Climate Change Summary

The Earth's climate is warming due to both natural and human related factors. Global
warming and cooling has occurred many times before on our planet but it is currently in a period
of global warming caused by human activity and the six factors that affect climate. The factors
that affect climate are known as LETWAV, which stands for latitude, elevation, topography,
water, atmospheric circulation (wind), and vegetation. The main product of human activity that
contributes to the rise in global climate change is the increased amount of CO2 levels. The extra
CO2 in the atmosphere adds to the greenhouse effect by trapping more of the heat absorbed by
the water vapor in the troposphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural situation in which heat is
retained in Earth's atmosphere by Carbon Dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases. The
greenhouse effect keeps our earth warm so living things are able to survive, but because
humans are creating more carbon dioxide by clearing forests and burning fossil fuels, the global
climate is rising at a fast rate.
Because of the increase in global climate warming the sea levels are beginning to rise.
The sea levels are rising because when water warms it expands causing the seas to rise. The
ice that used to be at the poles reflects sunlight to keep the poles cool, as they are now
beginning to warm since the ice is melting. The exposed water absorbs sunlight causing the
water to warm and expand even more as well as melt the ice. These circles are called positive
feedback loops. There are more than only two positive feedback loops but the two that are
drastically effecting our climate are rising sea levels and melting ice. Besides rising sea levels
the climate change is also increasing severity in storms, and droughts. The increasing severity
in storms are being affected by climate change because as temperatures warm it leads to more
energy in the convection cells. The increasing severity of droughts, meaning a lack of rain, are
effected by climate change because as temperatures heat up it leads to less condensation
which leads to less clouds and rain. Lastly another consequence of global warming are that
climate bands are begining to shrink. The hot, wet climate bands are expanding and the cold,
dry climate bands are decreasing with the increase in temperature.
Rising sea levels, increased frequency of severe storms, and increased frequency of
droughts are impacting our world greatly. For rising sea levels one consequence is that many
houses on the coast or near a shore and are built only a few feet away from the ocean and a
little rise of the sea can have a huge impact on their life. In the "Planet in Peril" documented it
told how the Cataret islands are sinking because of the seas rising. These islands are home to
many natives (2,000 people) and the islands are the only life they know. Living off coconuts and
fish these people are being washed away and will soon have to leave their home because of the
rising sea levels. Another consequence of the sea levels rising is it causes an increase in
temperature. Since the sea levels are rising it is decreasing the amount of land on earth and
with there more sea the temperature will rise because water retains heat more than land. Along
with rising sea levels an increased frequency of severe storms and droughts are affecting many
people living on Earth. Severe storms play a role in affecting peoples homes similar to rising sea
levels. They also can cause flooding in many areas, destroying the land and life surrounded by
the people. On the other hand severe droughts can cause people to not have enough water. In
many communities such as Lake Chad in Africa the people rely on the body of water to support
their lives. They rely on the water for food, cleaning, and bathing and with severe doubts their
sustainable living is coming to an end. As the earth gets warmer moisture in the atmosphere
evaporates taking away the rain which has caused Lake Chad to decrease by 90%. This doesn't
just effect a large lake in Africa but the whole worlds living. Due to natural and human human
related factors the earth warming is having a huge impact on our planet and if things don't begin
to change soon it is unknown for how much longer our Earth will be habitable for living.