Climate change in Argentina

Why climate change? The main cause is associated with increase in concentration of called Greenhouse gases (GHG) above its natural levels. There is a way to measure the ability that different gases have to retain heat in the atmosphere, since not everyone absorbs the same radiation or persists during the same time.

This measure is called as a global heating potential (PCG) and the gas used as a reference, to obtain the measure of other gases, it is carbon dioxide (CO2). The greater the PCG of a gas, the greater heat it will retain.

Here we present a list of greenhouse gases that most influence global warming and, therefore, climate change:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Methane (CH4).
• Nitrous oxide (N2O).
• Perfluorocarbons (PFC).
• Hydrofluorocarbones (HFC).
• Sulfur hexafluoruro (SF6).

And now you can ask yourself, what types of anthropic activities produce an increase in the concentration of these gases in Argentina? Thanks to greenhouse gases inventories that measure the percentage of gases emitted and absorbed in the atmosphere for a certain time and territory, today we can know what are the activities in that country that contribute mostly to the greenhouse effect. Are the following:

Energy generation with fossil fuel burning (53%)

This sector takes the highest percentage of emissions and corresponds to those that are released both in combustion and escape of fossil fuels. For example: transport, solid fuel manufacturing, natural gas and oil vent, electricity production, construction and manufacturing industry, energy used in homes and shops, among others.

We tell you more about the environmental impact of fossil fuels in the following Ecology Verde.

Agriculture, livestock, forestry and other land uses (37%)

This sector takes into account the emissions and absorptions of the different land uses. In turn, it includes cattle emissions and their manure and emissions product of the fertilizer application. We cannot fail to mention the emissions for the thousands of hectares that have been deforested and converted to install this type of productive activities.

Industrial processes and products of products (6%)

Here are the GHG emissions generated by the reaction of the raw materials used in various chemical processes. As an example we have the chemical industry (ammonia production, carbide, nitric acid), the mineral industry (lime production, cement) and the metal industry (aluminum, iron and steel).

Within the use of products we have the emissions product of the “use of substitutes for substances that exhaust the ozone layer”, of acronyms (SAO) and the “use of non -energy products of fuels and solvent.”

Urban waste generation (4%)

In this part, not only are the emissions produced by the disposal, treatment and management of solid waste, but also Wastewater is included domestic and industrial. Discover what wastewater is and how they are classified here.

Now that we know what are the causes of Argentine climate change, let’s discover how climate change affects Argentina.

Among the effects of climate change in Argentina we find the increase in temperatures. Between 1960 and 2010the temperature has increased about 0.5 ° C in the central region of Argentina.

On the other hand, the minimum temperatures increased approximately 1 C and, the maximums, they decreased almost in the same proportion during that time. The region that has suffered the highest temperature rise compared to other parts of the country is the Cordillera region of Patagonia and Cuy

On the other hand, summers tend to be longer and less raw winters. In addition, the occurrence of frost has decreased and the frequency of heat waves has increased.

Future estimates indicate that heating could reach 0.5 ° C and 1 ° C in most Argentina. These values ​​could even be higher at the northwest end of the country. Towards this century, the Pampas and Patagonian region will present a heating of 1.5 ° C, the center-norte and the region of whose 2 ° C and the northwest could exceed 2.5 ° C.

We tell you the environmental impact of temperature increase, below.

As for rainfall, between 1961 and 2016, in the central-east region the annual precipitation increased between 10 and 40% And the greatest increases occurred in the center of the provinces of Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Misiones.

Due to the increase in rainfall, they occurred numerous floods On the banks of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and also Low terrain floodswhich affected numerous provinces at the time. Contrary to the Northwest region, Cuyo and Patagonia rainfall has decreased considerably causing prolonged droughts.

Do not hesitate to consult the types of rainfall that exist in the following post that we recommend.

Within the consequences of climate change in Argentina is the recoil of glaciers as existing in the Andes region. Due to temperature increase, glaciers will continue backing and melting and could even disappear.

We tell you what glaciers and glacier erosion are: definition, types and examples in the following articles of Ecology Verde.

Recent research shows that Argentina could lose thousands of kilometers of beaches if current trends about climate change continue. The effect could be worsened in the southeast region of the country.

In turn, the increase in sea level could Generate salt intrusions in some provinces Like Buenos Aires. These could reach important aquifers that provide fresh water for human consumption.

The combination of decrease in rainfall, increased temperatures and, consequently, greater demand for fresh water in certain regions of the country, the river flow could be reduced. For example, as of the 1980s, Ríos San Juan, Atuel, Negro, Limay, Neuquén and Colorado They show a reduction in their annual flows.

These trends indicate the decrease in water masses stored in the glaciers present in high mountains and generate a potential risk of water deficit In these places.

Another significant effect in Argentina related to climate is associated with the modifications in air circulation Due to the southern displacement of the South Atlantic anticyclone. This generates a greater frequency of winds of the East Direction on the Río de la Plata that, added to the contribution of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the increase in sea level, are responsible for the growth of the Río de la Plata.

It is estimated that the Delta del Río Paraná will be one of the most vulnerable areas against climate change in the area of ​​influence of the Silver estuary.

Climate change can have negative impacts on the composition, structure and function of biodiversity. Within its effects it can generate:

• Habitat loss.
• Changes and losses of intra and interspecific interactions.
• Changes and reduction in distribution ranges.
• Modifications on migratory routes of certain species.

In populations, the effects of climate change vary according to what species it is and their ability to respond to changes. There are general species that could be benefited due to the modifications in climatic conditions and increase their population size and distribution area.

An example of this type is invasive species. On the contrary, there are other species called specialists that will be affected to a greater extent and could even be extinguished, since they have greater sensitivity to the effects of climate change due to their specific requirements.

In Argentina, the effect of reducing habitable spaces could be severe in those endemic species that inhabit high -rise regions. On the other hand, studies show that various protected areas existing in Argentina could reduce their efficiencysince a large number of species could migrate being out of these, where they are currently protected from numerous threats.

It should be noted that there are many more effects due to climate change that threatens Argentina but here we can only show you some. Now that you have learned about many of them we invite you to continue investigating climate change in Argentina.

We tell you more about the loss of biodiversity in Argentina below. In addition, discover What is biodiversity and its importance In this video of Ecology Verde.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijzurgvPRB0

If you want to read more articles similar to Climate change in Argentinawe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.