Climate Change

By: Carlos PalaciosGeography 110-70

Climate change is an issue that is occurring worldwide and affecting all creatures big and

small around the world.

What is it?

Climate change is the change in weather patterns which lasts for a long period of time, such as multiple decades to millions of years.

It involves a rise in the average temperatures of the Earth’s surface, which is why it is also termed global warming.

It also consists of changes in the time certain

weather patterns occur and how long those weather patterns last.

Climate change is due mostly in part to human actions in addition to other factors, such as commonly existing gases.

Climate change not only creates changes in weather patterns but also changes the overall composition of Earth’s surface.

In time, climate change will be very detrimental to the planet and all its inhabited species.

Where is it happening?

The issue of climate change is being experienced all over the world.

Most noticeably it is occurring in the Artic, where sea ice and glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. This change has been measured to be decreasing at a rate of 13.3% per decade. As such the planets sea levels have risen 6.7 inches in the last century. This can be seen in most areas of shore around the world where the shore line is decreasing and the sea levels are taking over once exposed land. In the last decade the rate roughly doubled that of the previous century.

In the Northern Hemisphere there is less yearly average snow fall as a result of the rising temperatures and varied weather patterns.

Here, in Southern California we have experienced extreme droughts and such weather patterns as El Nino and La Nina, but worse than previous years. Not to mention the warming ocean waters, which has drawn species closer to our California shore than ever before. In San Diego and Oxnard there recently washed up rare venomous snakes, which were determined to be due to the warmer waters, an effect of climate change.

How does it affect life on Earth? Life on Earth is affected in many ways as a result of

climate change.

For starters, the various changes in weather all around the world directly affects all human life, in addition to other living organisms.

The earth is experiencing many droughts, which affects the necessary water for species to thrive and for humans to produce crops for sustainability. This is something we here in Southern California can directly relate to.

Extreme storms are causing devastating damage to the land and its inhabitants, more frequently as a result of climate change.

Rising ocean temperatures are affecting the natural migration cycle in many species, transforming many species life styles, eliminating others species habitats and presence on this Earth.

The oceans are becoming more acidic which greatly affects the sustainability of some sea life and coral bleaching is occurring, which leads to the death of coral, the habitat of many oceanic species.

Health issues such as asthma, allergies, heat related illness and many others affecting humans all over the world.

There is not a single organism that has not felt the effects of climate change.

Is there a problem with climate change? The problem with climate change is creating a

change before it’s too late.

Unfortunately, there are still people in this world that are not convinced that climate change is an issue. An issue that is greatly affecting the world we live which can and will continue to be detrimental to human kind as well as all other living species on this Earth. This is predictable if we do not take action to help reverse or stop it.

Education of the issue of climate change is a key to help with this problem. If the inhabitants of the world can all be aware of the issue of climate change and that if we continue on the current path of destruction to our planet, this planet will no longer be able to sustain any type of life. There are measures such as recycling, illuminating certain pollutants and research which can be done to help remedy already existing damage, it’s a matter of doing it.

Participating in measures to help conserve our planets for our generation and generations to come.

What are some solutions? There are a few solutions that can be taken in regards to

climate change.

First off, realizing that there is an issue occurring on our planet. Without the realization of a global wide issue, we as a species cannot make strives to improve our future and the future of generations to come.

Next, in relation to the realization of climate change, is education. The education of the actual effects of global warming will help get mankind on the pathway to saving our planet. By being able to learn what exactly is contributing to the destruction of this planet we will be able to avoid these things or limit ourselves. This can be such things as recycling, using alternative products that do not contribute to the destruction of the ozone.

In addition, there are many ways in your home, office and neighborhood which can reduce the level of pollutants released to the atmosphere. Measures that can be taken to prevent any further damage to our earth.

Lastly, donating to climate change research is another important and vital solution. Without the proper research about the current damage to our planet as well ways to remedy past damage and prevent future damage we cannot make save our home on this Earth.

Everyone can take part in conserving the condition of our planet for years to come.

This is a worldwide problem, as such we should all come up with solutions worldwide.

By: Carlos Palacios

The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. - Robert Swan

We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to. - Terri Swearingen

If we destroy creation, creation will destroy us. - Pope Francis

Sources:

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. "Climate Change Causes: A Blanket around the Earth." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. "Climate Change: Basic Information." Basics. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. "What Is Climate Change?" TakePart. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. Kaplan, Sarah. "Rare Venomous Sea Snakes Keep Washing up on California Beaches." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2016. Web. 17 May 2016. "Marine Problems: Climate Change." WWF Conserves Our Planet, Habitats, & Species like the Panda & Tiger. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. Cho, Renee. "El Niño and Global Warming-What's the Connection?" State of the Planet El Nio and Global WarmingWhats the Connection Comments. N.p., 2 Feb. 2016. Web. 17 May 2016.