Title:
Climate Change and its Impacts Around the World Including Hurricanes
Abstract:
Cohesive Thesis Statement:
I am studying how climate change increases global warming through CO2, CH4, and other gases producing a greenhouse effect worldwide because I conclusively want to understand its impact on rising temperatures in ocean waters affecting hurricanes. If rising temperatures in the ocean through global warming increase hurricane strength what effect will this have once sea level rise occurs to its maximum along the United States coastal region?
Objective:
The effects of greenhouse gases in global warming are not limited to the atmosphere and include the warming of oceans, the environment, the economy, intensification of hurricanes, and climate change through the melting of the Earth’s polar regions. The objective of this study was to show how climate change through global warming impacts all facets of the Earth to strengthen hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean regions.
Methods:
The research question was formulated by reviewing many articles and books on the subject of climate change. Studies reviewed were found mostly through Unity Environmental University Online Library, Google Scholar, Google search, books, Unity and Unity Environmental University studies, and scientific journal resources that were peer-reviewed in most cases.
Results:
The findings indicated that human development of greenhouse gases was contributing to climate change through global warming parts per million of CO2 was 416 and the Earth’s temperature had risen 0.08 Celcius per decade since 1880 (Lindsay, 2023). Deforestation is the leading cause of global warming because there are not enough trees to intake enough emissions of CO2 gases worldwide to make an impact. Environmental and Agricultural degradation is an impact of global warming and as the temperatures rise new food types will have to be considered in order to plant crops that will be efficient in climate change. Ocean temperatures are impacted by global warming and this will continue to melt the Earth’s ice pole regions. Category 4 and 5 hurricanes since the mid-1970s have become more frequent as a direct result of climate change through the warming of the oceans. Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico along the Florida coastline have shown a direct link to climate change through El Nino in frequency and strength associated with climate change affecting sea turtle nests.
Conclusion:
Methods through geoengineering of removing CO2 from the atmosphere and expunging carbon dioxide from the oceans is a good start to turn climate change around. Human aspects through politics on laws of greenhouse gas emissions and local response of reducing the carbon footprint will also tone down global warming and climate change.
Introduction:
CO2, CH4, and other atmospheric greenhouse gases that are trapped in the atmosphere produce a warming of the planet that increases hurricane strength and potential (Dessler, 2016). Ice melts at the Earth’s poles have produced a sea level rise and will eventually cause storm surges to become more prolific along the coastlines when hurricanes strike (Dessler, 2016) (Cornwall, 2018). Deforestation decreases the amount of carbon intake and therefore can’t handle the increased carbon output by manufacturing and other processes that humans have developed over time (Dessler, 2016) (Ayaka, 2021). This has produced a disruption in the ecological, environmental, and climatological scale of the earth’s feedback loops to overcome global warming (Dessler, 2016).
Parts per million of CO2, CH4, and other greenhouse gases continue to rise because of human activities such as manufacturing and energy consumption (Reay, 2010) (Ayaka, 2021). The complex system of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and forests has not been able to overcome these parts per million rise of greenhouse gases (Dessler, 2016). Political undertakings have come into play to try and reverse climate change, but it can only do so much considering the amount of time in the lifecycle of CO2 (Ayaka, 2021). The problem is when oceans warm in hurricane-prone regions it produces stronger hurricanes (Hersher, 2022) (Holland, 2014). Warming of the ENSO helps drive hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico to be stronger as shown in statistical research done at Unity Environmental Wildlife class on studies of sea turtles and climate (DE/HL-22-Oct_MATH401-01, 2022) (Jewson, 2023) (NOAA, 2019). Sea level rise from the Earth’s melting north and south poles will combine with climate change through the warming of the Earth to produce hurricanes that strike deadly force on coastlines through higher-than-normal storm surges (Cornwall, 2018) (Ugwu Et al., 2023).
Discussion:
Burning of fossil fuels such as CO2 and CH4 helps to produce a greenhouse effect across the world. Studies such as 2021-WN2A-5W_ENVS201-06 brought forth the ideology that climate change through the burning of fossil fuels increases world temperature through a greenhouse effect. In turn, this warms ocean waters, and sea levels rise through the melting of ice caps to increase hurricane intensity. For areas such as New Orleans, which is under sea level, this will be a disaster worse than Hurricane Katrina once the full ice cap melting occurs (Dessler, 2016).
In 2021-WN1A-5W_ESCI101-03 studies of sea level rise and cyclones (Similar to American Hurricanes) across Bangladesh developed massive flooding attributed to climate change. Even though protections such as barrier walls have been developed cyclones continue to bring flooding because of global warming ice melts to increase sea level rise (Cornwall, 2018). This is due to the decrease in forest regions and other normal earth attributes that would intake the carbon. Also, the large amount of fossil fuel burning is too much for the Earth to retain and therefore must remain in the atmosphere to increase temperatures worldwide on Earth and ocean waters to impact hurricane strength (Dessler, 2016) (Holland, Bruyere, 2012).
In DE/HL-22-Oct_MATH401-01 learned that El Nino through climate change develops patterns that contribute to strong Hurricane Michael and Ian along the Gulf Coast of the United States (NOAA, 2019) (Hersher, 2022). ENSO El Nino Southern Oscillation was found to be increased by climate change using statistical data to predict the outcome. This was performed at Unity Environmental University in week five of DE/HL-22-Oct_MATH401-0 as a project. Having some meteorology background from the University of Kansas in 2008 was able to use that information to devise a way to calculate ocean warming versus hurricane intensity affecting loggerhead turtles. This information will fit well with the climate change project in this class and indicates that fossil fuel burning is affecting the ENSO temperatures in the ocean (DE/HL-22-Oct_MATH401-01, 2022) (Jewson, 2023) (Salarieh, Ugwu, Salman, 2023).
The environmental and economic effects of climate change can be felt across the globe through the rising cost of food, the destruction of crops by flooding and storms created by climate change. Human destruction of forests results in the Earth not able to handle CO2 and other gasses associated with global warming and climate change. Without politicians actively seeking new provisions to overcome climate change food production will be a problem worldwide and could turn into a mass starvation event. In turn, this information shows how the environment and economics are affected by climate change worldwide and would be a good fit for this project proposal on how climate change affects the world environment, economics, and hurricanes (Ayaka, 2021).
Methane is a global-warming gas that is used in fossil fuels. CH4 is eighty times greater than CO2 when considering its potential in the climate change greenhouse effect. However, its lifetime is much shorter than CO2. It has a more robust effect in the short term on ocean water warming than CO2. However, methane is produced through landfills wastewater, and wetland aerobic activities. CH4 can also be found in the ocean and is a leading contributor to the warming of the oceans in its short lifetime producing a catastrophic effect on climate change effects worldwide and a great lead into this project proposal for climate change and its impacts around the world including hurricanes (Reay, Smith, 2010).
Based on “Extreme hurricane rainfall affecting the Caribbean is mitigated by the Paris Agreement goals” states there is a relationship between a 1-degree Celsius temperature rise and intense precipitation associated with hurricanes. I hypothesize that an increase in temperature will produce stronger hurricanes and increase rainfall potential. (Vosper, 2020). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)?
Based on “MEASURING THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC POLICIES ON CO2 EMISSIONS: WAYS TO ACHIEVE GREEN ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE POST-COVID-19 ERA” states there is a relationship between macroeconomics and climate change through CO2 emissions. I hypothesize that economics through TMP can overcome CO2 and other gas emissions associated with climate change (Huang, 2023). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)? However, tightening monetary policies (TMP) showed a decrease in carbon emissions when it is put into policy procedure by the governing bodies. In the case of growth monetary policy, the ecology was harmed, and carbon emissions were increased. This data is supported in that most countries follow the PMG rather than TMP (Huang, 2023).
Based on “The environmental consequences of the climate-driven agricultural frontier” which states that agricultural areas of the world which are underdeveloped could be put to use in the global warming era. I hypothesize that using these areas of the world for agricultural processes will not help the environmental process, because too many resources would need to be used and this would cause ecological distress (Hannah, 2020). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)?
Based on “Public understanding of climate change-related sea-level rise” states that citizens in New Zealand overestimate the sea level rise expected by 2100. I hypothesize that the people of New Zealand will mitigate sea level rise because of fear that portions of their country will be underwater in the future. (Priestley, 2021). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)?
The “Amplification of Winter Sea surface temperature response over East China Seas to global warming acceleration and slowdown” states there is a relationship between the ocean temperature in the East China Sea and global warming. I hypothesize that greenhouse gas is attributed to the increase and decrease of ocean temperatures in the East China Sea associated with global warming (Tan, 2020). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)?
Based on “Extreme hurricane rainfall affecting the Caribbean is mitigated by the Paris Agreement goals” states there is a relationship between a 1-degree Celsius temperature rise and intense precipitation associated with hurricanes. I hypothesize that an increase in temperature will produce stronger hurricanes and increase rainfall potential. (Vosper, 2020). This is shown in my research question how do greenhouse gasses drive climate change to bring forth global warming which affects the environment, economy, weather, ocean temperatures, ice melt at poles, ENSO, and hurricane strength (Adams 2023)?
Conclusion:
Thesis:
I am studying how climate change increases global warming through CO2, CH4, and other gases producing a greenhouse effect worldwide because I conclusively want to understand its impact on rising temperatures in ocean waters affecting hurricanes. If rising temperatures in the ocean through global warming increase hurricane strength what effect will this have once sea level rise occurs to its maximum along the United States coastal region?
Recommendation:
Reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gases will contribute to lower Earth and water temperatures worldwide through political laws that should be put in place. Renewable energy sources and people living in a greener environment. Geoengineering research should be put in place such as CO2 being removed from the atmosphere and oceans. Geoengineering is costly but not removing the CO2 from oceans and the atmosphere will be even costlier when recovering from hurricanes of extreme magnitudes caused by climate change.
In order to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gases across the world we must turn to renewable energy by “phasing out fossil fuel power over the next few decades (Dessler, 2016).” This must be done through political policy “The Fourth National Climate Assessment of the International Panel of Climate Change’s recent report made it clear that if we do not aggressively cut emissions now we will jeopardize public health and safety as well as our economic and national security (Ayaka, F. (2021).” This can be done by using “geoengineering technologies as options in the climate change policy portfolio (Moller, 2020).” If the reduction of greenhouse gases is not significantly reduced then air temperature will continue to rise as seen in 2020 as indicated in the source that follows “surface air temperature in 2020 was 1.76 °F (0.98 °C) above the twentieth-century average, making 2020 the second warmest year ever, followed by 2019 (Salarieh Et al, 2023).” Hurricane intensities have also shown a trend from the 1970s until now “We conclude that since 1975 there has been a substantial and observable regional and global increase in the proportion of Cat 4–5 hurricanes of 25–30 % per °C of anthropogenic global warming (Holland Et al, 2014).”
Future Directions and/or Potential Next Steps Were This Work to Continue.
Future directions of this work would move into the realm of CH4, NO, CO2, and NO3 studies to determine how these variables help in intensifying hurricanes, wind vortices on downdraft soil features to produce wind damage, and develop tornadoes. Currently have developed a way to forecast hurricanes wind vortices, and tornadoes using CH4 and nitrates and the model has been copyrighted by the Library of Congress. Even to the point of calling the National Weather Service in Memphis Tennessee to forecast a tornado two days in advance with confirmation of accuracy. The next steps would be to take measurements in the field and use this as a paper in my master's class at Unity Environmental University.
References:
Annotated Bibliography:
Adams, W. (September 27, 2023) Opinion.
Ayaka, F. (2021). Climate Change: Environmental and Economic Effects (1st ed., pp. 1-45). Nova Science Publishers Inc. https://eds-s-ebscohost-com.proxy1.unity.edu/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzI3MzU1MDdfX0FO0?sid=e599c998-4131-423e-ac92-76bed071e727@redis&vid=2&hid=/&format=EB
This source was chosen to describe how climate change destroys the economic and environmental position of the Earth. Through lawmaker's eyes, it will progress the research question in economics and environmental discernment of climate change. The research indicates how climate change is seen through lawmakers’ eyes to conquer global warming.
Cornwall, W. (2018, March 1). As sea levels rise, Bangladeshi islanders must decide between keeping the water out—Or letting it in. Science. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://www.science.org/content/article/sea-levels-rise-bangladeshi-islanders-must-decide-between-keeping-water-out-or-letting
This source was chosen to understand the sea level rise from ice melting at the Earth’s poles and how it affects coastal areas during hurricane storm surges. Flooding occurs well outside of storm surge areas because of heavy rainfall associated with these tropical systems. This will develop further my research question about how climate change through global warming helps hurricanes produce higher storm surges because of sea level rise.
DE/HL-22-Oct_MATH401-01. (November 3, 2022). Math 401 Final Project. Retrieved from:
https://unity.instructure.com/courses/3597842/assignments/38906011?module_item_id=89143153
This source was chosen to work well with the research question by showing statistical warming of oceans through ENSO creates stronger hurricanes. This was a class project in Advanced Statistics at Unity Environmental University. This will advance my research question about ENSO and how it is manipulated by climate change to increase hurricane strength.
Dessler, A. (2016). Introduction to Modern Climate Change (2nd ed., pp. 44-259). Cambridge University Press. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=YZmECgAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PR2
This source was chosen because it shows how modern climate change affects forests, feedback loops, oceans, weather, the environment, ice melt at poles, and hurricanes through fossil fuel burning and other avenues that impact global warming. This will advance my research question on how climate change affects these avenues to produce devastation to the earth and succinct the research question.
Hannah, L., Et al. (January 13, 2020). The environmental consequences of climate-driven agricultural frontier. Retrieved from:
Hersher, R. (2022, September 29). Climate change makes storms like Ian more common. Chinese American Forum, 1-2. From: Climate change makes storms like Ian more common.: EBSCOhost (unity.edu)
This source was chosen because it shows how tropical cyclones similar to Hurricane Ian will frequently develop in the global warming era. It works well with my research question about how climate change strengthens hurricanes across the Gulf of Mexico and other tropical cyclone regions.
Holland, G., Et al (2014). Recent intense hurricane response to global climate change. Climate Dynamics, 42(3-4), 618-625. From: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-013-1713-0
Huang, W. Et al. (March 3, 2023). MEASURING THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC POLICIES ON CO2 EMISSIONS: WAYS TO ACHIEVE GREEN ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE POST-COVID-19 ERA. Retrieved from:
https://worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S2010007822400103
This source was chosen because of its ability to indicate how the prevalence of tropical systems has developed in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coastal regions since 1975 because of global warming. This works well with the research question of how global warming strengthens hurricanes.
Jewson, S. (2023). Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change Global Landfall Frequency Projections Derived from Knutson et al. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 1085-1104. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-22-0189.2 https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.proxy1.unity.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=5a77a967-e4de-43e2-a92b-78ac520f67de%40redis
This source was chosen because it shows how tropical cyclones like Hurricane Ian will frequently develop in the global warming era. It works well with my research question about how climate change strengthens hurricanes across the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean regions.
NOAA (2019, April 19). Hurricane Michael upgraded to a Category 5 at time of U.S. Landfall. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/hurricane-michael-upgraded-to-category-5-at-time-of-us-landfall
Peat, R. (March 12, 2018). Carbon Dioxide is a Cooling Gas According to NASA. Retrieved from:
https://coldclimatechange.com/carbon-dioxide-is-a-cooling-gas-according-to-nasa/
Priestley, R., Et al. (July 9, 2021). Public understanding of climate change-related sea-level rise.Retrieved from:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0254348
This source was chosen because it indicates a government agency speaking on how strong Hurricane Michael was in a climate change era. It speaks volumes of how global warming has contributed to producing stronger hurricanes and works well with my research question on how climate change strengthens hurricanes.
Reay, D., Et al (2010). Methane and Climate Change (1st ed., p. 202). Earthscan. https://eds-s-ebscohost-com.proxy1.unity.edu/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzMzMzA0Nl9fQU41?sid=cbad0ed8-9b63-47e3-99d0-042b07eeac69@redis&vid=2&hid=/&format=EB
This source was chosen to contribute to the research question by showing how global warming is advancing through greenhouse gasses such as CH4 which is eighty times stronger than CO2 to impact ecological and environmental processes. This will work well with my research question about how climate change is brought on by human activities through greenhouse gas release.
Salarieh, B., Ugwu, I. A., & Salman, A. M. (2023, July 9). Impact of changes in sea surface temperature due to climate change on Hurricane Wind and storm surge hazards across US Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions - sn applied sciences. SpringerLink. Retrieved from:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-023-05423-7
This source was chosen to contribute to the research question by showing how climate change through global warming can impact the strength of hurricanes via ocean water temperature rise. This will advance my research question about how climate change strengthens hurricanes via global warming and ocean temperature rise.
Tan, H., Et al. (April 9, 2020). Amplification of Winter Sea surface temperature response over East China Seas to global warming acceleration and slowdown. Retrieved from:
Vosper, E., Et al. (May 13, 2020). Extreme hurricane rainfall affecting the Caribbean is mitigated by the Paris Agreement goals.
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab9794/pdf