Climate Change

Impact of Climate Change

One of the salient issues that cannot be omitted when it concerns the environment is climate change. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and other activities can cause greenhouse gas emissions, increasing its level in the sky and contributing to global warming. These greenhouse gases include Carbon dioxide (the first and foremost cause of global warming), fluorinated gases, methane and nitrous oxide.

As one of the most industrialised nations and especially one that is characterised by arid areas, Australia is vulnerable to drastic climatic change. Studies have shown that the heat level increased yearly, which has been noticed from the middle of the 20th century. More so, the frequency and quantity of rainfall fall short of records.

The indigenous people are even more at risk of experiencing the effects of climatic change due to their past colonial history. They suffer from atmospheric issues such as floods, erosion, fire outbreaks, and heatwaves, among others. 

However, one cannot emphasise the impacts of climatic change on the environment enough. The effects cut across the diverse scope of life that is social, economic and health sectors etc.

Several myths are surrounding the causes and impacts of climatic changes. These myths include statements such as

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Is Too Small to Make a Difference

It is a blatant myth. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that constitutes more than 50% of damage to the ozone layer resulting in global warming.

There Is Disagreement on the Cause of Climatic Change

It is not true as all researchers have confirmed that man’s activities are the primary reason behind global warming.

The Change Is Natural

Honestly, these changes occur naturally. However, the pace at which it is rising is unexplainable. Subsequent researchers have found out the triggering factors which involve the practices of man.

According to future predictions, the effects of continual climatic change would be disastrous. Hence, the need to avoid this eventuality by managing our environment has arisen. Various bodies and organisations have been established specifically for this purpose. Two of them are the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on climatic change) and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on climate change).

The UNFCC was established in 1992 to achieve stability in the level of concentration of Greenhouse Gas in the sky and, consequently, stop fluctuations in climatic conditions. The UNFCC codes provide for all participating member countries to establish a framework for managing changes in atmospheric conditions through policies and keeping track of climate events and the impacts they have on society.

On the other hand, the IPCC was created earlier in 1988 by the combined efforts of WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) to look into the subject matter of “Climate change” and the potential dangers associated with it to suggest practical solutions. The IPCC reports their research activities every 6-7 years.

Both organisations are still in existence in the furtherance of their goals. Some of the recommendations given to reduce global warming are

  • Enlightenment programs
  • Use of renewable energy
  • Preventing wastage of water
  • Regulating electric plugins
  • Maintenance of automobiles etc.