Humans Activity And Climate Change Environmental Sciences Essay

Climate change has been occurring on the planet for billions of years since its inception. At different times it has been caused by a catastrophic global event or by the dynamic inner workings of the earth. These climate changes have been proven by science over long periods of time. The big question these days is whether human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor to the climate change of the planet

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stated that human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in Earth’s atmosphere in the amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols (small particles), and cloudiness. The largest known contributing human activity comes from the burning fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases and aerosols affect climate by altering incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared (thermal) radiation that are part of Earth’s energy balance. Along with the change in temperatures come heat waves, new wind patterns, worsening drought in some regions, heavier precipitation in others, melting glaciers and Arctic ice and rising global average sea levels.

A collaborated effort by hundreds of climate experts and government representatives from 113 countries, believe that climate change is caused by human activities. “Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperature since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas concentrations.” Climate change is real, rapid and humans are playing a large part in transitioning to a warmer world.

Human Activity and Climate Change

When I turn the television on, and surf the news channels I get a quick snap shot of the latest events that have unfolded. At any given time I’ll be informed of the latest earthquake, tsunami, flood, tornado or drought that’s taken place while I was away. I don’t remember these uncommon events being in the news as often as they have been. Not only that but they have been more violent as well. The increases in these events are sure indicators that a climate change is occurring on the planet as we speak.

Climate change is defined as any long-term significant change in the weather patterns of an area. This has been occurring on the planet for billions of years since its inception. At different times it has been caused by a catastrophic global event or by the dynamic inner workings of the earth. These climate changes have been proven by science over long periods of time. The big question these days is whether human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor to the climate change of the planet. (Desonie, 2012)

Humans have reached a level of knowledge and technology that allows us to detect a change in climate, identify the causes and consequences for that change. For example, I live in Twentynine Palms, CA which is located in the Mojave Desert. Climate changes here show a slow warming of the Mojave and Sonoran Desert regions. This warming is altering rainfall and weather patterns, altering plant cover and productivity, plus affecting ecosystem functions and species distribution. Desert ecosystems are predominantly sensitive to changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Future rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide will affect rates of plant photosynthesis and water loss, and are predicted to increase efficiency and productivity in certain desert plants. Increased plant productivity, particularly the productivity of invasive grasses, will increase the occurrence of wildfires in the desert. Increased severe and persistent droughts are also predicted for these desert ecosystems. (Webb, 2009) So, simply said climate change is already having and will continue to have major implications for plants, wildlife species, and ecosystem processes in this particular region.

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stated that human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in Earth’s atmosphere in the amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols (small particles), and cloudiness. The largest known contributing human activity comes from the burning fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases and aerosols affect climate by altering incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared (thermal) radiation that are part of Earth’s energy balance. (Solomon, 2007) Along with the change in temperatures come heat waves, new wind patterns, worsening drought in some regions, heavier precipitation in others, melting glaciers and Arctic ice and rising global average sea levels. (Hogan, 2007)

A collaborated effort by hundreds of climate experts and government representatives from 113 countries, believe that climate change is caused by human activities. “Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperature since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas concentrations.” (Solomon, 2007) Climate change is real, rapid and humans are playing a large part in transitioning to a warmer world. Studies have shown that humans have been burning fossil fuel at an alarming rate. By burning fossil fuels to produce energy to run vehicles or provide electricity, we emit carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has been scientifically proven to have harmful effects on the earth’s atmosphere. (Roach, 2007)

The causes and effects of humans burning fossil fuels are easy to understand. By burning fossil fuels we emit carbon dioxide; carbon dioxide in turns depletes our ozone layer. The ozone helps block some of the sun’s heat and radiation. Without the ozone layer more sunlight, sun heat, and sun radiation reach the surface of the earth. This immediately means warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures cause climate change. A very simple concept to understand yet the average individual seems to have a nonchalant attitude towards this fact.

Granted natural climate change has been occurring for billions of years, but I believe that humans are greatly influencing the current climate change by our own activities.

The industrial era for the human race began around 1750 and since this point in time we have been affecting the climate in many ways not known until recently. I also believe that humans are not concerned enough with the consequences that will result from our continued pollution of the earth, I am very surprised with the lack of urgency on our part. (Desonie, 2012)

We produce four main greenhouse gases that possibly affect climate change, CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane), N2O (nitrous oxide), and halocarbons. All of these types of gases contribute to the depletion of the atmosphere, but CO2, is the one mainly produced from the burning of fossil fuels. Levels of these gases have increased significantly since the industrial era, and are attributed to human activities. Changing the atmospheric abundance or properties of these gases and particles can lead to a warming or cooling of the climate system. (Solomon, 2007)

Given the time and resources, there is no limit to what the human mind can do. Unfortunately, much of the knowledge and technology that has been used has had a negative impact on the environment. Yes, climate change is a natural occurring phenomenon as well but we have long been burning fossil fuels use before we understood the consequences. All pollution that’s been levied upon the earth was cause by the human animal. So, my answer to the question of whether “human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, is a major contributor to climate change” is, yes, we are.