13 Jun fixes
Running Head: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 1
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 2
Climate Change and Environmental Pollution
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Introduction and Background
Over the last two decades, the earth has experienced considerable changes in the climate system and weather patterns something that continues to result in prolonged weather conditions. Today, some parts of the world experience prolonged rainfall while in others drought dominates. The average earth’s temperature has also increased considerably over the years. All these situations are known are climate change. According to Buseong & Harris (2017), climate change refers to a change in the climate system which results in prolonged new weather patterns that can last even for decades. Environmental pollution and other human activities mainly cause it. The authors added that climate change results in global warming which refers to the significant rise in the earth’s temperature.
Scientists have warned that if nothing is done in curbing climate change and global warming, the earth will continue to experience adverse implications. Besides, despite efforts by governments and national agencies to put in place measures to respond to climate change and global warming, this topic remains among the most debated ones across the globe. Many studies have indicated that human activities and industrialization contribute significantly to environmental pollution and climate change. Therefore, this essay argues that human activities and industrialization has contributed to environmental pollution and climate change dramatically. It will describe the primary causes of climate change, its socio-economic implications, and the possible solutions to climate change.
Thesis statement: Human activities and industrialization are significant contributors to environmental pollution and climate change significantly.
There are two significant causes of climate change and global warming. According to Matawal and Maton (2013), the primary causes of climate change entail the greenhouse effect and human activities. The greenhouse effect refers to a situation where there is an increased level of gasses such as carbon dioxide and fluorocarbons in the atmosphere which traps heat from the sun, thus causing the temperature level of the atmosphere of the earth to increase gradually. Many of these gases are emitted by human activities like the use of fossil fuel and pesticides. The gradual increase in the earth’s temperature tends to result in global warming which is dangerous to both plants and animals. Besides, the human activities that cause climate change can be termed as environmental pollution and include deforestation, destruction of natural habitats, burning of fuels, and urbanization. Deforestation entails the cutting of trees and other plants without replacement which can result in the change of weather patterns since forests tend to act as rain catchment areas. Studies have shown that regions with massive deforestation tend to experience drought even if they did not in the past years. The destruction of natural habitats also results in climate change since the ecological system and cycle is interfered with which can lead to changes in climate patterns. The burning of fuels leads to the excessive accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere which traps the sun’s heat increasing the earth’s temperatures. Finally, urbanization leads to the encroachment of forest areas which leads to deforestation, thus climate change. A study in South Korea in 2017 about climate change and global warming indicated that greenhouse gasses and human activities comprise the significant contributors to environmental pollution that leads to climate change. Poisonous gases are emitted from vehicles, industries, and fuels which pollutes the environment (Buseong & Harris, 2017). If the greenhouse effect and human activities will not be reduced, climate change and global warming would result in dire consequences on the planet.
Moreover, climate change and global warming can result in significant socio-economic impacts on people and the planet as a whole. Some of the socio-economic consequences of this phenomenon include water shortages, drought, flooding, heat waves, and death due to natural calamities. Climate change can result in prolonged drought and rainfall which can lead to water shortages and flooding respectively. It can also lead to prolonged heat waves which entail a long period of excessively hot temperatures and high humidity which can, in turn, result in the destruction of crops and making life unbearable. Additionally, climate change can result in death and outbreak of various health infections. For example, prolonged drought and flooding can cause many people to die of hunger. The northern side of Kenya in Africa is an excellent example of an area hit by famine due to prolonged drought caused by climate change. Some of the health infections that can arise because of climate change and global warming include waterborne and airborne diseases (Matawal & Maton, 2013). Nevertheless, despite the critical negative implications of climate change, human activities continue to contribute to environmental pollution and destruction significantly.
Moreover, regardless of the established preventive measures, human activity continues to destroy entire ecosystems, soil structure, and animal habitats. Human activities including deforestation, burning of fuels, and urbanization have led to environmental pollution that has, in turn, resulted in climate change and global warming. Many studies have argued that human activities contribute over 80% of environmental pollution which leads to climate change. The burning of fuels and emission of other poisonous gasses into the atmosphere has resulted in greenhouse effect which has, in turn, raised the earth’s average temperature. According to Liquete et al. (2016), issues such as industrial waste pollution have led to an increase of acidity and sedimentation in soil and water bodies. All these are human activities that have contributed to climate change and global warming.
Apart from human activities, rapid industrialization has also contributed to environmental degradation and pollution. The industrial growth has increased the use of fossil fuels that has increased greenhouse emissions that pollutes the environment, therefore, leading to climate change and global warming (Lloret et al., 2009). A study in South Korea in 2017 showed that the nation has about 53 operational coal-powered plants which emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus polluting the air (Jung, 2017). A similar situation is happening in other nations which continue to cause massive destruction on the climate system.
Nevertheless, if the earth wishes to reduce or avoid the consequences of climate change, implementing effective solutions is the only way to go. Some of the answers to climate change include; implementation of Biodiversity policies, using sustainable and renewable energy sources, integrating the capture and sequestration/storage (CCS) extracts carbon emissions, and implementing carbon neutral plans by planting urban forests and bio-infiltration rain gardens. Rahman et al. (2017) pointed out that the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology is a one way industrial plants can use to reduce carbon emissions from the environment.
In conclusion, climate change is a serious issue. Human activities and the greenhouse effect mainly cause it. It can also result in socio-economic impacts such as flooding, drought, death, heat waves, and water shortages. Besides, human activities and industrialization comprise significant contributors to climate change. Finally, climate change can be addressed through; implementation of Biodiversity policies, using sustainable and renewable energy sources, integrating the capture and sequestration/storage (CCS) extracts carbon emissions and implementing carbon neutral policies by planting urban forests and bio-infiltration rain gardens.
References
Buseong, K & Harris, B. (2017). South Korea joins ranks of world’s most polluted countries. Retrieved May 13, 2019 from https://www.ft.com/content/b49a9878-141b-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c
Jung, W. (2017). South Korea’s Air Pollution: Gasping for Solutions. Retrieved May 13, 2019 from http://isdp.eu/publication/south-koreas-air-pollution-gasping-solutions/
Liquete, C., Udias, A., Conte, G., Grizzetti, B., & Masi, F. (2016). Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits. Ecosystem Services, 22, 392-401.
Lloret, A., Domenge, R., & Castro-Hernández, M. (2019). Regulatory Limits to Corporate Sustainability: How Climate Change Law and Energy Reforms in Mexico May Impair Sustainability Practices in Mexican Firms. Systems, 7(1), 3.
Matawal, D. S., & Maton, D. J. (2013). Climate Change and Global Warming: Signs, Impact and Solutions. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 4(1), 62.
Rahman, F. A., Aziz, M. M. A., Saidur, R., Bakar, W. A. W. A., Hainin, M. R., Putrajaya, R., & Hassan, N. A. (2017). Pollution to solution: Capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its utilization as a renewable energy source for a sustainable future. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 71, 112-126.
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