Earth's Atmosphere: Climate Change - Impacts and Mitigation

Earth’s Atmosphere: Climate Change - Impacts and Mitigation

• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels.
• Global warming is a key aspect of climate change, with the Earth’s average temperature increasing over time due to increasing levels of greenhouse gases.
• The Earth’s atmosphere acts like a giant heat blanket. It traps some of the Sun’s energy and heat which would otherwise disappear into space, this is known as the greenhouse effect, and is natural and necessary.
• Carbondioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect. Human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have increased the level of these gases leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing more heat to be trapped and leading to global warming.
• One of the major impacts of climate change is the rise in sea levels. As global temperatures increase, ice in the polar regions melts, causing sea levels to rise and potentially flooding coastal areas.
• Climate change also impacts biodiversity as species unable to adapt to changing temperatures and conditions may become extinct.
• More frequent and more intense weather events like hurricanes and droughts are also linked to climate change. These can have devastating impacts on human settlements and agricultural practises.
• There are several strategies in place to mitigate climate change. One of the key ways is reducing carbon emissions by opting for renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power instead of fossil fuels.
• Capturing and storing carbon dioxide, a process known as carbon sequestration, can help to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Conservation of forests and other natural habitats can also help to mitigate climate change, as these areas absorb CO2 and store carbon.
• International agreements, like the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Individuals can contribute to mitigating climate change by reducing their carbon footprint - making choices such as using public transport, reducing meat consumption, and recycling more can all help to reduce individual contributions to climate change.
• Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, and nitrous oxide. They trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and help to keep the planet warm.
• Climate models are scientific models that use mathematical equations to represent interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. Models are used to simulate past, present, and future climates and help to predict potential outcomes if certain actions are or aren’t taken.
• Ozone depletion is another issue of Earth’s atmosphere. It is caused by release of chlorine and bromine from man-made objects, which can lead to skin cancer and cataracts in humans, as well as harming animals. It’s not the same as climate change but both have potentially harmful effects on Earth’s environmental systems.