21/11/2020
The importance of being informed about climate and the impact of Climate change :
This topic is about climate and climate change. I'm about to touch on topics which are basic in knowledge, but sometimes we take for granted. The subject matter would give you an idea or insight of what to wear and what not wear or probably pack up things that are not required and put into boxes as most of the world goes into winter and cold chilly season. The topic is lengthy so please relax with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!
Although the importance and topic about climate change may be lengthy; it's information ; we would have to remind our selves again and again is that weather all around the globe seem to only worsen.day after day . We would have to take immediate action as individuals or corporates and institutions to make a change in our own lifestyles and habits.
Climate in general affects the way of life of people no matter where they live. For example, it influences the kinds of clothing people wear and the kinds of food they grow and eat. It also influences the types of homes they live in and the types of transportation they use.In addition, climate helps determine the kinds of plants and animals that can live in an area.
CLOTHING AND CLIMATE:
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People wear clothing that protects them against the climate of their area. In warm regions, people wear clothes made of a light weight material, such as cotton or linen. Much of the clothing in warm regions is white or light- coloured because these colours reflect the Sun's rays. In cold region people wear heavy clothing made of such materials as fur (nothing against PETA) or wool. People of the Arabian deserts wear loose, flowing robes that protect them from both the hot day and the cold nights of the desert. In regions that have cold winters and warm summer's, people wear heavy clothing in the winter and light clothing in summer .
Food and Climate:
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Most food crops grow best in areas that have a certain climate. A mild fairly dry climate is best for growing wheat. Rice thrives in a warm, rainy climate. Many orchards are planted on a hillside, rather than in a nearby village. Frost, which may damage fruit, occurs more often in valleys than on hillsides.
Housing and Climate:
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Homes provide protection against the climate. People who live in an area with a hot season and a cold season build sturdy, well - insulated housing that keeps out the heat. In rainy places, houses may have a steep, painted roof so that rain can run off easily. Asbestos is not a solution. It's only later I learnt the affect of asbestos sheets. They are harmful and should not form as an insulation or protection for shelter.
Animal life and climate
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Certain animals have adapted to life in certain climates . For example camels live in the hot, dry deserts of Africa and Asia. These animals can go without water for days or even months. Crocodiles are found in rivers, swamps, and marshes in hot regions, including parts of Central America. Polar bears live in the Artic, and penguins live in Antarctica . Both the Artic and Antarctic have an extremely cold climate.
Plant life and climate .
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Plant life also varies wih climate. Cactuses grow chiefly in areas that are hot and dry. These plants differ greatly from the evergreens that are found in cold northern regions. The beech and maple forests that thrive in the climate of New England differ from the grasslands of the Mid western United States. Tall trees grow in the warm, rainy climate of many regions near the equator.But only masses and other small plants can live in the extremely cold areas near the North and South poles.
The changing climate - Climate change as
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we know it.
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The old theory is this: (Yet it needs to be taken seriously ): Changes in climate takes place slowly through the years. For example the climate of many areas Of North America was somewhat colder in the 1960's and early 1970's than in the 1930 's and 1940's. This change formed part of a worldwide cooling pattern that began in the late 1940's. Yet the climate of North America is much warmer today than it was 15,000 years ago. At that time, glaciers covered much of what is now Canada and the Northern United States.
Climatologists believe there may be a number of causes to climatic changes. One cause might be a change in the amount of energy given off by the sun or in the earth orbit around the sun. Such changes may produce a variation in the amount of heat received from the sun Another cause of "Climatic Change" as they would term it as, maybe volcanic dust. When a volcano erupts, it throws huge amounts of this dust into the atmosphere. The dust may stay in the air for many years, scattering the sun's rays and reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground. Thus, a volcanic eruption may have cooling effects. Agricultural and Industrial activity also causes large amounts of particles to be discharged in the air. These particles may have effects similar to those caused by volcanic dust.
Another cause of Climate change may be carbon di oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. Carbon di oxide is also produced by burning. Since about 1900, the amount of carbon di oxide in the atmosphere has increased considerably because people have burned large amounts of fuel in their homes and in factories. Carbon di oxide allows sunlight to reach the earth and warm it's surface, but it prevents some surface heat from escaping out of the atmosphere. This Greenhouse effect may raise the tempratures near the ground.
Although a general cooling of the earth's climate has occurred since the 1940's , some areas have become warmer. In addition some areas have become wetter and others have become drier. Climatologists do not know exactly why these changes have taken place. Neither do they know which changes form part of a natural pattern and which ones, if any , have been caused by people. Some Climatologists believe temperature variation caused by increased Carbon Di oxide or particles in the air may have brought changes in the earth's wind systems. Such changes, in turn, may have caused various kinds of climatic changes.
Climatologists want to learn which climatic changes occur, chiefly because some of these changes could hurt food production. Knowledge of what is in such changes may help scientist prepare for them.
These were the opinions and conclusions of people of the past such as noted hsitorians; howeveer in the current scenario people have this to say about climate change:
Climate change includes both the global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases, and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns.Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century the rate of human impact on Earth's climate system and the global scale of that impact have been unprecedented.
That human activity has caused climate change is not disputed by any scientific body of national or international standing.The largest driver has been the emission of greenhouse gases, of which more than 90% are carbon dioxide (CO
2) and methane.Fossil fuel burning for energy consumption is the main source of these emissions, with additional contributions from agriculture, deforestation, and industrial processes.Temperature rise is accelerated or tempered by climate feedbacks, such as loss of sunlight-reflecting snow and ice cover, increased water vapour (a greenhouse gas itself), and changes to land and ocean carbon sinks.
Because land surfaces heat faster than ocean surfaces, deserts are expanding and heat waves and wildfires are more common.Surface temperature rise is greatest in the Arctic, where it has contributed to melting permafrost, and the retreat of glaciers and sea ice.Increasing atmospheric energy and rates of evaporation cause more intense storms and weather extremes, which damage infrastructure and agriculture.Rising temperatures are limiting ocean productivity and harming fish stocks in most parts of the globe. Current and anticipated effects from undernutrition, heat stress and disease have led the World Health Organization to declare climate change the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.Environmental effects include the extinction or relocation of many species as their ecosystems change, most immediately in coral reefs, mountains, and the Arctic. Even if efforts to minimize future warming are successful, some effects will continue for centuries, including rising sea levels, rising ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification from elevated levels of CO
2.
Many of these effects are already observed at the current level of warming, which is about 1.1 °C (2.0 °F).[15] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a series of reports that project significant increases in these impacts as warming continues to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) and beyond.Under the Paris Agreement, nations agreed to keep warming "well under 2.0 °C (3.6 °F)" by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, under those pledges, global warming would reach about 2.8 °C (5.0 °F) by the end of the century, and current policies will result in about 3.0 °C (5.4 °F) of warming.[17] Limiting warming to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) would require halving emissions by 2030, then reaching near-zero levels by 2050.
Mitigation efforts include the research, development, and deployment of low-carbon energy technologies, enhanced energy efficiency, policies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reforestation, and forest preservation. Climate engineering techniques, most prominently solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal, have substantial limitations and carry large uncertainties. Societies and governments are also working to adapt to current and future global-warming effects through improved coastline protection, better disaster management, and the development of more resistant crops.
In conclusion:
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In my personal opinion climate change and it's detrimental effects are significant and important to our daily living and future.
Seasonal changes are affected due to climate change with incessant rains, flooding, rise in sea levels , famines and extreme climatic conditions. It is the responsibility of evey governing body of every country to take climate change and reduction of gas emissions very seriously. If government agencies and countries brush climate change under the carpet and presume it inadvertently does not affect them...In short for sight it does. All countries use oil and gas to fuel their turbines and automobiles, switching to electric cars is one solution but considering a balance has to be a solution. Every year we see sea levels rising and havoc that is left after heavy rains and soil erosion.
How do we as " individuals ?" ( concious- law -abiding- tax -paying citizens ) reduce emmitions or do our bit to see that change or make that change ?
We are constantly reminded to " reduce , re-use and recyle" products that fall into our hands for general use ? Segregation , de-composting of waste and rain water harvesting are new concepts that housing societies are taking initiatives here in India. Installing solar energy panels and creating vegetable gardens on roof tops are wonderful ideas. Offices to recycle computer printers and papers are alternatives. Use paperless products. Corporates need to take carbon footprint initiatives.
Corporates that already have the ISO certification for better environment safety standards are always held in high esteem. Constant " think- tanks " are required to come up with better ideas and initiatives. Car- pooling was an initiative which went well until covid-19 arrived on the scene in 2019.
The utilization of " solar energy " has been a top priority. Some companies have switched to utilizing Solar panels and windmills. Agricultural drones to survey tilled land with the supervision of Government Authority would help farmers in a big way. However this concept is still in a nascent stage.
Local bodies have initiated recycling bins but how much do we save and conserve?
Are we consciously making an effort to switch off lights when required? Have we switched to L E D bulbs and tube lights to save electricity. Have we replaced inundated electrical equipment , so there is no fluctuation of electricity. Food wastage or Food Banks ? Concepts we have to learn and grow with. The effect of extreme climate change effects sales of bumper crops causing farmers distress because; in case there s a slight change in weather and it could effect the harvest of certain crops. One time; or now several times here in India the damage of onions ( a daily staple in most houses) gets damaged and in turn effects exports leaving Government agencies and initiatives on tgeir part in turmoil.
The use of plastic : for industrial use of plastic like the ones that cover the shanties during heavy rains is laudible .However , the careless use of plastic and the attitude that someone else will clear up the mess is not accepted. In any community or society or for that matter (environment agencies and organizations) are agitated when certain areas of the city are simply thrashed with plastic. The nexus between corporators and inhabitants as to "whose job is It?" Should not be an insult to those given higher education. Plastic is the last product that can be recycled. It would take ages or never to turn into another bye - product. No one is criticizing the government but the facts are there for all to see. Sometimes bringing the attention of the environmental havoc to local authorities,most of the time, fall on deaf ears. That is why it should begin with individuals like you and me. Carry one cloth or bag of whatever material to the market there is no need for the grocer to give you additional bags?
A strict ban of plastic or plastic products is not the solution. In the city of Mumbai I have seen one plastic recycling vending machine which is at a train sub station. If many more are developed then the city has a chance of being saved.
One would conveniently put the blame on big enterprises and organizations and entities for extreme effect on cyclones and tornadoes, but it only takes an individual to decide what s right and wrong.
I am attaching images of products available on Amazon (www.amazon.in)that could enhance one's knowledge and utilities to reduce climate change on an individual level.
I hope this article was informative ? I am aware of head honchos who are keen in green thumb initiatives. I have taken the liberty to compile this article from enclopedia and Google.
Have a nice day and here's wishing everyone " seasons greetings : and hopeful to a bright New Year and to a future of saving mother earth.
