Climate change

CLIMATE CHANGE

Target group: Students from 4º ESO.

Vocabulary related to the topic: ozone layer, greenhouse effect, CFC gases, pollution, flooding, sea level, global warming, carbondioxide, emissions, fossil fuels, atmosphere, weather, climate, drought, environment, glacier, ice cap, green issues.

Some verbs: recycle, dispose (of), protect, use up, emit, give out, raise awarenesess, destroy.

1- Definition.2- Causes.3- Effects.4- Possible Solutions.

Definition:

Climate change is the term we use to refer to the statisticaldistribution of weather patterns over time . In modern times ,

the main driver is rising carbon dioxide levels from our fossil fuel burning and the main consequence is rising tempeture which in a medium/long term could lead to worrisome consequences for

the earth and its inhabitants.

2. Causes

First of all, it is worth noting that there are natural causes for theclimate change, such as volcanic activity or solar output, however, since the Industral Revolution the effects of greenhouse gases emissions have diminished the importance of solar radiation.

Currently, the main driver of Climate Change is CO2 emissions -among other greenhouse gases- that result from burning fuel.

GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS

Greenhouse gases heat the earthwhen they are given out by ourindustries and means of transports. The atmosphere, whose major function is to protect us from solar radiation, prevents them from beingreleased to outer space, and keeps them inside which leads to an increase in temperature.The main greenhouse gases are CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Fluorinated Gases.

GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS

WHERE DO GREENHOUSE GASES COME FROM?

The largest share of emissions are the result of electricity production (it accounts formore than 30% of emissions).However, transportation and industry also have a huge impact on the amount of emissions to the earth.

3. Effects

Weather Patters

Health

Wildlife

Glaciers

Sea Levels

WEATHER PATTERNS

Hurricanes: Warmer water pumps more enery into tropical storms making themmore devastating. There is evidence that hurricanes and tropical storms havegreatly increased over the last 35 years, both in number and intensity.

Drought and Wildfire: Warmer termperatures lead to greater evaporation, which in consequence leads to draught that increases the likelihood of wildfires.

Intense Rainstorms: Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climatic system and can lead to heavier rainfall in some areas

Health

Heat waves are becoming more and more frequent.

Warmer temperatures may increase smog pollution and, therefore, worsen problemsrelated to allergies and asthma.

Warming temperatures, along with alternating periods of drought and deluges, maycontribute to spread illnesses, such as malaria or dengue fever.

It goes without saying that natural disasters triggered by warmer temperatures putpeople´s lives at risk, mainly in the poores countries.

Wildlife

Changing temperatures push to the extintion of the species unable to adapt to the new ecosystem. This would disrupt the ecosystem balance and trigger a domino effect withterrible consequences.

There is mounting evidence that there is a great number of animal and plant speciesmoving vertically to cooler areas.

Glaciers and Sea Levels

Rising temperatures will speed up the melting of glaciers. As a consequence, floodingsmay increase.

There is mounting evidence that the ice caps are retreating and that this could increasesea-levels and, therefore, lead to the loss of coastal regions.

4. Possible SolutionsOur civilisation is nourished by energy and in order to provide ourselves with energy, weneed to burn it. Added to that, developing countries desire – and deserve- the samecomforts we enjoy and this situation puts more pressure on the ecosystem. Therefore, we must admit that there are no easy solutions to the problem. However, there are many things that can make a difference and improve a situation that is not irreversible.

First of all, it is of utmost importance to raise awareneness of the problem. Spain is nota country particularly concerned about the Environment, and social pressure may forcepolitical decisions towards eco-friendly solutions.

4. Possible SolutionsInvest in renewable energies: We must force our governments to improve and developclean energies given that nowadays are insufficient to cover our needs.

Move closer to work: As it was stated before, the second source of pullution comes from burning fuel destined to transportation.

Consume less meat: There is evidence that proves that meat-eating consumes more energy.

We should have less children-maybe not in Spain- because he world is overpopulated. More people means more energy needed and, therefore, more pollution. Developingcountries should campaing for contraceptive methods and family planning policy.

4. Possible Solutions

International agreements: We need to reach international consensus about ouremissions and reach agreements that should become rules and laws respected by allthe partners. We cannot afford to act unilaterally given the enormity and themagnitude of the problem. We need to respect common rules to ensure fair play.

In this respect, the Kyoto Protocol commits its partners to establish limits to theemissions of greenhouse gases. The protocol, which recognises that developedcoountries are principally responsible for the high level of emissions, intends to curtailemission levels. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012, when the “Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol” was adopted.

It is your turn

1. Define Climate Change.2. What was your opinion about the subject before and now?3. What do you do in order to protect the Environment? Give

examples.4. Find out more information about the Kyoto Protocol.5. Do you think scientist exaggerate the effect of Climate Change?

Resources

http://www.ensaa.eu/http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/http://www.nrdc.org/http://www.scientificamerican.com/http://unfccc.int/