Climate Change - Admission/Application Essay Example

?Running Head: CLIMATE CHANGE Climate Change Climate Change Introduction Among all the different planets of our solar system, only the Earth is livable planet for mankind because of its position as compared to the sun and the natural greenhouse effect of its atmosphere. The earth's atmosphere constitutes approximately 60% of water vapor, 25% of CO2, 8% of ozone and about 7% of other trace gases like methane, etc. (Karl and Trenberth, 2003). These constituents, combined with the clouds, determine the overall natural greenhouse effect. The natural greenhouse effect is amplified because of the altered atmospheric composition due to rapidly increasing population and elevated levels of emissions caused by the human influences (industrialization, transportation increased energy consumption and land use etc) (Mann & Kump, 2009). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), developed countries are consuming higher quantities of fossil fuels as evident from the significant increase in the C02 since 1750 (Blasing, 2011). Though the earth's climate has always been changing due to the natural greenhouse effects, but the sharp increase in the rate of change at regional and global levels due to the human induced greenhouse gas emissions is a source of concern for mankind and necessitates proper ramification at national and international levels. This assertion has been verified by the Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC which clearly attributes the increased global warming since 1750 to human activities (IPCC, 2007). Weather and Climate Weather describes the physical state of the air at any particular time and location and the subsequent changes in them over time encompassing the daily changes in temperature, precipitation, humidity, pressure, and wind conditions, whereas climate encompasses the statistical description of different atmospheric conditions (Schelesinger et al., 2007; Mathieu, 2010). The term "climate change" refers to the changes in the average weather (temperature, wind patterns and precipitation), experienced by a particular region over a certain period of time that can range from months to decades and to thousands of years (Mann & Kump, 2009). However the metrological organizations describes the period spreading beyond three decades as a classical period. Climate is linked to almost all the aspects of our economy and daily life (Mann & Kump, 2009). Resources such as agriculture, energy, forests and fisheries are particularly sensitive to meteorological changes and climate variations. Human health depends on factors like availability of sufficient quantities of food, safe drinking water, proper living conditions, and effective mitigative steps required to control infectious diseases. Since these health determinants are affected by the variations in the climate, the subsequent climatic changes are bound to have wide-ranging impact upon human health (Schelesinger et al., 2007). Greenhouse effect and Global warming The ever-increasing population with large-scale industrial growth is resulting in the increased concentration of the gases like carbon dioxide (C02), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2) and halocarbons (HCs) etc. in the environment (Mann & Kump, 2009). These gases trap the energy in the environment, resulting in enhanced greenhouse effect, and alter world climate. According to the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report (TAR) (2001): "There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities" (IPCC 2001: p. 1). According to the above IPCC report climatic data indicates 0.6 °C increase in the global temperature during the twentieth century, in which the major increase was witnessed after 1975 because of the extensive industrial activities (i.e. human impact). Forecasts based on the advanced mathematical modeling techniques predict the global temperature increase in the range of 1.4°C to 5.8°C by the end of 2100 A.D (IPCC, 2001). These predictions are based on plausible future scenarios depicting social, economical, technological advancement under reasonable assumptions of population growth rates. The forecasts indicate considerable climatic variability's (i.e., changes in the precipitation levels, the atmospheric and oceanic circulation, cloud cover, flooding, drought, increased frequency and intensity storms, tornados, tropical cyclones and hurricanes) apart from other biological Climate Change and their Effects These anthropogenic climate changes are not only an environmental issue rather they are a question of long-term sustainable development, as they are capable of endangering our survival with regards to the fundamental requirements like clean water, enough food and a healthy and safe environment to live in (Schelesinger et al., 2007). Climatic changes alter the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, as is evident from the changes observed at regional levels. The increased frequency of these extreme weather events (flooding, hurricanes and tornados etc.) results in increased risk to human health because of increased number of injuries, infectious diseases, stress-related disorders, social disruption, forced migration and deaths associated with these events. Hence climate can be considered to be one of the basic driving forces behind epidemic spread, as its effects are widespread and pronounced, if the necessary adaptive measures are inadequate, or uneven among the population (Mann & Kump, 2009). The climate change, apart from causing ecological suffering and social disruption, has the capability to cause significant adverse impact on human health through a variety of pathways. These impacts have different intervening processes and health outcomes. The various health outcomes due to the physical, chemical, biological, social and geographical impacts result in the increased morbidity and mortality due to different diseases (USEPA, 2011). Thermal Stresses Human populations can face direct impact due to the regional/local climatic conditions. Higher mortality rates have been observed during the heat-wave periods. In countries with more prevalent cold climate, winter seasonal death rates are observed to be higher than summer mortality because in winter thermal stresses occur over a wider temperature range as compared to summer (Schelesinger et al., 2007). Severity of the heat wave is generally defined as state when the daily ambient temperature continuously exceeds the normal body temperature of 37°C (98.6 °F) (Mann & Kump, 2009). It is also referred to as a state in which body temperature rises to such a level that it becomes noxious agent and damages body tissues of multiple organs causing clinical and pathological syndrome. The observed effects of heat stress i.e. continuous exposure to elevated temperatures appear in form of dizziness, weakness and fatigue and the severity of illness depends upon the exposure duration, prevalent temperatures in the region and degree of hyperthermia. However acute heat strokes with body temperatures 41 °C (106 °F ) can result in unconsciousness and even death. Excess cases of mortality have been reported in densely populated areas due the "heat island effect", apart form the regions with improper ventilation and/or lack of air conditioning facility. Reduced winter mortality has been observed in these regions but the excess summer mortality being much higher (Schelesinger et al., 2007). Increased temperatures will result in the increased incidence of photochemical smog in the urban areas, along with increased frequency of food poisoning. The consequences of disturbances like changes in population distribution structure, rising sea levels and economic effects on human health, will not be visible for number of decades unlike those observed in the natural and man made food-producing zones which can become evident immediately (Schelesinger et al., 2007). Ando et al., (1998) investigated the effects of the heat wave of July 1998 in Nanjing China, when the mean and maximum daily temperatures exceeded 30°C and 36°C respectively for continuous 17 days. During the same period marked increase in the heatstroke cases along with the mortality rates was observed. Decreased Stratospheric Ozone Ozone depletion adversely impacts human health in concurrence with other ecological and demographic changes at spatial and temporal scales. The decrease in stratospheric ozone due to increased concentrations of some greenhouse gases and cloud formation at higher altitudes is causing more incidences of harmful solar ultra­violet (UV) radiations having adverse impact on human health. Human life style i.e. longer summer recreational seasons because of global warming also contribute towards increased population exposure to harmful ultra-violet radiations. The impacts are evident in some of the following forms: (WHO Climate change & Human Health-Risks and Responses, 2003). Skin: Sunburn, malignant melanoma, non-melanocytic skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma etc. (UV induced immunosuppression is a major risk factor for skin carcinomas (Martens, 1998). Eyes: Stratospheric ozone depletion has severe impact on the eye e.g. cataract, acute solar retinopathy, macular degeneration, cancer of cornea and conjuntiva, acute photoconjuntivitis and uveal melanoma etc. Immunity and infection: UV radiations have shown to suppress immune systems in animal models (Martens, 1998). Higher exposure to infection, inhibition of cell mediated immunity and activation of suppressed virus infection etc. are some of the results of stratospheric ozone depletion. Indirect effects: It includes effects on vectors of infectious diseases and air pollution etc. General effects: Disturbed mood and sleep cycles can be observed; lower risk of schizophrenia, breast and prostate cancers; The potential benefits may include probable prevention of Type-l diabetes and possibility of some benefits for patients suffering from ischemic heart diseases and tuberculosis. Conclusion On the basis of natural climate variations as well as the changes in the solar radiations, the scientific community agrees that the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are responsible for 0.6°C rise in the temperature of the earth during the last century (WHO, 2003). The earth's average surface temperature is at the highest level when compared with the last 100,000 years. The observed climate changes in atmospheric composition, primarily because of the increased energy consumption and urbanization, are exceeding all natural variations boundaries. In-depth understanding of the changes in the climate and improved forecasting by the precise modeling tools indicate a sharp increase in the frequency and intensity of heat-waves, cyclones, floods, and El Nino cycles. Our failure to curtail greenhouse gas emissions rapidly will not only result in the continuously changing climate and rising oceans levels, but would further amplify the risks to human health and endanger their survival. The irreversible negative impacts on the ecological environment are evident from the receding glaciers, coral reefs, forests along with the ecosystems in polar and alpine regions. Some of the threatened and more sensitive species can face extinction. There is a need for considerable improvement in the knowledge regarding the relationship between the climate and health. As the health impacts of climate change vary amongst different regions of the world, there is a requirement of precise regional health indicator based on the reliable monitoring. The impacts of the climate change on health require monitoring on the basis of well­ documented, precise, and reliable data. The quantification of the adverse health impacts due to the climate changes is critical for a well planned adaptation strategy for the warmer world in the next century. References Karl, T.R. and Trenberth, KE., (2003), Modem Global Climate Change, Science, 302, n- 5651: pp 1719-1723. Blasing, T.J., (2011). Recent Greenhouse Gas Concentrations. Information Retrieved from http://cdiac.ornl.gov/pns/current_ghg.html IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change (2007) Retrieved from http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/syr/en/contents.html IPCC (2001). Climate Change 2001, TAR (Vol-I). Retrieved from http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/vol4/english/008.htm USEPA (2011). Climate Change - Health and Environmental Effects. Information Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/health.html Ando, M., (1998), Risk Assessment of Global Warming on Human Health, Global Environmental Research, 2: pp 69-78. Martens, W.J.M., (1998), Health Impacts of climate change and Ozone Depletion: An Ecoepidemiologic Modeling Approach, Environmental Health Perspectives, 106 (Suppl­1): pp 241-251 World Health Organization (WHO), (2003), Climate change and Human Health - Risks and Responses, Summary (WHO/SDE/OEHl04.02) Mathieu, R. (2010). Anthropogenic Climate Change. Encyclopedia of Geography. SAGE Publications. Mann, M. , & Kump, L , (2009). Dire predictions: Understanding global warming. New York: DK Publishing. Schelesinger M. E. et al. Human-Induced Climate Change: An Interdisciplinary Assessment . Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Davoudi S. et al. Planning for Climate Change: Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation for Spatial Planners, Earthscan, 2009. Read More