Introduction
It is evident that human activity is constantly changing the planet. Even natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, etc. happen more frequently and bring more harm as a result of human interventions into the natural environment. The notions of the greenhouse effect, peak oil, and global warming are common headings in the news (Lefebvre, Jimenez, & Cabanas, 2016). Diverse weather abnormalities, both natural and caused by human activity, have a negative impact on every sphere of life.
Climate change is, probably, among the most discussed issues since it is a global environmental phenomenon (Uitto, Puri, & van den Berg, 2017). There is a necessity for urgent and concerted actions to manage climate challenges. They can be executed through careful research of climate change causes and consequences. It will help to plan mitigation efforts and improve the opportunities for societies and the global economic system to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Defining the Problem of Climate Change
Climate change is a global problem for humanity nowadays. It can be defined as “a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns or average temperatures” (Met Office, 2015, para. 1). Recently, the major focus in the problem of climate change is on global warming. There were some warmer or colder periods in history. For example, “Ice Age” or “Medieval Warm Period” happened probably due to “cyclical lows in solar radiation, heightened volcanic activity, changes in the ocean circulation, and an inherent variability in global climate” (Chen, Suzuki, & Lackner, 2017, p. 4).
At present, human activity is considered to be a primary reason for climate change. According to the instrumental recording of temperatures which has been taken for about 200 years, the temperature increase is 0.5°C during the past century. Also, there are certain regional climate change trends and patterns (Chen, Suzuki, & Lackner, 2017). Apart from higher temperatures, the evidence for climate change is as follows. Since the 20th century, the change in the rainfall intensity and its distribution between the seasons has been observed (Met Office, 2015). Also, a general change in seasons is observed around the world.
For example, spring begins earlier and autumn begins later than expected according to the calendar. One of the crucial signs of climate change is the rise of the sea level. Thus, a global increase of about 19 cm has been observed since 1900 (Met Office, 2015). Finally, ice is disappearing from the earth’s surface. Glaciers in the mountains such as the Alps, Andes, Himalayas, and others are melting; sea ice in the Arctic reduced by 4% for the recent 50 years; and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctic that make the world’s stores of freshwater, are extensively shrinking (Met Office, 2015). The situation can probably be improved through the set of actions that are aimed at the reduction of negative consequences of climate change.
Consequences of Climate Change
Climate change brings diverse consequences. It touches every sphere of life but has the most significant effects on economics, human health, and the environment in general. Recently, there appeared a suggestion concerning the cultural influence of climate change.
Economic Impact of Climate Change
One of the aspects connecting climate change and economics in agriculture. Nelson et al. (2014) agree that agricultural production is sensitive to weather and thus significantly influenced by climate change. The authors provide research aimed at the development of models able to “transfer a large part of the climate change shock” and thus decrease the loss of profit (Nelson et al., 2014, p. 3478). It is important because climate change proved to have an effect both on production and consumption.
Another economic concern is the reduction of emissions which stimulate further climate change. Experts believe that “climate-economic models need to be extended to include a wider range of social and economic impacts” (Reveszet al., 2014, para. 6). It is important to reduce climate change because future costs of its influence will be even higher. Climate change makes economics more vulnerable and reduces labor productivity.
One more concern related both to economics and health is freshwater. It is one of the most vital natural resources of the planet crucial for the existence of life. The stores of drinking water are relatively small, and water deficit can cause a serious crisis (Schewa et al., 2014). However, industries and agriculture consume more water resources. For example, irrigation or hydropower and the cooling of thermoelectric power plants, demand significant water resources (Schewa et al., 2014).
Thus, the functioning of these facilities depends on the amount of fresh water in the district. It is evident that the scarcity of freshwater resources already limits development in many countries. Nevertheless, the experts agree that “the expected growth of global population over the coming decades, together with growing economic prosperity, will increase water demand and thus aggravate these problems” (Schewa et al., 2014, p. 3245). Thus, the problem of climate change is a threat to water security and needs resolution.
Health Issues of Climate Change
Climate change, among other negative effects, influences human health. The impact of climate change on human health has three major factors. They are the rising temperatures, weather extremes, and rising sea levels (Makwahya, 2016). Each of these factors comprises a set of impacts that influence human health. For example, rising sea levels have an impact on mental health and can cause anxiety, depression, despair, and other stressful conditions. Also, air pollution contributes to the development of asthma and cardiovascular disease (see Figure 1).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides the results of assessments in reports that “document the now overwhelming evidence that human activities have been the major driver of recent warming of the earth’s surface, and that both climate change, and its consequences, will continue into the future” (World Health Organization, n.d.). First of all, the health assessment supports and expands the evidence base concerning the health risks related to climate change.
According to the assessment results, negative health influences will outweigh positive ones. The conclusion of the assessment is that climate change “will act mainly, at least until the middle of this century, by exacerbating health problems that already exist, and the largest risks will apply in populations that are currently most affected by climate-related diseases” (World Health Organization, n.d., para. 5). It proves the existence of the under-nutrition problem which is caused by the shortening of food production, injury and disease stimulated by intense heat waves and fires, and changes in the time and space occurrence of communicable diseases.
Heat exposure is another significant health risk to be considered. Under conditions of global warming, the ability of humans to deal with heat will significantly increase during the hot seasons in some areas. This fact can cause the inability of people to work or have rest outdoors without particular protection. The research proves that climate change-related heat stress influences people in the workplace (Kjellstrom et al., 2016).
It was revealed that the local loss of labor productivity “during daylight working hours is currently up to 10% in particularly hot areas of the world and could be as high as 30–40% by 2085” (Kjellstrom et al., 2016, p. 111). The possible losses in GDP are estimated at 2 trillion US dollars annually by 2030. Moreover, as of 2100, the expected loss of global GDP is predicted to be 23% (Kjellstrom et al., 2016).
Thus, there is a necessity to reduce these negative influences and develop adaptive measures. The preventive interventions can include “changes in working practices, mechanization of heavy labor, and the installation and use of air cooling technologies” (Kjellstrom et al., 2016, p. 111). Some initiatives promoting investments in preventative health are introduced. Climate change is a challenge to humanity which demands actions. Thus, the prediction of possible health consequences caused by climate change and modeling of further climate alterations can be provided in projects. Such assessment will allow the development of preventive health strategies thus reducing the negative effects of climate change on human health.
One more necessary intervention which connects health issues with economic ones is the reduction of carbon emissions (World Health Organization, n.d.). these interventions are likely to shorten the negative effect of carbon emissions on the environment and, as a result, improve people’s health. It is considered that there is a necessity to plan actions aimed at the shortening of greenhouse gas emissions that will be an advantage for health.
Another possible advantage for human health can be gained through the reduction of air pollution which conditions about seven million deaths annually. On the whole, it can be concluded that both climate-sensitive health risks, and the health advantages that can be gained by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, should be a primary concern of the world governments, healthcare, and environmental organizations.
Cultural Aspects of Climate Change
Adger, Barnett, Brown, Marshal, and O’Brian (2013) introduce cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. The authors agree that “society’s response to every dimension of global climate change is mediated by culture” (Adger et al., 2013, p. 112). The research findings prove that the reaction and adaptation of societies to risks connected with climate can be influenced by some cultural dimensions.
For example, the reduction of Arctic snow and ice cover makes hunters and fishers change their usual fishing and hunting species. It can cause the loss of “traditional knowledge and cultural identity such as traditional housing” (Adger et al., 2013, p. 112). Also, decrease or loss of snow cover and glaciers can lead to the loss of “winter culture and recreation and the place of snow in ritual and sense of place” which is observed in contemporary Europe, North America, and Australia (Adger et al., 2013, p. 112). As a result, an attempt is made to integrate the changing cultural dimensions with large-scale climate assessments.
These assessments include, for example, Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (2005), National Ecosystem Assessment—United Kingdom (2011), or Climate Witness (currently in progress). The cultural dimensions of climate change should not be ignored. Such ignorance can cause the failure of adaptation and mitigation interventions because they will not be accepted and understood by individuals and communities.
Climate Change Mitigation Actions
The primary purpose of climate change mitigation is to develop a set of interventions able to restraint the progress of climate change. Since the increase of carbon dioxide and methane concentrations in the atmosphere are among the leading causes of climate change, interventions are necessary to reduce their negative impact (Lefebvre, Jimenez, & Cabanas, 2016). Thus, it is planned to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere from 1,000 to 400 ppm (Chen, Suzuki, & Lackner, 2017).
This intervention will lead to a decrease in the global temperature from 6°C to 2°C. On the whole, mitigation actions depend on the location and the effects of climate change in a particular area. However, they all are aimed at the reduction of emissions from deforestation, aviation or maritime transport, and other mitigation actions appropriate to every country.
Conclusions
Climate change and the following global warming become a burden to contemporary humanity. Active development of industries and agriculture together with the thoughtless use of natural resources has caused irreversible changes in nature. At present, humans as integral parts of nature, experience the negative influence of their activity. Climate change impacts diverse spheres of life. Thus, negative consequences of climate change can be observed in economics, human health, and even culture.
There is a necessity to reduce and prevent the hazardous influence of climate change. It demands more attention to the safety of human activities and the sustainability of natural resources. Careful planning of industry and agriculture development, measures aimed at the reduction of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, and similar actions can be efficient for the improvement of environmental conditions. Such interventions are likely to reduce harmful impacts on human health, economics, and the development of humanity in general.
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