Environmental Economics - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages Ragweed plants are not native to Europe but were imported into the continent from America in the 19th century (Borenstein).
According to the study co-author Robert Vautard, a scientist at the Climate and Environment Sciences Laboratory in Yvette, ragweed are not yet spread across the continent but they will have covered most parts by 2050 (Borenstein). According to Robert, some parts of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany do not have the deadly allergens. According to Daniel Chapman, a species expert at Center for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh, the increase in temperatures and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will enable ragweed to be more active thus spreading further north. Although he did not participate in the study, Chapman praised the study and stated that the number of allergic sufferers will definitely increase (Borenstein).
By using computer simulations with varying concentrations of carbon dioxide, the researchers estimated that if the amount of emissions from oil, coal, and gas are not reduced as expected, there will be annual pollen increase of 100 to 1100 percent (Borenstein). According to Vaudart, the study, which was simulated for 35 years, shows that the average increase in pollen concentration will be 300 percent. In addition to that, Vaudart added that only one third of the increased ragweed is caused by land use and the manner in which these plants take over new territories. The rest of the ragweed increase is mainly caused by climate change (Borenstein).
According to earlier research and studies, ragweed season for pollen grain dissemination has extended its duration by around three weeks in North America mainly due to climate change (Borenstein). Michael Kolian, a US Environmental Protection Agency scientist stated that the new study matches with previous studies and US National Climate Assessment which established that climate change and the ...Download file to see next pagesRead More