Climate Change and Global Warming - Term Paper Example

Climate Change and Global Warming School: Introduction Scientists from all parts of the world have agreed universally that human activity; particularly those that entail the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere have triggered changes in the climatic patterns of the earth (Dow & Downing, 2006). The gases that have been identified as very harmful to the ecosystem and capable of increasing the speed of climatic change include carbon dioxide, among other greenhouse gases. The aspects of the climate that have been changing at an alarming rate include increases in sea and air temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and the incidence of intense weather events, such as hurricanes and storms (Dow & Downing, 2006). Some of the climate changes have already started to trigger effects that affect the stability of the ecosystem and present serious harm to humans, including the rising sea water levels, which are causing floods and submerging low-lying areas. Other adverse effects that are expected to take place include the extinction of various species; higher incidence of drought and an increase in disease levels (Schellinhuber et al., 2006). This paper will explore the problem of climate change and global warming, by giving evidence about its effects on society and the earth, towards drawing conclusions on the side that needs to be supported. Background and context development for the problem of Global warming and climate change Taking into account that human activities are playing a major role in triggering increased climate change, which is presenting a variety of threats, calls for the change of behavior urgently, as a society and also at the individual level. Many people around the world are already actively engaged in initiating the behavioral and policy changes needed to change the situation. Some of the individuals and the groups that are actively involved in finding and initiating solutions to the problem of global warming and climate change include environmental activists, scientists, political leaders, community groups and ordinary people (Pilkey & Pilkey, 2011). However, it is a shame to see that many people are less concerned about the problem of climate change. Many groups and individuals do not seem to take the initiative of taking action, at a personal level, or to offer support to the policies that can change the situation. Taking into account that climate change has become a publicly debated issue over the past few decades, various studies have explored the role played by the behaviors and attitudes of people on the weight offered to the problem of climate change. From these studies, the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors at the personal level, including reducing the energy consumption of the homes has appeared to be under the pressure of some constraining factors (Bambergs & Schmidt, 2003). The case is the same, from the studies reviewing the support offered to pro-environmental policies, including those on the adoption of higher fuel standards for vehicles. The factors limiting the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors and offering support to green policies fall under different clusters, including worldviews. Under this cluster, there are issues related to the relationship between nature and humans (Bambergs & Schmidt, 2003). A second factor restraining the change to a green society includes the perception of social and personal risks, including the effects of reducing energy consumption among others. The other factors restraining the adoption of green behaviors include negative political philosophies, the personal discomfort associated to taking action, the lack of adequate knowledge, negative social norms, and the lack of initiative to address the problem, among members of society (Bambergs & Schmidt, 2003). Despite the fact that the information provided by the different studies is helpful in building the available knowledge-base, the available literature is still limited on the understanding of behaviors and attitudes of people in relation to climate change (Ajzen, 1991). To fill this gap, the next section of this paper will discuss the impacts of climate change, discussing its impacts on society and the landscape. The section will give information supporting the positive and the negative sides of the problem, which is expected to give inferences about the attitudes and behaviors of humans in favor and against addressing the issue of climate change and global warming (Hudson & Keatley, 2009). Impacts of global warming on landscape and society In many parts of the earth, the changes in precipitation patterns – which are evident from the melting of ice and snow – water systems have been affected in the areas of quality and quantity. For example, glaciers have continued to reduce globally, due to the effects of climate change, and that in turn affects run off levels and the water resources downstream (Harris, 2004). Further effects of climate change include the warming of permafrost and thawing at high-latitude areas and high-lying regions. The changes in the precipitation patterns of polar areas have affected the freezing and the thawing times of rivers and lakes, and that has challenged the maintenance and the construction of ice roads, which are an important infrastructure to northern communities. For example, over the last decade, the ice road networks of Manitoba have reduced usage time from about 60 days to 20 days during some years (Climate Change Connection, 2007). The advantages to come from the changes in climatic conditions include that waterways like the Northwest Passage across Canada will be open for use by sea vessels, after remaining icy during the colder climatic conditions. The series of mild winters in British Columbia has fostered the thriving and the eventual spreading of the pine beetle, which has caused the uncontrollable death of pine trees in the region’s forests (Harris, 2004). Further, the previously frozen parts of the world, including Siberia and the Arctic are likely to benefit from the milder weather conditions, apart from the increase in vegetation cover. Many freshwater, terrestrial, and marine lives have changed their seasonal activities, geographical ranges, migration patterns, species interactions and abundances in response to the changes caused by climate change. Irrespective of the fact that there have only been a few cases of animal extinctions that can be attributed to the changes caused by global warming and climate change, the changes in ecosystems have triggered widespread changes in the distribution patterns of different species. The positive effects of the migration of animals and plants, in many cases towards the north include that the change in climate is leaving more land open for industrial development and human occupation (Ecological Society of America, 2008). Along with the beneficial species that are migrating, pests that have threatened agriculture in some areas are becoming more scarce, which presents advantages to farmers and residents. Based on research studies exploring different areas and crop distribution, climate change has caused more negative than positive changes (Pilkey & Pilkey, 2011). The few positive impacts of the changes triggered by climate change were felt at high latitude areas, despite the fact that it is not very clear whether the balance of impacts has been positive or negative. For example, climate change has affected maize and wheat productivity negatively across many parts of the world. The effects of global warming and climate change on soybean and rice productivity have been smaller in major production areas and across the globe. However, the fact that some parts of the world will benefit from longer growing seasons implies that they will benefit from an increase in the productivity of the agricultural sector (Harris, 2004). Currently, the global burden of ill-health caused by the changes related to global warming and climate change is relatively dismal, when compared to the contribution of other stressors. However, an increase in heat-related mortality, as compared to cold-related mortality has been reported in some parts of the world, due to the increment in global temperatures. Further, the changes in rainfall and temperature patterns have altered the circulation of disease vectors and various water-borne diseases. The lives lost due to the increased prevalence of diseases will be compensated by those saved by changes in climatic conditions (Hudson & Keatley, 2009). This is the case, taking into account that fewer injuries and deaths will result from the adverse effects of cold temperatures. The effects of the climate-related extremes witnessed in the recent past, including droughts, heat waves, cyclones, floods and wildfires give evidence about the vulnerability of different ecosystems and human systems to the variability of climate changes witnessed in the recent past. The impacts of the extreme events triggered by climate change include that water supply and food production are disrupted; ecosystems are altered, settlements and infrastructures are damaged, human well-being is adversely affected and mental health, among other social ills have increased (Metz et al., 2007). These adverse effects have been highly felt at regions and countries where there is fewer preparedness structures put in place to deal with the climate variability witnessed in some sectors. From the review of the negative and the positive impacts of global warming and climate change, it became evident that the changes will present advantages and disadvantages. However, taking into account the eco-balance of the planet is dependent on the delicate balance that has been maintained over the years, climate change is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is crucial to address the problem; taking into account that failing to do so is putting the entire planet at risk. The risks facing the planet include that, highly adverse weather events are increasingly becoming common, which may make the future of the Earth as the home of man and other species unpredictable (Metz et al., 2007). Conclusion Scientists from around the globe have agreed unanimously, on the importance of addressing the problem of global warming. Humans are the major contributors to the problem of global warming. The factors limiting the adoption of global warming prevention models include negative policies, ignorance and the lack of initiative. The impacts of global warming include that precipitation patterns are changing, species distribution is changing and crop distribution is affected both adversely and positively in some areas. However, taking into account that the adverse effects of global warming are worse than the benefits arising from climate change and global warming, it is clear that the problem needs to be addressed in all ways possible. References Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179-211. Bambergs S., & Schmidt, P. (2003). Incentives, Morality, or Habit? Environment and Behavior, 35, 264-285. Climate Change Connection. (2007). Northern Communities: Winter Roads. Retrieved from: http://www.climatechangeconnection.org/Impacts/ Northerncommunities.htm Dow, K., & Downing, T. (2006). The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World’s Greatest Challenge. Berkeley: University of California Press. Ecological Society of America. (2008). Climate Change and Species Distributions. ScienceDaily, 5 August. Retrieved from: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100143.htm Harris, P. (ed.). (2004). Global Warming and East Asia: The Domestic and International Politics of Climate Change. London: Routledge. Hudson, I., & Keatley, M. (eds.). (2009). Phenological Research: Methods for Environmental and Climate Change Analysis. New York: Springer. Metz, B., Davidson, O., Bosch, P., Dave, R., & Meyer, L. (eds.). (2007). Climate Change 2007 - Mitigation of Climate Change: Working Group III Contribution to the Fourth Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pilkey, O., & Pilkey, K. (2011). Global Climate Change: A Primer. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Schellinhuber, H., Cramer, W., Nakicenovic, N., Wigley, T., & Yohe, G. (Eds). (2006). Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Read More