S. is just one of these countries where climate change endangers 333 million people. That is why the U.S. must take action to assure the future of their residents and safety of their numerous coastal cities. Due to the rising coastal water levels, previous legislative mistakes, and the risk of further climate change consequences, President Trump should acknowledge the need for the
Dybas. C.L (2008) ‘Climate, Environment, and Infectious Diseases: A Report from the AIBS 2008 Annual Meeting’, BioScience, Vol. 58 (No. 9). Available from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1641/B580903 [Accessed 12 March 2014]
Climate change is on the international policy agenda primarily because of warnings from scientists. Their forecasts of a potentially dangerous increase in the average global temperature, fortuitously assisted by unusual weather events, have prompted governments to enter into perhaps the most complicated and most significant set of negotiations ever attempted. Key questions - the rapidity of global climate change, its effects on the natural systems on which humans depend, and the options available to lessen or adapt to such change - have energized the scientific and related communities in analyses that are deeply dependent on scientific evidence and research.
The threat of climate change in recent years is recognized as a real and potentially catastrophic threat to the health and welfare of our planet, as industrialized nations continue to run their economies by burning carbon into the atmosphere. Recently, it has taken on a larger role in our national media, the public, and the government, as the effects of anthropogenic climate change become more evident. In the United States, for example, the year 2007 brought the first major piece of legislation in the country to address the problem under the Climate Security Act, and the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had authority to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant. Today, many politicians, economists, scientists, and environmentalists propose a solution that would create a regulated market based on emissions into the atmosphere, effectively internalizing all negative externalities. It’s called cap and trade, and it has a lot of potential to help incentivize the implementation of alternative forms of energy, has several different variations and alternatives, and has already been successful in many programs around the world.
The topic of climate change and global warming has always been one of great debate and controversy; however, it’s clear to see that Canadians should take precautions to avoid the problems their country faces. The Canadian government should do everyth...
Putting a strong emphasis on initiatives such as the Canada Clean Energy Dialogue can help do this, as well as switching to using low-impact renewable energy. This policy is one that I do recommend to the Prime Minister, as it works well with the Paris Agreement and is evidently the most effective one due to the advantages that it will have in the arctic. The Paris Agreement does aim to lower greenhouse gasses. All parties are required to provide information focusing on progress of their greenhouse gas emissions targets and efforts of adaptation. In addition to this, Canada has the technology to develop new knowledge about permafrost, which is an advantage for studying greenhouse gas emissions. Canada and the United States have established the Clean Energy Dialogue, which is to develop efficient technologies to reduce greenhouse gasses and the development clean energy in order to fight climate change. This is an adequate initiative because the United States and Canada share the closest energy relationship in the world, as both countries are very resourceful when concerning natural resources and possess talented human resources to incorporate in the protection of the environment. In working on switching to cleaner energies such as natural gas, it enables reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at a
There are many things that can impact the economy, but many people would not think that global warming has much of an effect on it. Global warming is continuing to become a very large concern for people across the world. This topic is very controversial due to the fact that many people fail to believe that global warming even exists. In this case, it will often be looked at as climate changes instead.
One of the most urgent environmental and social issue is climate change, its being talked about all over the world since its affecting billions of lives.The earth goes through a period of cool and warm period, which are called climate change. Climate change is when the earth gets warmer or cooler due to the amount of sunlight it receives from the sun. Climate changes isn't just affecting humans, its affecting the whole ecosystem. Coral reefs are turning white and polar ice caps are turning black. Animals are becoming extinct because their environment is being threatened. People all over the country and world are becoming aware that the climate is changing, especially after this year. It snowed in cities that usually do not get snow, it snowed in spring, and also flooding in some cities. The country is starting to realize the role human activities play on climate changes, and because humans are responsible for the rapid climate changes they must take actions to protect the environment. There has been periods of Global Warming in history that were mainly naturally caused but the most recent one which is happening now is influenced mostly by humans. Scientists have been debating on whether or not Global Warming is caused by humans. Both sides, however agree that as sunlight enters the earth's surface only a little bit is reflected back into space, most of it is absorbed into the earth which keep the earth warm, and the rest is absorbed into the atmosphere. As college students, we must work together to come up with a plan to help reduce greenhouse emission. Since in the book of Genesis 1 and 2 it says that God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden as caretakers. Their job was to care for the everything in the garden, they weren't...
It is an unquestioned fact that the climate is changing. There is abundant evidence that the world is becoming warmer and warmer. The temperature of the global land average temperature has increased by about 8.5 degrees centigrade from 1880 to 2012 (Karr, et al 406). The one or two degrees increase in temperature can cause dramatic and serious consequences to the earth as well as humans. More extreme weather occurs, such as heat waves and droughts. The Arctic Region is especially sensitive to global climate change. According to the data in recent decades, the temperature in the Arctic has increased by more than 2 degrees centigrade in the recent half century (Przybylak 316). Climate change has led to a series of environmental and ecological negative
Instilling this new way of energy usage into off-grid communities will inevitably increase the state of living for those in cities and other well-populated areas. The change to renewable energy sources could drastically lower the pollutants currently being dispersed into the atmosphere by coal mines and other harmful power options, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions. a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants.
Climate change is one of the major issues surfacing on Earth over the past century. The earth’s temperature has increased over the years, leading to detrimental effects on the economic and life sources of people, especially that of agricultural production and livestock. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary (2014), defined climate change as a change in global climate patterns apparent from the mid late 20th century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, (2007) predicts that by 2100 the increase in global average surface temperature may be between 1.8° C and 4.0° C. With increases of 1.5° C to 2.5° C, approximately 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species are expected to be at risk of extinction. Moreover, the IPCC (2007) purported that climate change has severe consequences for food security in developing countries.