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What is Climate Change?

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Climate Change refers to long-term changes to temperature, weather, or climate in a given area. Climate change can define changes in a region, but it is usually used to refer to large, long-term changes to Earth as a whole. At the root of climate change is a large change in temperature across the whole planet that heavily affects the ecosystems of the world. The current change in temperature is so large that scientists have called it the ‘6th mass extinction in Earth’s history’. Climate change is mainly caused by humans through the burning of fossil fuels, which put harmful greenhouse gases in the air. These gases keep heat trapped inside the atmosphere which raises global temperatures. These changes in temperature result in more extreme weather such as flooding or hurricanes, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and wildfires to name a few effects.

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How Does it Affect Humans?

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Climate change is quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to human livelihood that we have ever faced. It not only threatens to change almost every aspect of the way that we live, but if it is let to continue growing at a high rate it could even potentially threaten the entire world population. One major threat climate change poses is that it can lead to rising ocean levels which may leave the homes of millions of people uninhabitable in the future. Not only are the melting ice caps contributing to rising sea levels, but the heat from global warming actually causes water to expand as well(NASA). Another big problem that’s caused by climate change is droughts. Changing weather plans due to climate change are increasing the rate and severity of droughts across the world. Droughts can not only wreak havoc on an ecosystem, but leave civilizations devastated, causing widespread famine(Globalchange.gov) If the issue of climate change isn’t addressed soon, it could easily create much bigger problems than we are prepared for.

How Does it Affect Wildlife?

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               Human actions have accelerated the effects of climate change on the natural environment, making it a greater threat to wildlife and the habitats where they live. Climate change is not exclusive to warmer temperatures, it also affects weather patterns meaning extended droughts and more severe storms when it rains. Periods of drought make it harder for the environment to sustain the growth of plants and vegetation, and severe storms can be very damaging to plants and vegetation. While this directly influences primary consumers, it leads to a ripple effect that indirectly influences larger animals in higher trophic levels. Scientists studying the topic have noticed that with less resources available, species are getting smaller in size and in population. The size of species is also changing as the behavior of species change in response to the climate. One example is the interference of climate change on the timing of hibernation, causing species to hibernate too early or for shorter periods of time. In addition, scientists have noted that species’ ranges are decreasing because of higher temperatures and rising sea levels. While some generalist species have been able to shift to areas more suitable for them, endemic species have been more affected by climate change because they cannot easily migrate to new locations. Additionally, some species are unable to relocate because of habitat fragmentation and change in elevation between regions. If nothing is done on our part to slow climate change, these impacts will only continue to threaten wildlife and the environments where they live.

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What Organizations Are Working to Solve This Problem?

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               There are several organizations hard at work trying to solve the problem of climate change (Climate Adaptation | US EPA, 2021). Examples of these include the Environmental Protection Agency, which also works in partnership with other organizations, both domestic and worldwide. Examples of these other groups include the CDC and the National Institutes of Health, as well as international groups such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Montreal Protocol, the MARPOL Convention, and the Global Methane Initiative (International Climate Partnerships | US EPA, 2021). The EPA Also works with education partners such as the Alliance for Climate Education, in order to inform the public about climate change and its effects. Education is critical so that people will be scientifically literate enough to be able to recognize the need for change and to work to develop solutions (Climate Change and Water Partner Organizations | US EPA, 2021).

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What Causes It?

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Climate change occurs when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth to space. This has many factors but the most impactful is that of human activity. Our expulsion of various greenhouse gasses tamper with the chemicals in the atmosphere and change the natural chemical composition leading to warming. Many greenhouse gasses occur naturally but the ones humans have increased in the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Emissions of these gases come from human activity such as deforestation. Forests are known as a “carbon sink”, which means they absorb and regulate the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. By eliminating mass amounts of a forest all that carbon is now released into the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect. Other emissions also come from livestock, since cows and sheep produce methane. And anything that burns coal, oil or gas also adds to the emission of greenhouse gasses.

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