Climate Change

Video Contest: Background Reading

Over the past century, the earths average temperature has risen by 1.4F, causing climate changes that affect our health, environment, and economy.1 And although 1.4F may not seem like a substantial increase, it causes shifts in the earths long-term climate patterns. Climate is how the atmosphere behaves over an extended period of time and is made up of daily weather patterns (sunshine, rain, temperature, wind). Currently, our planet is experiencing more flooding, stronger heat waves, more frequent droughts, and more intense hurricanes as well as glacier melting and sea level rising, than it has in the past. Because climate change is linked to many human activities, population growth will likely only exacerbate these problems. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gases are heat-trapping gases that absorb energy and prevent heat from escaping into space. As we allow more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, more heat is trapped close to the earth and our planet warms. Two of the most prevalent greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), which are commonly created through everyday human activities. Sources of Greenhouse Gases: Industrial and agricultural practices are the largest sources of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. The burning of fossil fuels for power plants and motorized vehicles releases high levels of carbon into the atmosphere. Deforestation is also a contributing factor, with 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide, coming directly from cutting down or burning trees.2 Livestock are the single largest source of methane from human-related activities, producing the gas as part of their digestive process. Many of these industrial and agricultural practices are fueled by human consumption, which will continue to increase as population grows. Developed vs. Developing Countries Economically poor countries remain well behind wealthy countries in terms of emissions per person. The United States contains only 5 percent of the worlds population but contributes over 20 percent of the worlds carbon emissions.3 Yet despite this disparity, developing countries are more vulnerable to some of the impacts of climate change, such as stronger natural disasters and rising sea levels, due to a lack of infrastructure and government safety nets. The fact that developed countries do not suffer the consequences as directly as developing countries reduces their incentive to develop policies to mitigate climate change. Environmental and Ecosystem Destruction Disappearing Habitats: Warmer temperatures are having a dramatic effect on the Arctic region where species such as the polar bear depend on sea ice to survive. Glacier melting decreases space for these animals to live and hunt and may contribute to the extinction of sea ice dependent species. Also, many

2013 Population Connection

bird and insect species are being forced to change their migration patterns due to milder winters and habitat changes. Fluctuations in the timing of migration and mating events can reduce these species chances of survival. Coral Bleaching: Rising ocean temperatures can cause coral to expel the algae living in its tissues, which turns the coral completely white. This puts the coral under massive stress and can cause it to die. Coral reefs, a source of much of the oceans biodiversity, are one of the primary underwater ecosystems, and their destruction causes habitat loss for fish and many other ocean species. Forests: Forests are an important ecosystem on our planet; aside from being home to many species, forests also provide several benefits and services to society, including carbon storage, water catchment, and a variety of forest products. Changes in temperature and rainfall will likely increase the risk of extreme drought in some areas and extreme precipitation and flooding in others. Moreover, changing climate could increase threats such as insect outbreaks, the spread of invasive species, and forest fires. Impact on Humans Health and Diseases: Climate change increases the number of extreme weather events, including heat waves, leading to a growing number of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Heat waves can cause heat stroke and dehydration, often having the greatest impact on the elderly, children and poor communities. Climate change may also increase the impact of infectious diseases, such as food poisoning from salmonella, as bacteria grows more rapidly in warmer environments. Flooding due to climate change can cause run off from sewage plants, contaminating our water supply with bacteria. Additionally, rising temperatures may increase the range of mosquito-borne illnesses and other tropical diseases. Agriculture: Climate change affects precipitation patterns, creating more periods of drought as well as higher incidents of floods and severe storms. These create challenges for farmers by affecting crop yields and hindering the food supply in the United States and around the world. Warmer temperatures may cause livestock to suffer from heat stress, reducing their productivity or causing death. Warmer temperatures may also cause an increase in disease-causing insects and parasites that affect cattle. Human Settlements: Coastal communities will be greatly affected by climate change because they are vulnerable to sea level rise and stronger, more frequent storms. These communities and their surrounding ecosystems face challenges such as shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, and water pollution. In some instances, island communities may be abandoned as sea level rise consumes the land.

Sources
General: Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Change Home. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/. 1 Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Change: Basic Information. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/. 2 Environmental Protection Agency, Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/global.html. 3 The Nature Conservancy, Facts About Climate Change. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/facts-about-climatechange.xml.