Climate Change and Sustainable Development PDF

# Chapter 7: Climate Change and Sustainable Development ## Learning Outcomes At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate competence on the various impacts of climate change 2. Identify and distinguish the causes of climate change; and 3. Understand the effects of c...

# Chapter 7: Climate Change and Sustainable Development ## Learning Outcomes At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate competence on the various impacts of climate change 2. Identify and distinguish the causes of climate change; and 3. Understand the effects of climate change on the society ## Climate Change: Global Warming Global Warming refers to the **increase** of Earth's normal temperature as a result greenhouse gases' accumulation in the atmosphere. Global warming is one of the long-term changes brought by Climate Change that includes **increase** on Earth's average temperature (Global Warming) and precipitation. ## Effects of Global Warming The effects of global warming are categorized by the acronym **RICH**: - **R**ising Sea Level - **I**ncrease in Temperature - **C**hanges in Water Supply - **H**abitat Damage and Species Affected ### Rising Sea Level The increase in Earth's average temperature will result to thermal expansion of seawater and melting of glaciers in certain regions like in Alaska, Antarctica, and Greenland. Thereby adding water to the total amount of liquid in the ocean. The average sea levels have risen for an over of 8 inches since 1880 from the date today. Every year, the sea level rises 0.13 inch. ### Increase in Temperature Increase in Earth's temperature is the result of heat trapping, caused by greenhouse gases. Moreover, changes in the Earth's temperature may result to other phenomena such as: changes in wind patterns' and variation of cloud covers. According to study of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), it revealed that the Earth surface average temperature has increased from an average of 14.0 C (1951-1980) to 14.9 in 2017. ### Changes in Water Supply It is expected that biological cycles will be affected, especially the changes in water supply. As it gets warmer, the amount of evaporation is expected. Thus, the higher amount of precipitation will be experienced. ### Habitat Damage and Species Affected Global warming also contributes to the habitat damage, thereby reducing organism population and loss of diversity. ## How Global Warming Works? The Sun's energy passes through Earth's atmosphere. This energy is trapped inside the Earth's atmosphere and cannot rebound back to the outer space. This is because of the accumulation of greenhouse gases, commonly, Carbon Dioxide, emitted by coal, oil, and natural gases. This greenhouse gas traps heat cause the planet Earth to warm up. ## Greenhouse Gases The diagram shows the global greenhouse gas emitted by human activities: - CFCs (2%) - Nitrous Oxide (6%) - Methane (16%) - Carbon Dioxide (forestry and other land use) 11% - Carbon Dioxide (fossil fuel and industrial processes) 65% ### Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$) This greenhouse gas is produced every time fossil fuels (Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas) and other Carbon-rich materials are being burned. It is the principal contributor to Climate Change because of its common emission. However, it is not the most powerful among the greenhouse gases. ### Nitrous Oxide ($N_2O$) This greenhouse gas is also known as laughing gas, which is commonly emitted from bacteria in soil. This gas is usually used as an oxidizer in rocketry and in motor racing to increase the power of the engines. Additionally, modern agricultural practices greatly contributes to the emission of nitrous oxide, such as the use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers, livestock management, and tilling and soil cultivation. ### Methane ($CH_4$) This greenhouse gas is considered a major greenhouse gas redundant to cause global warming. The molecule of this greenhouse gas is 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide although its production is lower than other greenhouse gases. Methane is emitted from rice paddies, landfills, and swamps and this is mainly caused by decomposition of plant matter. ### Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) These greenhouse gases are not found anywhere in nature because these are group of man-made compounds consisting chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. In 1930s, the production of CFCs began for the purpose of refrigeration utilized as propellants in aerosols, as blowing agents in air condition and foam manufacture. These greenhouse gases are being transported up into the stratosphere for the reason that there are no removal processes of CFCs in the troposphere (lowest part of the atmosphere). Consequently. These greenhouse gases are broken down in the stratosphere by Ultraviolet Radiation (UV Ray) releasing chlorine atoms, which is the major cause of Ozone Depletion. ## What are being delivered now to combat climate change? - Biofuels - Carbon Capture and Storage - Fuel-Efficiency - Produce Electricity Efficiently - Solar and Wind Power - Use Electricity Efficiently - Vehicle Efficiency ## UN Sustainable Development Goals A diagram of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. ## Climate Action The diagram provides a description of the 13th UN Sustainable Development Goal, which is Climate Action.