What are the causes and effects oF climate change?

Introduction

     Have you ever wondered why our planet is getting warmer? Well, I have. Some people might think we're getting closer to the sun, but they're WRONG! Read more to learn what's really happening to our Earth. 

Greenhouse Effect

    The fossil fuels that get released into the atmosphere form an invisible blanket that traps radiation from the sun and warms Earth’s surface. This is called the Greenhouse Effect. 

     Some of those greenhouse gases absorb radiation from the sun which then sends  the sun’s radiation toward Earth’s surface. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.  

Manufacturing

  Manufacturing goods and producing electricity are the largest contributors to greenhouse gases worldwide. For example, the machines used to manufacture our everyday goods mostly run on coal, oil, or gas. Some materials like plastic are made from chemicals sourced from burning fossil fuels. 

     Other industrial processes like mining can release gases as does the construction industry. Electricity is also made by burning fossil fuels which gives off carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. 

     Manufacturing other goods like cement, iron, steel, plastics, and clothes and many other goods produces a large amount of gases. 

Cutting Down Rain Forests

     Trees soak up a large amount of carbon dioxide that’s in the air, and then release the oxygen we breathe back into the air. Rain forests are so efficient at freshening our air that it’s like the planet’s air conditioner, but sadly a bunch of rain forests are being cut down or burned in order to clear land for homes and farms, or use the wood to make other products.

Wildlife 

     The warmer temperatures are affecting wildlife all over the world, but polar animals are suffering most of all because their icy habitat is melting due to the warmer temperatures. Sea ice is important to polar bears because it makes them able to hunt, raise their babies, and rest after swimming for a long time. 

    Ringed seals are another polar animal that is suffering. They make snow and ice caves to raise their pups, feed, and mate. 

    Polar animals aren’t the only ones suffering. Apes like orangutans, who live in the rain forests of Indonesia, are threatened as the rain forests where they live are being cut down and burned by bushfires.

Farming

    Climate change isn’t just affecting wildlife. It's also affecting people, but some of the people that grow our food are affected most of all. Farmers in developing countries are especially dealing with rising temperatures, more rain, floods, and droughts. 

     For example, people take for granted how much work goes into growing your tea. The environmental condition can affect the flavor of the tea. Tea needs a specific amount of rainfall to grow. 

     In Kenya, rainfall patterns are becoming less and less predictable. Usually there are droughts followed by huge amounts of rainfall. This makes it hard to grow tea, so farmers might resort to using cheap chemicals to make their crops better.

Humans

    Climate change can change the timing of insect season which can cause more diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. You can also get diseases from food and water, which can increase rates of zoonotic diseases. 

     Climate change can pollute the air, leading to breathing and heart problems especially for young and old people. Since warm weather happens earlier in the year, this can make the pollen season last longer, which can cause allergic reactions and breathing problems like asthma. 

    Climate change can cause extreme weather events like tornados, hurricanes, and wildfires which can cause mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. 

     Climate change can also worsen food quality and make it hard to find or get water, which can lead to food insecurity and increase the risk of malnutrition, and food borne illnesses.     

Conclusion 

    After all my research, I have come to believe that burning fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases which then creates the Greenhouse Effect and warms Earth’s surface. This leads to some very challenging problems that are affecting the Earth, such as food and water insecurity, extreme weather events, and threats to animals all around the world.

     In order to start solving these problems, humans need to put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We can do this by changing our habits so that we release less carbon dioxide, and by inventing new technologies that stop using fossil fuels and start reducing the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.