Climate Change
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ScribdTranslationsClimate Change
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ScribdTranslationsCauses and
consequences of
climate change
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face.
faces the planet. Human activity is its main origin and
its effects can be devastating. But do you really know
What is climate change and how does it affect you? We reveal the
causes and consequences of this climate crisis that is already affecting
everyone.
The causes and consequences of climate change are a topic of
collective concern for decades; however, there are myths about
of climate change and not everyone is aware of the magnitude of its impact
about the planet. Have you ever wondered what change really is?
climate? or How does it affect us?
What is climate change?
It is a change in the climate, attributed directly or indirectly to activity
human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere, and that adds to
the regular changes that occur naturally on the planet.
The Earth has natural cycles that occur every so often, among which are the
what climate changes are. For example, about 10,000 years ago, the climate
our planet was colder than it is now and the glaciers covered a large
percentage of the Earth's surface; gradually changes occurred that
they ended that last glacial period.
However, in recent decades all living beings have been participants
of the acceleration of this process, which occurs naturally. In light of the
gravity of this occurrence, the scientific community studied all the possible
causes of climate change.
Their conclusions demonstrated that the sudden variations in the climate are
associated with various industrial processes that require burning of
fossil fuels, massive deforestation, and the use of fertilizers,
among others.
Next, we will provide you with details about the causes and consequences of the change.
climatic.
Causes of climate change
The Earth's atmosphere is composed of different gases that have as
function maintain an appropriate temperature for life. To this phenomenon
natural is called the greenhouse effect.
It is necessary for there to be balance in the emission ofgreenhouse gases
greenhouseto maintain its proper proportion. However, the activities
humans have increased the production of these gases causing the so-called
global warming, the main cause of climate change.
The human being is responsible for climate change and its emissions of
greenhouse gases that warm the planet, as we will see more
Go ahead. The most well-known gas is CO2, responsible for 63% of warming.
global, but there are other causes:
Deforestation: the timber industry, agriculture, mining and the
livestock farming are the main economic activities dedicated to the
tree felling.
Disproportionate increase of greenhouse gases
greenhouse: caused by the use of fertilizers, chemical activity
for wastewater treatment, burning fuels
fossils, transportation, heating, and urban planning.
Accelerated population growth: the increase in the number of
inhabitants influence the production of gases that exacerbate the effect
greenhouse.
The first cause of climate change falls on transportation. The
40% of emissions in Spain come from cars, trucks,
vans, buses... but also of watercraft or
aerial.
Industriessuch as chemistry or the oil industry are two of the main ones
causes of climate change. That's right, but they are not alone: even if not
such as industries like dyes, PVC, chlorine or the
Metallurgy also has a significant impact, as it generates a large
amount of waste, some of which are highly toxic.
Each person living in Europe generates more than one and a half kilos of
garbage per day. 60% of this garbage consists of packaging and bags.
plastic. At this point, the population holds the key to reducing the
waste, and it is possible to do so with small everyday actions.
Consequences of climate change
The consequences are affecting natural processes of vital importance.
In the case of theecosystems, wetlands, for example, are at risk.
of disappearing. Another important point is the increase in the average temperature
and the decrease in precipitation, which is creating a breeding ground
ideal for wildfires. Below, we show you more consequences of
climate change:
Acidification and pollution of water thanks to the concentration of
carbon dioxide in the air.
Devastating weather phenomena such as hurricanes,
cyclones, rains, extreme droughts or floods.
Death, migration and extinction of different species of animals.
In the case of the sea, there are many species that are witnesses of the
destruction of their habitat. The presence of plastics and
otherspollutants in the sea, overfishing and other practices of
destructive fishing contributes to their disappearance.
Alteration of the water cycle.
Increase in sea level and global temperature due to
the thaw
Emergence of diseases such as dengue and malaria.
Depletion of natural resources necessary for human life.
There is a lot of scientific evidence that demonstrates the serious causes and
consequences of climate change on our planet. That's why it's time to
open your eyes to this imminent reality and start fighting to build
a better world.
How to reduce the effects of climate change?
Transforming our consumption habits into more sustainable ones is essential.
to fight against climate change and pollution. And according to the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The FAO estimates that each year the meat sector produces 14.5% of the
greenhouse gas emissions at a global level. This is followed by the
textile industry with a 10%.
Eliminate the use of plastic bottles from your routine. In a year you will be able to
save up to 167 plastic bottles on average. To give you an idea,
idea, every hour 25 million plastic bottles are thrown away.
only in the United States.
Do not use plastic straws, as they take a long time to decompose.
500 years.
For your shopping, use cloth bags. They take up little space and are very
resistant, a fabric bag can replace more than 100 bags of
plastic.
Use heating responsibly and keep the thermostat
as low as possible.
Bet on sustainable food: the Intergovernmental Group
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations
note that food systems have an impact on change
climatic through greenhouse gas emissions
derivatives of the production, distribution, and consumption of food. To
At the same time, these systems have great power to mitigate the
effects. Our choices in terms of food are
determinants to face a climate emergency situation
global.
What can we expect for the future
The models that simulate the Earth's climate have allowed scientists
explore the future trends associated with the increase in concentration of
greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The estimates
carried out for Spain include:
. New increases in maximum and minimum temperatures
. A moderate decrease in precipitation
. A moderate decrease in cloudiness
. Longer and more frequent drought periods
. Longer, more frequent, and more intense heatwaves
Climate change is already a reality that is expressed everywhere
planet through the rise of average temperatures, the increase
of sea level, the melting in the Arctic or the increase in
extreme events.
Climate change takes on specific characteristics in different areas.
from the planet. In Spanish territory it has been observed:
. The elongation of summers, estimated by AEMET at nearly
five weeks since the 1970s of the last century.
. The decrease in average river flows, in some
cases more than 20% in the last decades.
. The expansion of semi-arid climate, with more than 30,000
Km2 of new semi-arid territories in a few decades.
