Climate change; What is at stake?

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Climate change; What is at stake?
by Faith Cherotich \| 12-03-2019 22:09 0
“We need to save the earth from climate change”. This is a common phrase amongst environmental crusaders. But is the earth at stake? Does the earth need saving? Geologists have estimated the earth to be around 4.54 billion years old, much older than the human race by billions of years. Throughout its history, there is no doubt that the earth has gone through major changes in its climate. These climatic changes have been attributed to natural factors such as the earth's orbital patterns around the sun, slow buildup of carbon dioxide levels and volcanic activity. Natural climate cycles help scientists understand what climate patterns are expected. Most climate change occurs over geological time scales which give life plenty of time to evolve and adapt. These shifts were generally gradual which means that ocean life and atmospheric gases had more time to adjust over the course of thousands to millions of years. The earth then entered into a rare, stable warm period and temperature that correlated to and supported the agricultural revolution which birthed modern civilization. This was followed by the industrial revolution; we started using fossil fuel as a main source of energy to power everything from homes to transport. Human activity since the industrial revolution has increasingly influenced climate patterns and the earth’s temperature. Modern civilization markers such as energy, technology, population, transport, agriculture, and advanced infrastructure have contributed to the increased fragility of our already changing climate. Fossil fuel energy produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, deforestation for human settlement and urbanization remove trees which help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, cutting down trees releases carbon stored into the atmosphere which adds to the greenhouse effect. Increased livestock production has increased methane production and led to the loss of forest cover for livestock farming. Agricultural production has increased use of fertilizers which produce nitrous oxide emissions and fluorinated gases produce a very strong warming effect, 23 000 times greater than CO2. Greenhouse gas level is up to about 400 parts per million and the current global average temperature has risen to about 0.85ºC higher than it was in the late 19th century. Scientific consensus has pointed to human activity. Rapid CO2 rise and greenhouse gases that are markers of our current civilization, which is a very small fraction of the history of the world, may disrupt gradual natural climate cycle patterns and lead to catastrophic events. Given the small time frame and the rapid rise of greenhouse gases and global warming, our atmosphere and ocean lifetime to adapt and evolve. In summary, life as it is under significant threat and the impact of climate change is already being felt following extreme weather events, melting ice sheets and increased ocean acidification due to the amount of carbon dioxide being absorbed just to name a few. The earth has experienced changing climates and mass extinctions caused by significant events such as asteroid impact and volcanic activity. Nonetheless, it has continued to exist. However, will life as we know it persist in the face of climate change? We are destroying the climate that birthed our civilization, our animal species under threat of extinction, and our environment as it is. We should shift focus on preserving life, forging a sustainable and resilient way of existing on this planet into a world that will continue to support us because our existance is at stake.

Dormant user Faith Cherotich

6 Comments

Kushal Naharki

Kushal Naharki says :
Hello Faith,

Thank you for the report. Climate Change being a global issue impacting many sectors, there can be many things on stake and our future will be in danger if we don't take into account the climate change issue seriously and act from our level. We must act before its too late.

Keep writing beautiful report.
We are eager to read more reports from you.
Green Cheers from Nepal :) :)

Yours,
Kushal Naharki
Posted 17-03-2019 12:27

Wonhee Mentor says :
Hello Faith!

Thank you for your great report. Some people deny the fact that human activities have caused global warming and subsequent climate change due to the historical reasons such as orbital patterns or natural climate cycle. However, it's very interesting that you pointed out human civilization is now the driving force of climate change. It was a great article that covers how the earth's climate has been changed until now. It would be great if you
write an article about regional abnormal climate issues and then compare with this one.
Thank you and keep writing good articles!

Wonehee Mentor
Posted 15-03-2019 15:26

Asmita Gaire says :
Hello faith
Great work
Thank you so much for this wonderful report.
Green cheers
Posted 15-03-2019 10:40

Louis Mentor says :
Hi Faith,

This report is great in a sense you have highlighted the abnormal natural phenomenons that are happening on earch such as rising temperature, greenhouse gas level and so on. It was nice to see you definitely have done some research about this issue and you really made the clear point - The earth is sick. Please keep paying attention on ongoing abnormal changes in regards to environment and I am looking forward to read more reports from you!

Great work!

Louis Mentor
Posted 14-03-2019 10:42