Events and Impacts of Climate Change - Term Paper Example

 Events and Impacts of Climate Change Contents 1) Introduction 2) Effects and Events of Climate change a) Effects of climate change b) Events of climate change i) Storms (1) Dust storms (2) Thunderstorms, telegraphic ii) Hailstorms and snow iii) Rain (1) Heavy rains (2) Rainless iv) Heavy snow v) Strong winds vi) Waves (1) Cold waves (2) Heat waves vii) Hurricanes viii) Drought ix) Flood x) Drifts xi) Mud xii) Soil xiii) Fall of the Snowy blocks and melting of snow xiv) Forest fires xv) Fog xvi) Frost xvii) Volcanoes xviii) Sea level rise Introduction Across nations, effects of climate change are evident. The shifting climate affects ecosystems and society in a wide variety of ways. Extreme weather events have become frequent and vivid, for example, heat waves, and rainfall patterns are changing. Weisse and Storch (2009) describes climate as the aggregate changing mean pattern of atmospheric conditions over a long period characterized by the states and developments if the weather in a given area (p.2). Climate had cooled and warmed over million years ago long before the human race appeared on it. Singh et al. (2007) describes climate change as the statistically substantial variation in the mean condition of climate (p.145). Climate change has also been described by Maunder (1992, p. 34) as a change in climate ascribed directly or indirectly to human activity that changes the global atmospheric composition observed over a period. Ocean variability, solar radiation variations, plate tectonics, volcanic explosions, human activities and orbital variations cause climate change. Oceans are vital and critical elements of the climate system (Christopherson, 1992, p.223). Short-term changes in oceanic oscillations cause climate variations. Modification to ocean processes plays a significant role in spreading heat through slow and deep water movement. Differences in earth’s orbit positions cause seasonal changes in sunlight distribution (Christopherson, 1992, p.222). There are three types of orbital variations i.e. earth’s eccentricity variation, variation of the tilt angle of earth’s axis of rotation and the earth’s axis precession. Climate change causes variations in sun radiation. It has triggered little ice age, and temperature increase observed in 1900’s to 1950’s. Volcanism is a significant factor that triggers climate change. Wignall (2001) asserts that volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide causing immense effects on the climate (p. 21). Forest et al. (1999) assert that plate tectonics affects local and global patterns of climate and atmosphere-ocean circulation (p. 23). Solomon et al. (2009, p. 1705) asserts that human activities leading to increased carbon dioxide emission are the key factors contributing to climate change. Effects and Events of Climate change Effects and Events of Climate change Effects of Climate change Climate change still remains to be a global hazard since the green house gases continue to increase across the world (McCathy, 2001, p. 124). Climate change has adverse effects on the environment, ecological systems and the social systems (Cline, 2007, p. 145). Climate change increases or decreases rainfall, affect agricultural production, affect ecosystems and change forests, impact human health and also affect energy supply (Doering, 2002, p. 128). It also causes an increase or decrease in the level of ocean water level. All these effects affect the social life of people. Over the last decade from 1992- 2001, United Nations Environmental Program has established climate change causes most of the natural calamities. These disasters have claimed 622, 000 lives, affected more than 2 billion people and caused losses of approximately 500 billion US dollars (United Nations Environmental Program, 2005). Over the past few years, many countries face adverse climate change effects. Tsunami is one of the recent activities that claimed more than 200, 000 lives and left thousands homeless (Metz et al., 2007, pp. 56) Climate change is on the rise in the recent years, and its effects have increased by five times from 1900’s (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2002). Since climate change affects all countries, they need to come up with preventive measures on how to decrease the adverse effects of change of climate and policies on how to adapt to climate change. Economic impacts of change in climate have been on the increase over the years (Hardy, 2003, p.15) Climate change disasters affects the least developed and developing countries with weak and declining economies. The droughts that have rocked some parts of Africa and Asia have vastly led to a reduction in the Gross Domestic Products of the countries (Franks, 2005, p. 134). Most of these countries are dependent on agriculture as their main export (Cline, 2007, p. 34). Region Climate change effects Africa Temperature increase by approximately one and half times the global average Dryer in the Mediterranean and southern Africa, Increased rainfall in East Africa Large uncertainty with respect to precipitation (patterns) and respect to changes in spatial distribution and frequency of tropical cycle (Parry et al., 2007, p. 145). Increased Droughts and lack of water (smith, 2006 , p. 245) Europe Increase in mean temperatures by approximately 1.5 times more than the global average Warming in northern Europe with high temperatures in winter and high temperatures in Summer in Mediterranean Mean precipitation increase in northern Europe and decrease in most of the Mediterranean area (McCarthy, 2001, p. 127). Extremes in precipitation extremely likely to increase in northern Europe. Increase in risk of summer drought in central Europe and Mediterranean. (Parry et al., 2007, p. 146). Changes in wind strength uncertain, although it is more likely that average and extreme wind speeds will increase Duration of snow season and snow depth terribly likely to decrease (Parry et al., 2007, p. 146). Increased precipitations have caused increased frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion from rise in sea level and storms (Hardy, 2003, p. 89). Glaciations are on the increase leading to melting of glaciers and retreat of glaciers in mountainous areas (Cline, 2007, p. 150) Asia Increasing temperatures. of Asia will experience an increase in precipitation, either during summer or winter (Smith et al. 2011, p. 156) Droughts and lack of fresh water Extreme rainfall and winds due to tropical cyclones likely increase in East, Southeast and South Asia (Parry et al., 2007, p. 145). Increase in Coastal flooding Increase in frequency of intense precipitation events in parts of South Asia and the East Asia (McCarthy, 2001, p. 136) America Increased temperatures than the global average Warming largest during winter in northern regions, and largest during summer in the Southwest (Ruth & Ibarraran, 2009, p. 26). Mean precipitation likely increases in Canada and northeast USA, and likely decreases in southwest USA (Parry et al., 2007, p. 147). agricultural activity due to increase in temperatures and precipitation (Hardy, 2003, p. 79). Snow season and snow depth particularly likely decrease in most of North America. Large local variation in precipitation in mountainous areas (Watson et al, 1998, p. 123). Polar regions Increased precipitation in the arctic, with more rains in winter than in summer High mean temperatures in winter and low temperatures in summer (Ruth & Ibarraran, 2009, p. 25). Increased temperatures and precipitation in Antarctic temperatures (McCarthy, 2001, p. 125) Events of Climate change Storms Storm is a violent weather condition characterized by vigorous winds, precipitation, thunder and lightning (Christopherson, 1992, p. 223). Storms have negative effects on the lives of people and property. Storms include ice storm, blizzard, snowstorm, ocean storm, firestorm, dust storms, and windstorm, squall, thunderstorms and hail storms (Joel, 1984, p. 1799). Hail storms are a form of the storm that precipitates large pieces of ice. They always occur mostly during thunderstorms (Oliver, 2005, p. 401). These large pieces of ice cause serious harm to people or on plants when they fall on them. Sand and dust storms are storms that carry with them pieces of dirt and dust. This leads to low visibility and affects the health of individuals. It is common in parts of Africa, Australia, China and United States of America (Weisse & Storch, 2009, p. 27). Thunderstorms are storms that cause lightning and accompanied by rains. They occur in areas with atmospheric stability and high temperatures and humidity. These storms are usually violent and may cause the deaths and loss of property (Weisse and Storch, 2009, pp. 29). Rain Rain refers to the condensed water droplets in the clouds that fall to the earth surface (Lydolph, 1985, P. 333). Climate change has significantly affected rainfall. Because of increase in temperatures, there has been an increase in evaporation of water in the large water body masses which has resulted to high rainfall. The high evaporation rates are observed in parts of Africa, North and South America and Asia (Likens et al, 1987, p. 308). This results to high rainfall and flooding. Low rainfall or no rainfall is present in regions that have experienced a change of climatic seasons. This has led to droughts and drying of water reservoirs due to increased mean temperatures. Some parts of Sub-Sahara Africa and China experience low or no rainfall (Watson et al., 1998, p. 144). Heavy snow Heavy snow is a precipitation from the clouds inform of large ice crystals at a higher intensity and frequency. Heavy snow has negative effects on people and their property. Heavy snow leads to blocking roads and airway runways and hamper transport altogether. Heavy snow is reported in United Kingdom (BBC, 2012), United States of America (Associated Press, 2012) Afghanistan, Japan and Jerusalem. According to Groisman et al. (2004, p. 71), there is a 14 percent increase of heavy precipitation in America for the last 100 years. Strong Winds Strong winds are among the most general means of demolition linked to hurricanes (Weisse and Storch, 2001, p. 43). Their continuous bombardment can knock out buildings, sink boats, uproot tress and whirl dangerous debris. Strong winds are noted in most parts of the world with intense strong winds experienced in United States of America (Weisse and Storch, 2001, p. 45). Heat and Cold Waves Heat waves are a series of ridges of heat present in the midlatitudes where it is hot and humid (Parry et al., 2007, p. 135). Intense heat and cold waves can result to death of biodiversity due to increased temperatures. Heat waves are always rampant during the summer while the cold waves are rampant during winter. In 2003, Western Europe experienced a heat wave that led to the death of 40,000 people (National Academy of Sciences et al, 2010, p. 3). Cold waves results to respiratory disorders which hamper an individual’s breathing (National Academy of Sciences et al, 2010, p. 3). Hurricanes/ Tropical Cyclones Hurricanes refer to storm systems qualified by frequent thunderstorms and a low-pressure centre that create heavy rain and strong winds (Knutson et al, 2004, p. 3482). Hurricanes build up when evaporated water is freed from the oceans while the saturated air raises leading to condensation of water vapor in the moist air (Lander, 199, p. 136 ). Warm sea water is essential for the development of hurricanes. At any atmospheric height, the centre of the hurricane is always warmer than the surrounding (Lander, 199, p. 137). Though hurricanes cannot be wholly attributed to climate change, they affected by climate change. Tropical cyclones produce heavy winds and rainfall and also produce heavy waves and destructive storms such as the tornadoes. These heavy winds and tornadoes cause agitation of the sea and ocean water and lead to ship wrecks (Elsner, 2008, p. 26). On land, such strong winds can damage buildings and cars. In 1972, tropical typhoons hit Bangladesh and resulted to 220, 000 deaths. Later in 1991, Bangladesh experienced another tropical typhoon that led to floods and loss of 142, 000 lives (Khan, 1991, p. 4) Drought Drought refers to a state of shortage or insufficient water. This occurs in a region when it receives little or no rainfall for a long period (Ruth & Ibarraran, 2009, p.156) . Human activities such as deforestation and overgrazing, and soil erosion have triggered drought. Drought has significant agricultural, health, environmental, social and economic effects. Flood Singh et al (2011) describes floods as overflow of water that inundates the earth surface (p. 10). Most of the flooding in rivers occurs when the water overflows the levees and banks (p. 12). There are various different floods i.e river flooding, coastal flooding, estuarine flooding and muddy flooding. River flooding occurs when the water exceeds the river channel. Coastal flooding occurs when severe storms surge or sue to increased sea level. Floods can cause damages to structures and loss of life. It also causes contamination of clean drinking water, water-borne diseases and hampers transport. Mud and Soil Drifts When soils in highly rainy areas become saturated with water, they may slide downwards inform of a semi liquid substance. These mild landslides refer to mud or soil drifts (Smith and Mendelson, 2006, p. 117). They occur in areas that receive extremely high rainfall that results to over saturation of soil making it slide downwards, especially in a slope (Lydolph, 1985, p. 334). These landslides results to loss of lives and burying of property. In 1999, Venezuela experienced a mudslide after raining for a week. This mudslide destroyed towns and led to death of approximately 15, 000 people (encyclopedia Britanica, 2012). Fall of the Snowy blocks and melting of snow This is experienced in the Polar and mountainous regions (Singh et al., 2011, p.124). Because of increase in temperatures, snow melting has been on the increase and snow blocks, also known as avalanches, have been falling (Singh et al., 2011, p. 123). This may result to loss of lives and loss of property. Forest fires Increase in temperatures causes forest fires. Increased temperatures have seriously made the trees shed their leaves and the underground grass to dry (Smith and Mendelson, 2006, p. 98). Once a forest fire starts, the dry grass and leaves and the high temperatures make provide favourable conditions for the development of the fire. United States has been battling with forest fires. Forest fires results to loss of biodiversity and loss of property (smith and Mendelson, 2006, p. 25). Fog and Frost Fog refers to the small water particulates suspended in the air while frost refers to the condensed water droplets on the surface of the earth (Singh et al., 2011, p. 56). Intense fog may impair visibility and hamper transport e.g. Japan, Australia and United States (National Research Council, 2008, p. 4). This is due to changes in climate. Volcanoes Canon-Tapia and Szakacs (2010) describes volcano as rapture or an opening on the surface of the earth which permits gases, volcanic magma and ash to pass to the surface of the earth. Volcanoes are formed as a result of tectonic forces. Most of the gases emitted from volcanoes are carbon and have adverse effects on the environment. The carbon gases triggers global warming through depleting the ozone layer. The carbon dioxide gas emitted can result to acidic rain if mixed with the falling water droplets (World Health Organization, 2010). Sea level rise Currently sea levels have been increasing around the world. Sea level is a significant indicator of climate change. Across the world, most of the seal level increase is attributed to climate change. Rise in sea level is caused by increased precipitation, increased melting of snow and glaciers and submergence of land due to faulting or folding. According to Nicholls et al (2010, p. 1518), from 1950 to 2009, the average increase in sea level is estimated to be 1.7 mm per annum. The main reasons behind this increase are the thermal expansion of water due to increased temperatures and increased water inflow through melting of snow (Nicholls et al. 2010, p. 1519). Church et al (2004, p. 2610) asserts that over the past decade sea level rose by 7 cm. Conclusion Climate change is a global disaster. Increase in atmospheric temperatures and change in rainfall patterns have been witnessed across nations. 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