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Miguel Abeldano

Professor Hellmers

English 1201-521

14 April 2019

The Chance to Change Our Earth

Ever since I knew what climate change was I became fascinated and intrigued by it. From

a small age, I knew that this would become a problem in the future just by what teachers have

told me. In seventh grade, we learned about the depleting ozone layer which caused more

ultraviolet rays from the sun to hit the Earth. We also learned about greenhouse gases and carbon

in the atmosphere. There are more causes than these, but these were the only ones in the

curriculum so that's what the teachers taught. This leads me to believe there’s only so much a

public school can teach you about a certain topic, which is why I took the matter of learning

more about climate change into my own hands. I decided to learn more about this topic because I

want to be an environmental engineer when I am older. Attempting to come up with ways to save

the Earth and its inhabitants has always been a dream of mine since the day I learned what

climate change was. Now I have a chance to change the world and I am going to take it.

Convincing others to see climate change as the way I do is the ultimate goal of this essay.

Climate change is defined as changes in the Earth’s weather patterns that cause

environmental problems (”Climate Change”). Climate change has never been as big of a problem

as it is today. Our world is paying the price for our own actions as humans. We build factories

that produce carbon emissions and pollute our atmosphere. These pollutants trap the heat in our

atmosphere and increase the global climate temperature. The increase in temperature leads to
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many dangerous effects which is why we need to make an attempt to stop this from happening

before the damage is irreversible. There should be a significant reduction of sources that cause

climate change in order to save the melting glaciers, save the animals that depend on the ice from

potential extinction, and prevent natural disasters.

The biggest cause of climate change is the carbon emissions that come from human

activity. NASA is one of the leading organizations in science worldwide and they conclude “The

industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon

dioxide levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years” (”Climate

Change Causes…”). This means our own inventions such as factories and cars are the main

producers of carbon. Although this is not the only cause of carbon in the atmosphere, it is,

however, the main source of it. There are other gases in our atmosphere other than carbon

dioxide such as methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide, some of which also contribute to the

trapping of heat (”Climate Change Causes…”).

Methane comes from agriculture, the decomposition of wastes in landfills, manure from

livestock like cows and pigs, although methane comes most significantly from rice cultivation.

The increase in the population of cows and pigs is due to the need for them. Many people decide

to incorporate these animals in their diet so the need for them is higher. Landfills are also on the

rise as humans are producing more and more trash. The leading producer of methane is rice

cultivation. Rice itself doesn’t produce methane but there are bacteria in the soil that do. The

Independent, a news source in the UK, which has many articles about the environment and

climate change states “...methane, a potent greenhouse gas emitted from flooded rice fields as
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bacteria in the waterlogged soil produce it in large quantities” (Gabbatiss). With all these sources

of methane increasing the trend follows with the amount of methane in the atmosphere.

Water vapor is the most abundant but least damaging gas in our atmosphere in terms of

trapping heat and is ironically caused by climate change due to temperatures rising which cause

water to evaporate more quickly over time (“Climate Change Causes…”). The main source of

water vapor is our own oceans as they evaporate. It is impossible to stop water from evaporating

unless you decrease the temperature, but in order to decrease the temperature you have to reduce

climate change. This forms an endless loop with the only solution being the reduction of

temperature.

Nitrous oxide is “A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices,

especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid

production, and biomass burning” (“Climate Change Causes…”). Nitrous oxide has the ability to

trap more heat than methane over significantly longer periods of time (Gabbatiss). Thus meaning

if there were to ever be more nitrous oxide in the atmosphere, the earth would be a complete

blanket of heat-trapping gases.

All of these gases, except water vapor, contribute to trapping heat and causing climate

change. Climate change has many consequences that hurt our Earth. The main consequence of

climate change are melting glaciers worldwide. Glaciers can be found anywhere in the world that

has the right conditions to inhabit them. Most glaciers are found in the North and South Poles

where the climate is the coldest. Although the poles are the coldest place on our Earth, the

glaciers are still melting due to climate change. The rising temperatures have begun melting the

glaciers and raising the water level of our oceans by doing so. The raising of water level is
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atrocious, not for the Earth, but for humans. Sea levels rising will engulf and submerge giant

cities like New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo (Glick). When the sea levels rise high enough

everyone who is within these cities will be forced to evacuate onto the mainland . Over the last

century, the sea level has risen between four to eight inches (Glick). This will likely accelerate

due to glaciers melting quicker than ever before.

There have been many studies and simulations done to see how much time is left before

the damage is irreversible. A recent study that was conducted by Henning Åkesson, Kerim

Nisancioglu, Rianne Giesen, and Mathieu Morlighem suggests that a negative 0.2 or more meter

water equivalent (mw.e.) will completely melt the ice in less than a century (Åkesson). Meter

water equivalence is used to measure the amount of ice lost which is equivalent to water, so if

the glacier that was studied lost 0.2 mw.e, the whole glacier would melt off because that's how

much mass or ice it was made of. However, if the glacier was to increase by 0.5 mw.e, the

glacier would double in size according to the simulation that was conducted (Åkesson). If the

glacier is almost gone, there is still a chance to save it by increasing the mw.e by at least 0.1

mw.e or more, which will allow it to regrow although this is unlikely (Åkesson). Thus meaning

that glaciers could regrow if the conditions are right. In order for this all to happen climate

change has to come to an end or at least diminish just enough so that the glaciers can regrow

again. If climate change continues, the ice would continue to melt and lower the chance of the

glacier’s ability to regrow.

Glaciers are important to many humans who depend on them, for example, the glaciers in

the Himalayas and Hindu Kush region are an important source for the people who live near it.

Daisy Dunne made an interview with Jonathan Bamber, a professor of glaciology at the
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University of Bristol, who states “I think another reason that the glaciers in that area are

particularly important is because they are a major water source for the people living downstream

of them” (Dunne). The glaciers in the Himalaya Hindu Kush area provide water for the millions

of people who live near it and if climate change melts them, the source of water for those people

is gone. A report found that one-third of the ice would melt in that area at 1.5 °C if the Earth

continues to warm at its current rate (Dunne). This drastic melting of ice is detrimental to the

villages who live below it. A documentary written by Amitav Ghosh about a Bondo, Swiss

Village, shows that climate change melted a glacier near that village which caused a mudflow

and engulfed the village, killing eight people (Ghosh). Melting glaciers have a huge toll on

people who live near it and depend on it for their survival.

Humans aren’t the only ones being affected by climate change; animals are too. Polar

bears are one of the many animals that will go extinct if the glaciers completely melt off. In an

article posted in The New York Times by John Broder and Andrew Revkin, they state “The

scientists concluded that, while the bears were not likely to be driven to extinction, they would

be largely relegated to the Arctic archipelago of Canada and spots off the northern Greenland

coast, where summer sea ice tends to persist even in warm summers like this one, shrinking that

could be enough to reduce the bear population by two-thirds” (Broder). The fact that innocent

animals like these polar bears could die mainly because of human activity is extremely

agonizing. We are endangering these animals by ridding them of their own habitat. Scientists

predict that by the year 2050, two thirds of the bear population would disappear even if a large

amount of the ice was not melted (Broder).

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The population of polar bears is declining due to changes in the ice season. In an article

written by Michelle Ma that was adopted by NASA states “A new study by University of

Washington researchers, funded by NASA...found a trend toward earlier sea ice melt in the

spring and later ice growth in the fall across all 19 polar bear subpopulations, which can

negatively impact the feeding and breeding capabilities of the bears” (Ma). The same study

found that spring melting was three to nine days earlier every decade and fall freeze up being

three to nine days later per decade (Ma). Animals like these polar bears who are dependent on

the ice to hunt and feed are most probably going to die in the next century. This could lead to

major changes in the food chain and major population growth of the species who are hunted

upon by these animals like seals. Seals could become an apex predator once all the polar bears

die off which seems like a good thing but this change will throw off the entire ecosystem

especially since nature tends to prefer slow change instead of rapid change.

Polar bears are one of the many land animals being affected by climate change, marine

animals are being affected too. In an article published by the National Environmental Education

Foundation (NEEF), that was written by Nick Bradford concludes “Ocean species are migrating

in response to changing climate 10 times faster than land species” (Bradford). The same article

suggests that some marine species have migrated almost six hundred miles from where they used

to be mainly found a few years ago (Bradford). This can also be detrimental to the marine

ecosystem. If some marine species are migrating to different parts of the world this would mean

that they are forced to eat different foods that they are not used to. Introducing new predators to

an ecosystem or food chain is extremely undesirable. This could cause a mass shift of

populations which would hurt the ecosystem and potentially make it unfunctional. Whales’
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migratory and reproductive cycles are being disrupted thanks to climate change causing the

waters to become warmer (Bradford). Lower reproductive success is a major loss these animals

are experiencing due to human actions which is why we need to attempt to save these animals.

Although water vapor doesn’t trap heat in the atmosphere, as stated before, it does

however, contribute to change in weather patterns. The more precipitation in the air the stronger

certain storms and hurricanes become. In an article written by Jennifer Francis, who is a Ph.D.

senior scientist at Woods Hole Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts concludes “The

connections between climate change and extreme weather are a topic of intense scientific interest

and of profound societal impact” (Francis). The same article also says that climate change has

caused stronger heat waves, heavier precipitation, and even severe droughts due to the changing

of weather patterns (Francis). These effects directly impact humans. More droughts leave less

water in which the entire human population is dependent on to survive. Heat waves could

potentially set the right conditions for a wildfire to commence and strengthen. Heavy and

frequent precipitation will lead to more flooding in areas that are not commonly flooded.

These extreme weather conditions could put at risk many innocent human lives.

According to NASA’s website on the effects of climate change it says “The intensity, frequency

and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the strongest hurricanes,

have all increased since the early 1980’s” (“Global Climate Change…”). These hurricanes will

have the potential to sweep away a numerous amount of homes in the coastal cities of the world.

Hurricanes as strong as Hurricane Katrina that killed many people and destroyed hundreds of

homes have the chance of becoming more frequent. Hurricanes with that high of a category
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could wipe out an entire island and there is nothing humans can do to prevent these disasters to

keep occurring.

Droughts and heat waves lead to rising temperatures in the warmer days of summer.

“Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves everywhere are projected to become more intense,

and cold waves less intense everywhere” (“Global Climate Change…”). Summer temperatures

are estimated to continue on the rise, and a reduction of soil moisture, which will worsen heat

waves is predicted for western and central United States (“Global Climate Change…”). Longer

periods without rain could lead to many cities to go without water for longer. Many of the water

reservoirs or lakes would go completely empty, leaving the wildlife of the ecosystem to die.

Many freshwater fish and marine species would be forced to adapt to the new conditions as their

homes would be gone.

Many people, especially political leaders, believe that climate change is a hoax and that

there is not enough evidence to prove its existence. The evidence is there and the science is

behind it. There are many other problems in the world like world hunger and poverty, all of

which are extremely important, but climate change also needs attention especially from major

countries like the United States and China who are also one of the top producers of carbon

according to an article posted by the Union of Concerned Scientists (“Each Country’s…”). These

countries are ultimately the ones who will destroy the Earth and also take no action against it. It

is unfair for smaller countries to be taking action and the major countries to not even consider the

ideas. In a lecture from Gresham College by Dame Slingo she states “Climate change is a

defining challenge for the twenty first century” (College). This problem caused by climate
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change is something that affects the entire human population not just a select group or

individuals.

Fig. 1. This pie chart illustrates how each country contributes to the amount global carbon

dioxide emissions from fuel combustion in 2015 (“Each Countries…”).

Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. These gases act as a blanket

around the Earth making it warmer as the years go on. Greenhouse gases are mostly produced

through human interactions. The factories we build, the cars we use, including the food we eat

contributes to climate change. These sources increase the temperature on Earth and lead to

melting glaciers, sea levels rising and void the people who depend on the nearby glaciers as their

main water source. Climate change has even caused mudslides that wipe out villages who live

downhill from the glaciers (Ghosh). Apart from impacting glaciers all around the world climate

change impacts the wildlife too. The polar bear population is on the decline. They have less time

to hunt as the ice season gets shorter every decade. Polar bears depend on the ice as their

platform of life so when that is taken away from them they have nowhere else to live which leads

to a decline in their entire population . Climate change is also affecting marine species marine
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species by changing their migratory patterns. Some species’ reproductive cycles are also

changing which will lead to less reproductive success in the future. Hurricanes will become

stronger, droughts and heat waves will become more frequent, and heavier precipitation is all due

to climate change. There should be a significant reduction of sources that cause climate change

in order to save the melting glaciers, save animals dependent on ice from potential extinction,

and to prevent natural disasters.

If all the people in the world united together and combatted climate change as a whole

everyone could save the planet from any further damage before it is too late. There are three

actions people can do to help fight against climate change. The first is to change how people

produce and store energy (College). By changing the normal way of producing energy, which

also produces a lot of carbon, into a more environmentally friendly way will contribute

significantly to the reduction of climate change. The second action people can take is to change

how they use that energy (College). If people were to use energy more efficiently there would be

less of a need to produce the energy. The last action people can take is changing their way of life

(College). If people decide to use more environmentally friendly options, such as choosing to

ride a bike to school instead of taking the bus, will contribute to the fight against climate change.

However, if only a small portion of people take all these actions it is likely impossible climate

change will actually come to an end. In order for climate change to come to an end the majority

of the population has to contribute or else the Earth will change for the worse.
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Works Cited

Åkesson, Henning, et al. “Simulating the Evolution of Hardangerjøkulen Ice Cap in Southern

Norway since the Mid-Holocene and Its Sensitivity to Climate Change.” Cryosphere,

vol.11, no. 1, Jan. 2017, pp. 281–302. EBSCOhost, doi:10.5194/tc-11-281-2017.

Accessed on 2 March 2019.

Broder, John M, and Andrew C Revkin . “Warming Is Seen as Wiping Out Most Polar Bears.”

The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Sept. 2007,

www.nytimes.com/2007/09/08/science/earth/08polar.html?mtrref=www.nytimes.com&g

wh=6396061B9EE4F68EDA605FB47E48DE19&gwt=pay.Accessed on 3 March 2019.

“Climate Change Causes: A Blanket around the Earth.” NASA, NASA, 5 Feb. 2019,

climate.nasa.gov/causes/. Accessed on 22 March 2019.

“Climate Change.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climate%20change. Accessed on 22 March 2019.

College, Gresham, director. Climate Change: A Defining Challenge for the 21st Century?

YouTube, 22 June 2018, m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=q1BEQnkdAVE#.

Accessed on 2 March 2019.

Dunne , Daisy, and Jonathan Bamber . “The Carbon Brief Interview: Prof Jonathan Bamber.”

Carbon Brief Clear on Climate , Carbon Brief Clear on Climate , 14 Feb. 2019,

www.carbonbrief.org/the-carbon-brief-interview-prof-jonathan-bamber. Accessed 3 on

March 2019.

“Each Country's Share of CO2 Emissions.” Union of Concerned Scientists, 11 Oct. 2018,

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2.html. Accessed on 23 March 2019.

Francis, Jennifer A. “Clarity and Clouds: Progress in Understanding Arctic Influences on

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EBSCOhost,

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rect=true&db=ccm&AN=134770957&site=eds-live. Accessed on 23 March 2019.

Gabbatiss, Josh. “Rice Farming up to Twice as Bad for Climate Change as Previously Thought,

Study Reveals.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 10 Sept. 2018,

www.independent.co.uk/environment/rice-farming-climate-change-global-warming-india

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