Causes and consequences of climate change

Climate change, a concept that should not be confused as a synonym for global warming, as we explain in the following section, is the change that occurs in the meteorological patterns of the global climate of the earth significantly and prolonged in a period of time that can cover from decades to millions of years.

In itself, the variability of the weather is normal that has occurred throughout the history of the planet, the most outstanding variations produced in the glacier and interglacial cycles over approximately 100,000 years.

Currently scientists work to try to understand what the past climate was like and how it will be in the future. For this, a climatic record has been developed that continues to be built today and that It is based on numerous factors:

• Thermal drilling profiles.
• Flora and fauna records.
• Glacier and periglaciar processes.
• Analysis of sediment layers.
• Records on sea level.

It is one of the many aspects that covers climate change, and refers to the Increased terrestrial atmospheric temperature. It currently refers to the change in temperature produced since approximately the twentieth century, especially in recent decades, where global warming worldwide has been alarming.

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon without which life would not be possible. This is the process by which the Heat retention from the sun In the earth’s atmosphere thanks to a atmospheric gase layer called “greenhouse gases”, being the most efficient and known, although not the only one, carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, without this phenomenon the temperature of the planet would be too cold to develop life in it.

As we said before, climatic variability is normal and is due to variation in various factors that condition it, such as oceanic currents, biotic processes, volcanic activity or variations in the solar radiation received. Therefore, The action of man is not the only cause of climate changebecause this may also be due to these influential natural causes in the climate, as has occurred long ago in the history of the planet.

However, it seems that current climate change has been seen increased due to greenhouse gases mainly produced by the human being, establishing in 95% the certainty of it in 2013. Most of these gases are generated in fossil fuel combustion through cars, factories or electricity production. In addition, the great deforestation has produced a 30% increase in the concentration of these gases since the last century, when the imbalance caused by these gas emissions could be balanced naturally.

Although the main gas that its atmospheric levels have increased due to man and that could be the main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide (CO2), there are other gases that contribute to climate change such as:

• He methane (CH4). It is expelled from landfills and farmer activities. Methane is naturally produced in the digestive systems of animals that graze. Did you know that cows, rich in methane, CO2 and nitrogen, produce 30% of methane emissions worldwide?
• He Nitrous oxide (N2O), from fertilizers, and other industrial processes.
• He Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). Used in the cooling industry, aerosols or in thermal insulators.
• He Hexafluoruro of sulfur (SF6). It is known to cause the opposite effect to helium in the human voice. It is used as an insulator in electrical systems, steurgy and eye surgery.
• He Ozone (O3)

The consequences produced by climate change are numerous. In 2001 the IPCC (third evaluation report of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climate Change) presented through observations of physical and biological systems that were producing changes in the climate, specifically the temperature increase. This factor affects existing systems in different parts of the earth. In short, what they indicated is that the evidence on the existence of climate change began to accumulate, as well as its derived effects.

In general, a temperature increase of 0.6ºC. This, according to the researchers, has made the oceans, more and more hot, expand, increasing sea level from 10 to 12 centimeters.

The predictions made about the consequences of climate change They are not encouraging, both at an environmental level and at the economic and social level.

• He sea level will continue to increase as a result of the increase in temperatures, which will cause glaciers to be founded. With this, the cities that are on the coasts will be exposed to possible floods.
• Drinking water: Continental water masses, such as rivers and lakes, could be dried because of droughts, decreasing water availability for food production.
• Many Animal and plant species will be extinguished Due to the speed with which the habitats in which they are found, being unable to adapt to them in time. Below you can see a video explaining how climate change affects animals.
• Meteorological phenomena They will occur more regularly, such as storms, hurricanes, floods, droughts or heat waves, which raises the death rate.
• The Health of millions of people would be threatenedaccording to the World Health Organization, since there would be the increase in cases of malnutrition or diseases such as malaria or others linked to water availability.

Even with all the existing evidences of climate change and, despite the serious consequences that there are skeptical people who deny their existence. Scientists warn of the seriousness of the situation. It is urgent to take measures, which, the longer to arrive, the more irreversible the situation of the planet will become.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yxvzysavdc

If you want to read more articles similar to Causes and consequences of climate changewe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.