Effects of Weather Change - Assignment Example

Weather Change Name: Institution: Weather Change Question One In the recent years, weather and climate change was a known factor that could be determined through mere observation and study. However, in the recent past, the changes in weather and climate have shifted drastically causing meteorologists and other scientists to identify other causes of change. Arguably, aspects such as changes in climate have been attributed with globalization and the use of modern technology that have been welcomed in most countries (Crowley, 2000). However, the implications of various activities have not been evaluated closely causing undesired changes in the weather patterns to be experienced across different parts of the world. Among the groups that are engaged in identifying the rampant changes in weather in the contemporary society are the environmentalists. After close evaluation of the causes and scope of effects, they identified that human activity is one of the major factors attributing to the oscillations in earth global or regional climate in different time interval. The weather is changing dramatically because of the natural ocean oscillations that are cyclical patterns within the climate systems. They are caused by changes in the atmospheric pressure within the oceans, the surface sea temperatures and instances of precipitation (Crowley, 2000). Scientists have often studied the correlations between the earth’s climate oscillations and the astronomic issues that are present within the environment linking them to the modes of heat distribution and the atmospheric climate system. In the past decade, the understanding of the stability and variability in ocean circulation has experienced significant improvements owing to the development of modern technology and new data (Liverman, 2007). With the increased global warming in different countries, the ocean tends to dump temperature fluctuations therefore moving vast amounts of heat and energy across the planet. This translates to the formation of waves and heat that result to the formation of the cloud therefore changing the climate and temperature. Currents within the ocean beds also cause significant changes to the onset of weather changes. The ocean atmospheric intersystem is also a contributing factor to the changes in weather and climate. For instance, the EL NINO Southern oscillation (ENSO) has been one of the most dreaded seasons considering the scope of damage and effects that are associated with the condition (Liverman, 2007). In extended time scales, oceanic events such as thermo hyaline revolution are key elements in redistribution of warmth and counteractive systems of the cold seasons. However, the thermo hyaline circulation is a non-linear system. Owing to the past wavering of ocean currents and people’s understanding of the non-linear behaviour presented, the future of the Atlantic circulation in the changing climate of the next century is a natural concern. The contamination of the atmospheric temperature through the concentration of particles that function as nuclei to cause the formation of rainfall has become a common condition. In urban centers, the condition is often amplified causing frequent changes in the weather. Greenhouse emissions and gases are among the major global climate issues that developed and developing countries are seeking to mitigate. The greenhouse effects are a scientific phenomenon that is caused by atmospheric gases (O'Connor, Bord & Fisher, 1999). Such gases are responsible for maintaining the temperature and weather in different countries constant. Popularity of the greenhouse effect in the recent years owes to the increase in human activities that interfere with the bonding and mixture of greenhouse gases. The rate of toxicity that is present in the atmosphere causes frequent changes in the atmospheric pressure that sometimes leads to the formation of clouds and rainfall or the trapping of heat therefore increased temperature. A single season’s temperature is an example of weather changes that are recorded and may be referred to in the near future. The greenhouse effect is caused by contact of the sun's energy with greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases in the Earth's atmosphere (O'Connor, Bord & Fisher, 1999). Recently, people have played a significant role in rendering a change in the weather patterns. Among the issues raised have been the effects that are created by emission of carbon dioxide and other gasses. The increased use of non-biodegradable gasses such as oil and petrol is one of the factors that have caused changes considering the applications in the social, economic and financial sectors (Mirza, 2003). Arguably, countries generate significant amount of income from the exploitation of such natural factors oblivious of the implications they are exposing the nation to in the future. For instance, oil and petrol extraction and excavation is carried out using machinery that consumes such forms of energy. Arguably, the emissions that are drawn from such machines enter into the atmosphere interacting with atmospheric gasses to contribute to global effects. Carbon dioxide is a toxic element that is drawn from burning of fuels that constitutes to the changing of weather patterns. Other common human activities that can be identified as causes to weather and climate change include deforestation and destruction of the ozone layer as well as deprivation of the natural environment. The regard for the environment has dropped drastically owing to the need to increase the net financial gain over preserving the natural environment. The political and administrative sectors have also failed to ascertain the security and protection of natural resources through employing and implementing strategies that will enable countries counter the effects created with degradation of the natural environment. The Amazon forest has been adversely affected by the state and nature of deforestation experienced in the region. People burn coal from forests as a source of fire oblivious of the gasses that are emitted to interfere with the ozone layer causing the greenhouse effect (Mirza, 2003). Such factors are part of the atmospheric and environmental contributors to the formation of various climate states such as rainfall and sunlight. At the wake of climate and weather change, is the effect created by technology and innovation in science. They contribute a significant amount of carbon dioxide and toxic gases to the atmosphere that cause the greenhouse effect. For instance, companies have employed modern machinery that uses electricity and fuel sparingly. However, energy generated into electricity is produced differently across various locations that may attribute to the emergence of carbon dioxide and other gasses (Meehl et al., 2000). Similarly, the innovations made in the transport industry such as airplanes and vehicles that do not use fuel are among the major technological advancements that have clouded the modern society. Airplanes constitute a hefty amount of toxins to the environment owing to the close range of contact with the ozone layer. Arguably, airplanes that travel higher altitudes expose the atmospheric gases to toxic wastes that accounts to changes in weather. Similarly, solar systems that are part of the modern innovations use photovoltaic cells that if disposed undesirable releases harmful wastes that causes the greenhouse effect. Disposal of wastes in the modern dispensation has accounted for a momentous condition of climate change. For instance, some wastes contain harmful chemicals such as medical wastes and plastics that tend to cause pollution (Meehl et al., 2000). In the wake of dealing with waste disposal, various governments have tried to sensitize on recycling and the use of sustainable instruments such as chemicals. However, companies prefer cheaper methods of disposal to offset the value accrued from legal and proper waste management. Similarly, the employment of pesticides in farms and agriculture has generated increased debate over the implications that are generated. Pesticides customized through science and technology affect the ecosystem by interfering with the ability of organisms to change the condition of the soil through biodegradation. The use of pesticides contributes certain percentage of greenhouse effect. Question Two Remote sensing is an important aspect of climate that enables evaluation of the weather patterns across different locations. Meteorologists design their forecasts using remote sensing that enables consistent and concise analysis of the imminent implications of preceding weather patterns. Before the discovery of remote sensing in different countries, meteorologist used manual methods of determining the future weather patterns that were not essentially accurate. However, with the emergence of such a technology, they are able to monitor the climate change patterns and analyze the results based on satellite-derived variables, retrieve essential climate variables that are present in climate quality and employ effective calibration and inter calibration of the satellite radiances. Remote sensing proves effective while identifying the improvement methods for the assimilation of the satellite databased on the reanalysis patterns. Moreover, Satellite derived products have the potential to increase the accuracy of girded climate data sets gained from dense ground based networks. Satellite remote sensing (SRS) has provided major progressions in understanding the climate system and its changes, by quantifying processes and spatial-temporal states of the atmosphere, land and oceans (Yang et al., 2013). SRS has been used frequently to detect the scale of global warming effect that has been on the rise since the late 19th century. To achieve success, the satellites identified various anomalies in the time series of the near surface temperature that was recorded daily by weather stations. However, meteorologists often included biased information on their records therefore rendering false predictions. Satellite information using remote sensing was used to determine the global trends in temperature and relate the to heat transfer between the atmosphere and the ocean surfaces. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer allows meteorologists to measure the sea surface temperatures and connect the data to that of off-sea areas. Global warming that is attributed from weather and climate change has been identified with surface and tropospheric temperatures. This is created by the concentration of greenhouse gasses from the human activities to cause the greenhouse effect. Remote sensing is carried out by sensors that are located in different platforms such as in the plane, boats, submarines and Argo floats. Other countries owing to their developed nature use ground-based instruments such as the sun spectral radiometer to measure the radiation of the sun. The observed scaling ratio, which is the ratio of atmospheric drift to surface trend, is still significantly lower than represented projections therefore rendering the application of the SRS effective. Satellite data records are being extended wide enough to evaluate multi-decadal changes through analysis of the atmospheric temperatures. Remote sensing systems are applied widely in the SRS structure to analyze tropospheric temperatures into three distinct datasets. They include the temperature lower troposphere (TLT), temperature middle troposphere (TMT) and temperature tropical troposphere (TTT) (Yang et al., 2013). Based on the analysis of these variables, it is possible to identify a discrepancy owing to the state of fundamental physics derived from the climatic model. A difference in the warming rate appears because of the input scales of the model simulations that include the anthropogenic gases and solar inputs. The SRS can measure the rate of retreat of snow and ice cover that are significant indicators of global warming. It assists in monitoring the activity of snow extent ice covers. It is measured using the passive microwave sensors. Changes in sea level and the concentration of aerosols as well as the precipitation rate can also be measured using the SRS systems. Question Three In which part of word have severe weather change? The changes in weather seem to have affected different countries owing to the scope of exposure they experience. A major effect that is visible across the globe is that created by globalization and the greenhouse effect across the polar region. The evidence is quite intriguing as the grounding lines along the polar region between the grounded and floating ice has receded since the discovery of global warming (Thompson, 2010). Arguably, ice contributes to the rising sea level different from the expected system. For instance, people fail to understand that polar ice does not need to melt to contribute to the rising of the sea level. It just needs to be separated from the grounded areas of ice. The detaching of frozen ice from grounded ice through a floating mass ensures the sea levels have risen (Hinzman at al., 2005). However, the increased changes in weather and climate particularly the rise in temperature that causes a recession in the level of grounded ice causing more ice to break and raise the sea level. A significant effect is on the body mass of the grounded ice that is depleted in the process creating possibility for future implications. This melting has caused an effect on the wildlife that lives within the Polar Regions. As part of an ecosystem, such areas are home to distinct wildlife such as the polar bears, penguins and seals. Their ability to reproduce and remain within the system is steered by the ice covering as well as the seasonal changes that are present within the region (Thompson, 2010). An increased human activity within the urban areas has generated diverse effects within the polar areas affecting the lifestyle of the animals. It interferes with the reproductive system. For instance, animals such as the polar bear are reproductive during the winter when the grounded ice is at its peak (Hinzman at al., 2005). However, with the destruction of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect warrants increased heat conditions that lower the ability of the animals to reproduce. Low-income countries are among the areas that will experience severe weather changed in form of stronger cyclones, rising sea level, warmer days and nights and unpredictable rains. An evaluation by developing countries show that low-income countries have an affinity of employing the least effective means through economical analysis to handle the issue of climate and weather change. For instance, such countries have continuously exploited their natural resources and invested more in the manufacture and import of synthetic elements such as fiber. Although these developments come as a positive aspect, the implications from contamination of the atmosphere from carbon dioxide emissions and non-biodegradable elements will lead to increased changes in the weather. Life in many developing country countries could become virtually intolerable, given that urban warmth is already well above that of the surrounding areas such as the rural sections. Alaska’s forests are also areas that will be adversely affected by the constant changes in temperature. In the South coast regions of Alaska, the state of cool summers and cold winters ensure that the vegetation and forests are kept under control. However, the recent temperature changes that is up to 3 degrees Celsius destroying the vegetation growth within such areas. Southeast Alaska forests are prone to insect infestation and are imperialized by the gale-force winds. Plants on a huge spatial scale are affected by the concentration of carbon dioxide in different regions. The seesaw effect that ensures decayed plants release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere interferes with the growth of other plant vegetations. This situation was experienced in Hawaii in the recent past and it is expected to prevail if the effect of climate change and weather is not handled. Question Four The Middle East is one of the geographical areas that are affected by the drastic weather changes. Owing to the increased nature of population across the region, the people are exposed to different conditions as well as the activities that take place across the Middle East countries. Change in weather in the Middle East is not towards the positive direction. Such changes imply an increase in the mean temperature of about 1.6 degrees to 1.8 degrees with a reduction on the precipitation rates. Changes in the rainfall patterns imply that the nation will not be able to benefit from activities such as farming (Parmesan & Yohe, 2003). The intensification of manufacturing companies and extraction of oil in most Middle East countries are among the causes of the greenhouse effect and with continued excavation may imply inability to experience desirable and favorable weather for different activities. The environmental effects that Middle East regions experience include the reduction of water access as well as instances of droughts and floods. Areas such as India receive seasonal rainfall that implies shortages (Dash at al., 2005). Moreover, the exploitation of environmental raw materials implies that there would be intense desertification and loss of arable land. Resources within the environment need to be safeguarded considering the future presumption that they would have gained economic value. Therefore, a move to degrade natural resources to resettle the ever-increasing population is a cause of climate change. Effects of climate change in India have also been seen through the shifting of ecosystems that implies a los in indigenous species of animals and plants. The Middle East has also experienced coral reef bleaching and an increase in the jellyfish population that is propelled by various weather patterns. With increased heat and temperatures in the Middle East, there has been an increased rate of migration because of exacerbated humanitarian hardship. Environmental calamities eliminate the possibility of fair existence and living in the Middle East (Dash at al., 2005). The degradation of human life and challenges of people’s mobility is a great challenge being experienced in the Middle East. Similarly, the rising sea level within the gulf will render the water more saline that is not healthy for people’s consumption. References Crowley, T. J. (2000). Causes of climate change over the past 1000 years. Science, 289(5477), 270-277. Dash, S. K., Jenamani, R. K., Kalsi, S. R., & Panda, S. K. (2007). Some evidence of climate change in twentieth-century India. Climatic change, 85(3-4), 299-321. Hinzman, L. D., Bettez, N. D., Bolton, W. R., Chapin, F. S., Dyurgerov, M. B., Fastie, C. L., & Jensen, A. M. (2005). Evidence and implications of recent climate change in northern Alaska and other arctic regions. Climatic Change, 72(3), 251-298. Liverman, D. (2007). From uncertain to unequivocal. Environment: Science and policy for sustainable development, 49(8), 28-32. Meehl, G. A., Zwiers, F., Evans, J., & Knutson, T. (2000). Trends in extreme weather and climate events: issues related to modeling extremes in projections of future climate change. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 81(3), 427. Mirza, M. M. Q. (2003). Climate change and extreme weather events: can developing countries adapt?. Climate policy, 3(3), 233-248. O'Connor, R. E., Bord, R. J., & Fisher, A. (1999). Risk perceptions, general environmental beliefs, and willingness to address climate change. Risk analysis, 19(3), 461-471. Parmesan, C., & Yohe, G. (2003). A globally coherent fingerprint of climate change impacts across natural systems. Nature, 421(6918), 37-42. Thompson, L. G. (2010). Climate change: The evidence and our options. Behavior Analyst, 33(2), 153. Yang, J., Gong, P., Fu, R., Zhang, M., Chen, J., Liang, S., & Dickinson, R. (2013). The role of satellite remote sensing in climate change studies. Nature climate change, 3(10), 875-883. Read More