Global warming and climate change are two different terms that have been used over the years to describe different phenomena. Global warming refers to a subsequent increase in the global average temperature (Black & Weisel 5). On the other hand, climate change refers to global climate changes due to increasing average global temperatures brought by changes in rain patterns, increased drought and heat waves. These future projections in the change of global rainfall patterns can be derived from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports over the years. The argument that the use of term global warming has been changed to climate change in current times is untrue. Scientists in the past such as Barret and Gast published a journal in 1971 entitled Climatic Change. This simply implies there is nothing new about the term climate change. Those who perpetuate for the change of the term global warming believe that climate change is a less frightening term than global warming.
Temperature increase, according to geological evidence happened 56 million years ago in the period when the Pangaea was splitting into separate continents. The main causes of temperature increase at that time were Milankovitch cycles and the Paleocene – Eocene Thermal Maximum, which is similar to the today’s warming (Johansen 9). Global temperatures rose, and the PETM warmth lasted 20,000 years before the earth could adjust and clear the CO2 in the atmosphere (Cohen & Waddell 19). Eventually, the earth adapted to the PETM because it was gradual but the warming occurring today is 10 times faster, and Mother Nature may not be able to fix it this time around.
The Eocene period lasted between 55-38 million years ago. Evidence shows that temperatures were higher than today. Vegetation was different where tropical trees over much larger ranges than today. Forms of modern mammals appeared in order to adapt to the warm climate. For example cat sized horses. During this period, there was little or no ice present. This period marks the transition from warming to cooling.
The transition from the warm phase state of the cool phase state is gradual while the transition from the cool phase state of the warm phase state is rapid. These phases have great implications of the climate. They last for about nine months, but in some cases lasted for years. During the medieval times of 950-1050 AD, the earth was warmer than it is today, for example, the North Atlantic. Evidence shows that this warming allowed the Vikings to travel far north something that was impossible before. During this period, the solar radiation was higher than usual, and there was less volcanic activity this ushered in the little ice age. The little ice age occurred between 1500 and 1650 AD. It occurred during the medieval period of warming. The causes suggested for the ice age include cyclical lows, solar radiation, ocean circulation and increased volcanic activity.
Climate change has been happening even in the past the main causes of warming were: greenhouse gasses especially carbon dioxide and methane. A reduction in their levels caused a decrease in the temperature levels. The effects of the warming were adverse and at times led to mass extinction. Even in the past carbon dioxide was highly destructive this seems to be the case even today showing a relation between carbon dioxide levels and temperature change. Changes in solar radiation are also a factor. Changes in the earth’s orbit have impacted the intensity of the solar on the earth causing prolonged periods of cold temperatures or shorter periods of warmth. This led to a lot of ice ages in the past. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is 90% certain that human activities are the main cause of global warming. Natural factors are not enough to explain the tremendous increase in temperatures. According to the Intergovernmental, a combination of the natural and human drivers best explains the changes in climate over the century.
Carbon is an element that is part of all living and non-living things, and it is always in transition. The earth’s sediments are the largest reservoir of carbon. A sub-cycle known as permafrost carbon cycle is the largest reservoir of carbon. The cycle deals with the movement of the carbon from the permafrost soils to microbes and vegetation and to the atmosphere and finally back to the permafrost soil. The carbon is released from the soil through various mechanisms such as aerobic respiration which release carbon dioxide while anaerobic respiration which releases methane. Microbial activities release carbon through respiration and warming conditions have intensified microbial decomposition. The effects may cause increased carbon dioxide levels in the in the biosphere and atmosphere leading to alteration in vegetation. Positive feedback can also occur due to a steady release of carbon dioxide and methane. When this carbon dioxide is released, it causes atmospheric concentrations to increase leading to continuous warming. Without this warming, the earth would be completely frozen.
Currently, the earth’s surface temperature is about one degree Celsius, but this seems to be increasing rapidly. Models such as the General Circulation Model have made projections about the global increase in temperature from 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius. Most models are still being developed and present significant inaccuracies. Even so the models have still been able to generate useful results. Suggestions have been made to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Industrial activities release a lot of greenhouse gases. This can be solved by incorporating the ways in which manufacturers can utilize less energy in their activities (McKibben 31). Using natural gas instead of coal and finally implementing policies that regulate the occurrences of releases of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Some people believe that this protocol will be insufficient to curb the environmental impact of carbon emissions. Political and economic factors are in conflict. Laws on carbon emission affect production activities which subsequently has an effect on the economy. A balance between the economy and the environment has to be struck. Carbon taxes have been the most effective method to discourage further carbon emissions. Some people claim that this will only damage the economy.
Carbon sinks are also another alternative to help reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. A carbon sink is any substance or material that absorbs more carbon than it emits. These reservoirs release this carbon dioxide through a process known as carbon sequestration. Examples of carbon sinks include the ocean, forests, and soils. In the past, these elements of the environment were enough to absorb the emissions in the atmosphere but with the increase in consumption of fossil fuels, we cannot depend on this sinks for the future.
Environmental conservation is a global responsibility. All countries must adhere to the laws put in the place to increase our chances of sustainability. It is our role as the current generation to ensure the continuity of the human race and ensure the sustainability of future generations.
Works Cited
Black, Brian, and Gary J. Weisel. Global Warming. Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 2010. Print.
Cohen, Stewart J, and Melissa W. Waddell. Climate Change in the 21st Century. Montréal: McGill-Queen's UP, 2009. Print.
Johansen, Bruce E. The Global Warming Desk Reference. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2002. Print.
McKibben, Bill. The Global Warming Reader: A Century of Writing About Climate Change. New York: Penguin Books, 2012. Print.
