Climate Change and Biological Impacts Essay Example

(What is Climate Change?, 2014). Despite this consensus, some individuals argue against its existence by claiming that natural weather variations are not connected to human activities.

Climate change deniers frequently argue that the alterations witnessed on Earth are a result of natural phenomena and fluctuations, suggesting a lack of connection or significance between human actions (What is Climate Change?, 2014). According to Collomb (paragraph 1), some skeptics may be swayed by "corporate interests". It is claimed that particular individuals in the United States refuse to accept the notion of climate change as a means to safeguard corporate interests and sustain economic expansion. Acknowledging climate change and its link to human activities could conceivably lead to stricter regulations for industries, particularly those involved in fossil fuels.

(Collumb, 2014)

Natural Causes

This article examines the diverse natural elements that contribute to climate change. It clarifies that alterations in the Earth's orbit and tilt, volcanic activity, solar radiation, movements of crustal plates, El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon, and specific greenhouse gases all have an impact on the planet's climate. For instance, one way in which the Earth's orbit and tilt affect different regions is by influencing the amount of sunlight they receive. During winter, certain latitudes are exposed to more sunlight compared to summer.

Due to the increase in temperature, the northern latitudes experience a rise in water vapor in the atmosphere, resulting in more snowfall and cooler summers. This surplus of water vapor creates favorable conditions for the formation of glaciers and ice caps. However, changes in tilt and orbit can have the opposite effect.

The book Causes of Climate Change (2016) explains that climate change is influenced by natural factors. While dormant volcanoes

have little effect on the climate, their eruptions release substances such as dust, particulates, ash, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. These substances can remain in the air for up to two years and potentially block sunlight while also trapping heat and other elements like bacteria. This event initially causes a cooling effect similar to what Indonesia experienced following the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1816, resulting in the absence of a summer season.

According to Causes of Climate Change (2016), the event had a notable effect on both the United States and Canada. However, the impact of solar radiation on climate change is minimal due to the slight fluctuation in heat emitted by the sun. The extent of heat released in certain areas is determined by factors like sunspots.

Obstructing the release of heat nearby, increased sunspots result in a decrease in temperatures. However, this heat is subsequently transferred to other parts of the sun, causing their warming. The occurrence of sunspots fluctuates approximately every 11 years (Causes of Climate Change, 2016). In addition, climate change is influenced by the movement of crustal plates which leads to shifts in landmasses. Nonetheless, these movements may be insignificant or not easily perceptible as land does not simply drift away.

The impact of the changes is felt in the air flow and its pattern, including that of El Nino-Southern Oscillation. El Nino, a system in the Pacific Ocean that affects global weather, is also affected by these changes. However, as these systems weaken, warmer water extends farther than usual, resulting in higher temperatures in both the water and air (Causes of Climate Change, 2016). One major factor contributing

to this temperature increase is greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are composed of nitrous oxide, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons. The regulation of greenhouse gases poses a challenge due to their origins from both natural and human-related sources.

The occurrence of gases can be natural or artificial. Some gases can be chemically or physically controlled, while others rely on natural processes to maintain balance (Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet, 2018).

Human Causes

In the past two centuries, humans have primarily contributed to a rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by over one-third compared to pre-Industrial Revolution levels. Industrialization has led to an increase of carbon dioxide from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million. This increase is a result of burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, as well as deforestation for agriculture and urban development.

Trees and other plants play a crucial role in regulating carbon dioxide by absorbing it and converting it into sugar and oxygen for their survival. However, deforestation decreases the planet's ability to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet, 2018).

Effects on Ecosystems

Ecosystems vary globally, with some being more fragile and vulnerable than others. Climate change leads to various issues such as rising sea levels, increased risks of fires and storms, altered rainfall patterns, and a shift towards warmer and drier conditions (Markham, 1996, p. 179).

Markham (1996, p.183) states that an ecosystem's survival depends on its ability to adapt to and withstand changes. Human-induced stressors can also affect the resilience of ecosystems. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conducted a study which shows that climate

changes have implications for plant photosynthesis, respiration, and organic matter decomposition. This means that forests may be in danger of deforestation and loss of plant life, while non-forested areas might experience the opposite effect.

Effects on Biodiversity

Scientists have analyzed data and studied the patterns of plants and animals in relation to climate changes to determine the impacts on biodiversity. The data has revealed alterations in climate and the timing of biological events during that period. Animals migrate and plants flower in sync with these climate changes. As temperatures rise and areas stay warmer for longer periods, plants and animals must adapt for their survival. Some species will need to relocate to other regions to ensure their survival.

The migration of a species from one region to another can result in the extinction of that species in one area while being introduced to another. This can have significant effects on ecosystems and their ability to endure, particularly if they rely on the presence of that species for stability. However, just migrating is not enough to ensure the survival of a species; it must also adjust to its new ecosystem in order to thrive. Similarly, the new ecosystem must maintain balance and prevent being overwhelmed by the new resident, which could lead to its collapse. Certain species, like frogs, are at a higher risk of extinction because they struggle with both effective migration and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. As climates change, species will undergo evolutionary changes in order to improve their chances of survival through modifications in inherited traits.

(McCarty, Wolfenbarger, ; Wilson, 2009) Humans are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Extreme temperatures can have a negative

impact on human health by causing thermal stress. Research has shown that there is a connection between heatwaves and increased mortality rates, especially among elderly individuals who may struggle with regulating their body temperature, particularly women (McMichael, Hales, ; Woodruff, 2006, p. 861). Moreover, climate change directly affects food availability as it changes land conditions. Droughts or floods resulting from climate change can lead to significant crop and livestock losses.

Water occurrences, such as flooding, can also result in disease introduction. The presence of warm and moist environments promotes the growth of different bacteria. Alterations in ecosystems that humans depend on can have consequences for their daily lives and survival. Additionally, climate change affects both land and marine environments (McMichael, Hales, ; Woodruff, 2006).

The melting ice caps have caused the sea levels to rise, leading to warmer waters and increased acidity in the oceans. This increase in acidity is evident through pH level drops and coral bleaching. The anglerfish, a species that prefers cooler waters, must now either inhabit deeper ocean regions or migrate to cooler areas. Along certain sections of Australia's coastline, there has been a notable reduction in kelp plants, as well as specific reef dwellers and herbivores. Consequently, three crucial plant species that shape habitats are currently facing a decline.

The importance of these species cannot be overstated, as they play a critical role in providing habitats and nutrients within ecosystems. Without them, fish and other sea creatures are at risk from predators and lack adequate food sources. They must actively seek suitable habitats to survive. These ecosystems rely on the contribution of every organism within them to maintain balance and stability (Wernberg, et

al., 2011).

Reversibility

Another factor that sparks debate about climate change is its potential for being reversed.

Even within the scientific community, there are differing views and difficulties reaching a consensus when addressing climate change. Some argue that climate change is inevitable due to natural processes, suggesting that there is little that can be done to mitigate it (What is Climate Change?, 2014).

In an article published on The Carbon Underground, the author supports the idea of reversing climate change by reducing carbon levels, especially in the soil, to pre-industrial era levels using a specific formula.

The process of changing or undoing the damage caused by climate change may take a significant amount of time, as scientists speculate. However, no specific timeframe or number of years is given.

Various studies have produced different results, as seen in research published in Long-Term Climate Change Commitment and Reversibility: An EMIC Intercomparison, which depend on the controls used in simulations.

Despite overall satisfactory results and long-term stability, there is uncertainty regarding the commitment to implementing necessary changes for maintaining these results. People's reluctance to accept climate change as real makes it difficult to convince them to implement measures for change.

Conclusion

Climate change impacts the entire planet, affecting both land-dwelling and deep-sea species. According to Minakshi ; et al. (2015), climate change, along with human dispersal, serves as the main driver of shifts in the distribution of beneficial and harmful species such as crops, livestock, wild species, pests, predators, and pathogens. The survival of a species hinges on its adaptability.

Climate change is greatly influenced by carbon dioxide, which presents a difficult task to remove it from the environment. The contribution of human activities to carbon dioxide levels

in the atmosphere and soil is substantial. While achieving complete reversal may pose challenges, it is crucial for countries to prioritize preventing future extremes, regardless of financial economics.