Climate Change
Topic:
MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT: FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE, TILL
DEATH.
Essayist: OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH KOMOLAFE
Date: Friday, 30th December, 20101
1. Climate Change in Perspective
1.1. The Definition
Firstly, let us see ‘change’ in the perspective of someone who goes to a shopping
mall to purchase some gift items and gets a refund haven paid in ‘‘ excess’’.
‘Climate Change’, with climate serving as an adjective qualifying the ‘change’,
may be seen as what is released to alter the earth’s climate over a long period of
time as a result of ‘‘excess’’ release of Greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
In simple and precise terms, climate change can be said to be a long time alteration
in global weather patterns, this is caused by heat trapping gasses which have been
referred to as green house gasses (GHG) 2 produced by vehicles, power plants,
industrial processes and deforestation. This suggests that this occurs over a period
of time, which may take decades or centuries. Greenhouse gases include, but are
not limited to, carbon dioxide and methane.
Technically, Climate Change refers to a regional alteration in temperature and
weather patterns over a long period of time, say 30 years or even more. Climate
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change is both a natural phenomena and has also been created by man. In its first
sense, it is like the human body facing the natural occurrence of wear and tear such
as the renewal of muscles and cells. In the second man induced part, it is like a
human being who introduces excess into his body system either through the over
dosage of drug usage or smoking and drinking excessively. In reality, Greenhouse
gases are a natural part of the biosphere and would exist if man does not take a
conscious step towards jealously protecting the environment. Indeed, they are
critical components that add essence to planet earth’s existence. If greenhouse
gases didn’t exist, the temperature on planet earth would average zero degrees!
Naturally occurring gases, however, keep the temperature at a much more livable
59 degrees. So, if climate change occurs naturally, what is the big panic about, you
might ask? Well, the problem we are facing is the volume of green house gases in
the atmosphere. These gases act as thermal blankets for the atmosphere. The more
gas in the atmosphere, the thicker the blanket and the less heat escapes. It is like
covering a pot firmly while leaving in on fire. How does the heat escape?
1.2 A lame man’s perspective on Climate Change
Often time, climate change has been confused by many with the hole in the ozone
layer; however these two factors which pose a geographical threat are not closely
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related or interwoven. There is a large difference between the duo, though
aggravated by same conditions. Imagine being in a kitchen, frying plantain soaked
in hot oil under intense fire of your stove. As the plantain gets fried, the heat from
the oil and fire from then stove increases the heat level one feels in the kitchen. In
like manner, the kitchen is the earth, the heat is the Green house emission and the
plantain is the Ozone layer. In the 1980’s it was realized that industrial pollutants
were damaging the ozone layers and holes had appeared in it. These same Green
house gases are responsible for the change we experience in our climate; same
cause but different effects and circumstances.
In making a distinction between the Climate Change and the hole in the Ozone
layer, it is pertinent to state that the Ozone layer is the upper layer of the
atmosphere where most atmospheric release to the earth is collected, absorbing
harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The main cause of the hole in the ozone
layer is chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) such gasses which are found in industrial
machines, vehicles, refrigerator, air conditioners, these CFC’s in the atmosphere
cause warming.
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Diagram 1: Showing the Ozone depletion process
1.3 Climate Change and Weather: A differentiation
“It is really a sunny day. I feel heat because of the weather. The climate has
changed from that of last year” mutters Elizabeth. One would have to ask Elizabeth
what she really means; is it just the weather that is so unbearable or is it that the
climate has really changed. But in identifying the distinction between a change in
weather and a change in climate, a definition of the terms should suffice.
The difference between weather and climate involves a measure of time. ‘Weather’
is what the condition of the atmosphere is over a short period of time, and climate
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is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time. Weather is
basically the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects
upon life and human activities. The difference between weather and climate is that
weather consists of the short-term (minutes to months) changes in the atmosphere.
In most places, weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-
day, and season-to-season. Climate, however, is the average of weather over time
and space, say 30 years or more. Such includes averages of precipitation,
temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind velocity, phenomena such as fog, frost, and
hail storms, and other measures of the weather that occur over a long period in a
particular place. An easy way to remember the difference is that climate is what
you expect, like a very hot summer, and weather is what you get, like a hot day
with pop-up thunderstorms. Weather, on the other hand, includes sunshine, rain,
cloud cover, winds, hail, snow, sleet, freezing rain, flooding, blizzards, ice storms,
thunderstorms, steady rains from a cold front or warm front, excessive heat, heat
waves and more.
1.4 Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate Change is about much more than how warm or cool our temperatures
are. Whereas "global warming" refers to increasing global temperatures,
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"climate change" refers to regional conditions. However, the term ‘global
warming’ is sometimes used to refer specifically to climate change caused by
human activity; for example, the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change defines climate change as:
"a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity
that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to
natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods."
In the latter sense climate change is synonymous with global warming.
Fig 2: Diagram showing causes and effects of global warming
2. Causes of Climate Change
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We can therefore divide the causes into two, namely:
2.1. Natural: This is the reason for the earth’s climate change before man’s
mastery of his environment. Natural causes include emission of
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) from ocean, decomposition of organic matter
mashes (emission of methane), respiration of animals and plants
(carbon dioxide release).
2.2. Man Made: The root cause of climate change in this regard is simply
summed up in the six-letter word ‘excess’. Who produces this excess?
It is you and I; humans. In considering the effect of the emission of
Green house gases into the earth’s atmosphere, let us take a look at the
human anatomy. If I take in excess pain reliever, “paracetamol” for
instance, the side effect could be fatigue or death. Excess alcohol
means intoxication and high health risk of kidney or heart failure. A
pregnant woman who takes in excess drugs may be in form a
deformation of her child at birth. Then why should the earth be any
different? In the words of the scientists Michael Faraday, ‘the earth is
a closed system’ just as much as the human body is. The climate
change problem is related to changes in the concentration of the
greenhouse gases (water vapor, CO2, CH4, N2O, and CFCs), which
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trap infrared radiation from the Earth's surface and thus cause the
greenhouse effect. This effect is a natural phenomenon, which helps
maintain a stable temperature and climate on Earth. Human activities,
such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and some industrial
processes have led to an increase in greenhouse gases concentration.
Consequently, more infrared radiation has been captured in the
atmosphere, which causes changes in the air temperature, precipitation
patterns, sea-level rise, and melting of glaciers. Deforestation has
largely contributed to the quagmire.
Diagram 3: Showing how the Green House Gases(GHG) 2 contribute to
climate change
3. Predictions on Climate Change: The Facts
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Many of the scenarios indicate that by the middle of the 21st century emissions of
carbon dioxide should at least start to level off, though some predict increase in
emissions throughout this century. There is a prediction of further increase in
carbon dioxide concentrations by the end of the century, with some of the scenarios
predicting a doubling or even more of today's levels of carbon dioxide. If the
predicted increase in greenhouse gas concentration is then translated into
temperature changes, a global temperature increase of between 1 and 5.5 degrees
centigrade is predicted. This implies a double or more increase in the losses and
disasters such as sea level rise, the thermal expansion of water and ice melts around
the world associated with Climate Change than we presently encounter.
4. The implications of Climate Change
4.1. . Environmental
Warming varies by regions and is accompanied by changes in rainfall pattern
leading to landslide, droughts, desertification, soil erosion, famine, and heat
waves. Such would culminate into the melting of ice caps in the cold region and
cause thermal expansion of oceans, overflow of water in coastal regions as well as
rising global surface temperature with arched soil, shrink soil and increased
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chances of erosion and building subsidence. For example, in the past, the northern
Atlantic has traditionally been cooler than the southern Atlantic, drawing rain-rich
winds away from the Sahel. In the last 10 years of this period however, the
conditions changed so that the north Atlantic was now warmer, resulting in
increased rainfall in the Sahel, ending the drought in the 1990s. Also, on dry land,
the situation is similar. It has been estimated that the average surface temperature
will rise between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees in the next 100 years. The greatest warming
is projected to occur in the Sahel and central southern Africa. In simple terms, this
amount represents a double increase in rainfall, drought and many of such
environmental abnormalities.
Diagram 4: Showing the implication of climate change to the environment
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4.2. Energy and Engineering
Changes in our energy source with new policies will result in development and
reliance on new power source such as solar energy, geochemical, wind and water.
Also house building methodology would change with the use of ‘‘green roof ’’ to
reduce heat etc.
4.3. Economic implications
National income for oil producing and exporting nations would dwindle. For
example, in Nigeria, reduction in global demand for fuel will have great economic
implications. The same goes for nations whose national income is largely
dependent on oil. To mention a few, disease and medical conditions from adverse
climate change and disaster would be another economic burden for nations and
individuals.
4.4. Health and Agriculture
According to Nick Nutall of the United Nations Environmental Programme:
“There is very, very big connection between emergence of new disease and
environmental change”. Facts reveal this, for example:12
Chicago heat wave led to 700 deaths
25,000 people died in heat wave that hit Western Europe in 2003
A geometric increase in new diseases and infections with existing ones,
since 1976. In fact, according to World Health Organization (W.H.O.), there
is the emergence of 30 new diseases
Nipah virus infection from deforestation Malaysia
10% rise in deforestation resulted in 8% increase in malaria as a study in
Latin America reveals. What is the fate of the globe? With a geometric
propensity for malaria increase in Africa.
Increase in Cerebrospinal meningitis in Nigeria.
On Agriculture, farmers would have to adjust planting and harvesting techniques
and timing. For example, the rising sea level will lead to loss of the fertile coastal
lands; proliferation of agriculture pest like aphids, causing decrease in wood and
wood production.
5. Possible solutions and the way forward
In Winston Churchill’s words:
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“The era of procrastination, of half measures, of soothing and baffling expedients
of delay are coming to a close. In its place, we are entering a period of
consequences.”
5.1. Find alternative to Fossil Fuel
The first challenge is eliminating the burning of coal, oil and, eventually, natural
gas. This is perhaps the most daunting challenge as citizens of richer nations
literally eat, wear, work, play and even sleep on the products made from such
fossilized sunshine. And citizens of developing nations want and arguably deserve
the same comforts, which are largely thanks to the energy stored in such fuels. 1
However, we must try to employ alternatives when possible—plant-derived
plastics, biodiesel, wind power—and to invest in the change, be it by divesting
from oil stocks or investing in companies practicing carbon capture and storage.
In finding alternative to fossil fuel, we must also Promote Future Fuels.
Replacing fossil fuels may prove the great challenge of the 21st century. Many
contenders exist, ranging from ethanol derived from crops to hydrogen electrolyzed
out of water, but all of them have some drawbacks, too, and none are immediately
available at the scale needed. Bio-fuels can have a host of negative impacts, from
driving up food prices to sucking up more energy than they produce. Hydrogen
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must be created, requiring either reforming natural gas or electricity to crack water
molecules. Biodiesel hybrid electric vehicles (that can plug into the grid overnight)
may offer the best transportation solution in the short term, given the energy
density of diesel and the carbon neutral ramifications of fuel from plants as well as
the emissions of electric engines.
5.2. The ‘monogamous’ approach to tree planting:
Every year, 33 million acres of forests are cut down. Timber harvesting in the
tropics alone contributes 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. That
represents 20 percent of human-made greenhouse gas emissions and a source that
could be avoided relatively easily. By biological analysis, plants give out oxygen
and take in some of the major Green house gases in form of carbon dioxide, a
major cause of Climate Change. The more trees, the less the absorption of Green
emissions to the Ozone layer. Every individual should be encouraged to plant and
nurture a tree.
5.3. Promote Think Green:
What is fundamental is to fund the mental. The level of environmental illiteracy is
on the increase, especially in Africa. The easiest way to cut back on greenhouse gas
emissions is simply to ‘think green’. Whether by forgoing an automobile or
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employing a reusable grocery sack, cutting back on consumption results in fewer
fossil fuels being burned to extract, produce and ship products around the globe.
For instance, if you are in the market for a new car, buy one that will last the
longest and have the least impact on the environment such as a vehicle with a
hybrid engine.
Also awareness programmes in form of edutainment such as Drama, Music as well
as information materials in the language they understand. This should be done with
no sentiments in tribe, group or age as everyone needs to be informed on the need
to protect our environment and the risk involved if we fail to do so. Disseminating
of appropriate information should not be limited to tertiary institutions, primary
and secondary school students as well as the illiterates including those in rural
areas and people with little or no access to formal education and the
environmentally illiterates should be well informed and educated.
5.4. Recycling
Garbage such as soda cans, candy wrappers, juice bottles, plastics, metals, papers
and glass can be recycled which will help cut down on the number of trash
produced. A lot of this garbage can in turn be made into something useful thereby
conserving resources and utilizing energy. Recycling also conserves valuable lands
which can be used for other economic purposes. This means that fewer landfills are 16
needed for dumping and burning of trash thus reducing pollution of our natural
environment.
5.5 Strict observance and enforcements by countries of the Kyoto protocols
as well as others such as the Montreal protocol, the Delhi Declaration, among
others.
5.6Laws and strict policies should be made against illegal deforestation and
felling of trees.
6. CONCLUSION
The need for a serious approach on Climate Change can be illustrated from the
Carpenter’s story. Some years back, a contractor offered his Engineer the task of
building a house for him before he finally retires. The Engineer as it is usual of him
used sub-standard materials. After concluding, the Contractor gave the Engineer
the keys and told him ‘this is your house’. Only if the Engineer knew, he would
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have built the house to standard. In the earth we are the Engineers and when we are
older what kind of world do we want to live in or leave as an inheritance for our
children to live in?
Let us imagine couples joined together in holy matrimony as they say ‘I promise to
love you with my heart, in sickness and in health till death do us part’ .The same
applies to man and his environment. Man has a direct union whether consciously or
unconsciously instituted with the earth.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY/ REFERENCES
McMichael, A. J., and Haines, A. (1997). "Global Climate Change:
The Potential Effects on Health." British Medical Journal 315:805–809.
"The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" . 21
March 1994.
2004's Global Temperature Review on
nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/article
Article 1: UN framework convention on climate change
Link between environment and disease by Jane Lloyd (published by
UN Chronicle, Volume 34, Number 2)
Onefeghara, F.A. (1990) Nigeria, Wetlands
Environment and the Emerging health risks by Professor Sridhar
M.K.C. and Dr. Oloruntobi E.O. (published by DOKITA Journal,
Volume 30, Number 1)
Climate Change: A ticking time bomb by Dr. Ebekozien Osagie
(published by DOKITA Journal, Volume 33, Number 1, February 2008).
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