Introduction
The weather patterns have changed over time. Scientists have revealed that the earth is in danger and action must be taken quickly. This is due to the impacts of climate change. Climate change may have different causes where some may be natural while others are manmade (Lambeck, 2010, p. 2). This essay will define and describe climate change. It will give examples and then state what research and scientists say. It will also give the international agreements on climate change.
Definition and descriptions
According to the Climate Fact Sheet (2010, p. 1), climate change is long-standing variation in climate of an area or globe. The wind patterns, the temperature and the amount of rainfall are used to determine the changes in temperature. Moreover, variations in climate patterns are also climate change although the regular weather conditions are similar. The two periods must have a clear shift that is noticeable. Usually, the atmosphere changes in a way that the energy of the sun absorbed by the atmosphere as well as the surface is different from the previous time.
The United Nations (1992, p. 3) defines climate change as alteration of the climate that has been triggered by human doings that interferes with the constituents of the atmosphere when combined with the natural changes while considering the two different periods.
Causes of climate change
Lambeck (2010) argues that the climate changes naturally. Historically, the sunlight intensity that gets to the earth varies hence it makes the earth to have cycles that are warm and others cool in a regular manner. The earth has been in a warm cycle for an extended period.
Ocean currents are also believed to cause climate change. This is so because they can interfere with the warmth of the earth and rainfall. Volcanic eruptions are also causes of climate change. Volcanic eruptions that are very large can amplify the amount of particles in the atmosphere and block the sun.
Another cause of climate change is the alterations in the atmosphere. The temperatures have been altered. The greenhouse gas may be challenging to support the plants and the animals as well as the human beings. The Climate Fact Sheet (2010, p. 1) notes that human beings are responsible for climate change. The earth’s surface has experienced changes and the ozone layer affected as a result of human beings activities. They have also led to the release of the greenhouse gases that contaminate the atmosphere.
There is an increase of the greenhouse gases that have contributed to the warming of the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases bring imbalance in the atmosphere. Emissions by the motor vehicles, charcoal burning, production of electricity, industrial emissions and the fossils that are burnt pollute the atmosphere. Another cause is disposal of garbage. Rainfall water that directs the garbage to the sea contaminates the sea waters hence the marine life may die as a result.
Examples of phenomena
The Middle East has been affected by climate changes. This is evident in the recent droughts that have been experienced. The region has also experienced floods in some coastal urban areas and affected farming practices in the countryside. The population in the Middle East is large and many habitats depend on the climate as many of them practice farming.
Change in climate exposes many to unemployment and stagnation in economic development. Tourism and agriculture largely depend on the climate. When the sea levels rise ports may be abandoned and many people become landless. The region has water scarcity.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been affected by climate change. This region has seen rising sea levels along the coast. It has experienced irregular rainfall patterns and temperature changes. Sections of it are also dry land and require policies that will enable it tap and preserve its natural resources.
Due to climate changes UAE may have inland migration. Moreover, the mangrove forest will be negatively affected. At the sea, the grass produced will be reduced as the coral reefs become bleached. Additionally, the fish in the sea might become degraded. In the inland, the range of biodiversity may become diminished as other ecosystems become displaced. The areas that are arid may become larger while the ecosystem in the forest and mountain become extinct as some of them are affected by high temperatures.
What scientists say and latest research suggest
In line with Lambeck (2010), the changes can be severe and affect a state’s economic, social and political trends. Climate change in rise of temperature will affect the wind patterns and consequently the amount of rainfall will be affected. Unpredictable weather will be very frequent as some of the weather events will be ruthless. The scientists also believe that reduction in the emission of green house gases will significantly lessen the adverse effects of climate change. They also note that failure to take action to save the world will lead to the worst.
The earth’s sea levels may increase due to the melting of glaciers and the ice; hence the coastal regions will eventually become flooded. As a result, the ecosystem may be unable to survive in changing weather and some of them become extinct since they may not be able to survive.
Scientist have not formed consensus on whether the effects of the climate change will get worse or will improve. Similarly predicting the changes in the rainfall patterns and other natural phenomena is challenging as the process is complicated and may require more investigations.
Scientists have all agreed that the climate is unpredictable. However, a consensus on how the climate change will differ in the future has not been reached. They have made it clear that the earth’s temperature has increased hence the name global warming. The scientists blame human being’s activities for the changes in the climate.
Such activities have intern made the sea levels to rise and the ozone layer to be affected. Consequently, the earth is endangered. Due to climate change, the ozone layer has been affected. The ozone layer that protects the earth is very thin and care must be taken because the consequences of a destroyed ozone layer are very severe. The earth’s species are endangered.
The marine life for instance may be overcome by the pollution on the water. Other findings reveal that the industrial revolution on the earth led to large amounts of greenhouse gases to be released in the atmosphere. Thus the imbalance is created by human beings. Fossil fuels make contributions to global warming (Lambeck, 2010).
The changes in climate are responsible for the spread of the desert. Populations migrate to the forest and are involved in deforestation. Plants are yield is deteriorated since rainfall patterns change and the quantities have been reduced and in other cases there are floods.
International agreements
Regions that have been affected by climate change are countless hence the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change suggested measures that can be followed to curb the problem of climate change (United Nations, 1992, p. 2). All states are required to agree with that the world is in danger of climate change and comply with the rules.
Activities that lead to emission of green house gases are discouraged. The ozone layer must be protected for the survival of human beings both in the present and in the future. Natural reservoirs of the earth must be preserved such as trees, animals and generally the environment.
Continuers’ research will be undertaken to investigate the climate changes. This will be supported by the individual states as well as international organizations such as World Bank. The support may be informed of infrastructure through investments, development of knowledge as in research and formulation and implementation of policies that encourage protection against climate change.
Human activities must be controlled in a manner that will not interfere with the climate. The developed countries are required to be in the fore front to put measures that protect the system. As they create the environment for development, the states must reduce on waste, avoid pollution and minimize the greenhouse gases. Besides people must be ready to adapt to changes that cannot be reversed after the climate has began changing. For instance the sea ecosystem must be protected. The population can adapt irrigation for agriculture.
The causes and effects of climate change should be taught to the young generation. They should be involved in the pursuit for a better future as they are going to live in the future. Policies need to be formulated and adopted to reduce the consequences of climate change. Different regions may have different problems hence different approaches that will solve the problem must be sort.
Conclusion
Climate change is the variation of the climate in an area. Climate change happens naturally and has also been as a result of human beings activities. The climate changes naturally after long periods of time and the current problems are increased by human activities. The increased greenhouse gases have caused the earth’s temperature to rise. Consequently, the ice is melting and the water at the sea level is rising.
The coast is in danger of flooding which will lead to landlessness and loss of property. The inlands are affected too and the plants and animals in danger of becoming extinct. In agriculture there is little yield with changed patterns of rainfall. There are many regions that affected among them United Arab Emirates and the Middle East. The scientists and research findings reveal that the human activities have largely contributed to the climate change.
Actions taken to protect climate change may lead to positive change while neglecting t e climate changes may lead to end of the planet. The international agreements encourage people to conserve the environment and to adapt to the changes according to situation. Moreover, research is emphasized. It is recommended that the climate change, its consequences and how it is can be prevented be taught in school. More policies need to adopt to alleviate the consequences and save the earth.
Reference List
Climate Fact Sheet. (2010). Facts about climate change. Web.
Lambeck, K. (2010). The science of climate change. Web.
United Nations. (1992). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Web.