The Women University, Multan

Subject: Environmental Science

Assignment: Group 4
Department of English
Section: A-(BS)
Submitted to Ma’am Sehrish
Group Participants:
FATIMA TU ZAHRA 03-MORNING
MEHAK ABRAR 09-MORNING
ATTIKA 27-MORNING
ZUBAIDA 49-MORNING
EMAN ZAHRA 65-MORNING
FATIMA MUSTAFA 07-EVENING
MARYAM TARIQ 09-EVENING
AFEERA HASHIM 23-EVENING
 Climate Change

Extreme weather conditions have been on the rise across the globe
for decades. We’re experiencing hotter summers, colder winters,
wider temperature swings, rising sea levels, reductions in sea ice
levels, shrinking glaciers, increased storm activity, and more. As
the weather gets more extreme, so does the polarized debate over
climate change.

Definition:
We define climate change as follows:

Climate change is the long-term increase in the earth's average

surface temperature and the large-scale changes in global, regional,
and local weather patterns that result from that increase, caused by
a significant increase in the levels of greenhouse gases that are
produced by the use of fossil fuels.

However, since climate change is a phenomenon that takes place

over decades and even centuries, there are differing definitions for
it. Some people believe it's a totally natural occurrence, and one
that’s happened before, while others believe it's completely man-
made. To complicate matters further, another group in the middle
thinks climate change is a combination of both factors, and some
people outright reject the existence of climate change completely.

Here are some key climate change statistics gathered by NASA:

 Over the last two centuries, the global average temperature of

the earth’s surface has risen by 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit (1.18
degrees Celsius).
 Between 1993 and 2019, there was an annual loss of 279
billion tons of ice in Greenland and 148 billion tons of ice in
Antarctica, as ice sheets break off and eventually melt.
  There has been a 0.6 degree Fahrenheit (0.33 degree Celsius)
rise in the temperature of the top 100 meters of the ocean
since 1969.

These are some of the numerous examples of climate change,

which don’t include its impact upon plant, animal, and insect life.
While climate change science mostly reflects global shifts, it can
also be useful for tracking changes in smaller geographical
locations, including storms, droughts, flooding, and more.

What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

Climate change deniers frequently confuse weather and climate. If
you’ve ever heard someone say that global warming doesn’t exist
because of a recent extended cold snap that brought record low
temperatures, you know what we mean.

For the sake of clarity, here’s how we define these two terms:

 Weather: The local meteorological conditions experienced

over short periods of time, including temperature,
precipitation, wind speed, humidity, and visibility.
 Climate: The long-term average of patterns and trends in
weather, including day-to-day, year-to-year, and even longer
time periods.

Global Warming and Climate Change

The two most popular terms used to describe the earth's increasing
temperatures are global warming and climate change. These relate
to both short-term and long-term trends for both weather and
climate. While they're often used interchangeably, there's a slight
difference between them:

 Global Warming: The rising average temperature of the earth's lower

layers, including the ocean and atmosphere. Such warming occurs
from the heat being trapped in the earth's atmosphere due to
greenhouse gases.
 Climate Change: The varying environmental conditions that
influence the planet's weather patterns.

Although used in conjunction with global warming, climate change

doesn't specifically refer to warming or its causes. Thus,
environmentalists often prefer this term because of its broader
consideration of all the changes happening on the planet in addition
to rising temperatures.

Climate Change Causes

Natural Causes of Climate Change

When it comes to natural factors impacting climate change, these

three causes are frequently cited as contributors:

 Changes in Solar Radiation - The sun's rays heat the earth

regardless of changes in weather patterns that occur below. As
such, any change in the sun's radiation - either an increase or
decrease - will influence our surface temperatures.
 Greenhouse Gases - As the temperature increases, more
greenhouse gases are released into the air. This traps more heat in
the earth's atmosphere while thinning out the ozone layer, which
means less radiation can escape. It can cause a nasty cycle where
the participants feed off each other.

 Drastic Weather Changes - Climate change can also occur through

drastic weather changes. Disasters like hurricanes or floods can
cause significant damage to the surrounding environment, which in
turn can affect the climate.

Man-Made Causes of Climate Change

The most prominent man-made causes of climate change include:

 Industrialization - Increased development has led to greater

production and allocation of energy, which releases greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere in greater percentages than in the past.
 Inconsistent Emissions Controls - As technology continues to
improve, emissions control standards haven’t kept pace. This means
that more harmful greenhouse gases are being released into the air.
 Deforestation - Plants breathe in carbon dioxide, which
makes them an essential part of life on this planet. When
increasing amounts of trees are cut down without planting
new ones, it means a disproportionate amount of carbon
dioxide stays in the atmosphere and heats up the environment.
 Agribusiness - Contemporary farms send up large amounts of
carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere while
meeting the food needs of developed countries.
 Modernization - The concrete used to build roads, and the
vehicles that travel upon them, create high levels of carbon
 dioxide and exhaust fumes that contribute to higher
temperatures.

All of those causes combine to create what’s known as “The

Greenhouse Effect” where greenhouse gases prevent heat from
escaping into space, warming the planet. Greenhouse gases (many
of them man-made) feature prominently among the human causes of
climate change because the levels of those gases emitted to the
environment have increased significantly in the last few centuries.

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases are the gases that contribute directly to the
greenhouse effect. They trap heat in the earth's atmosphere, which
can trigger increases in average global temperature. Some of the
greenhouse gases include:

 Carbon Dioxide (Natural): Absorbs, retains, and radiates heat,

resulting in global warming.
 Methane (Natural): A more potent greenhouse gas than carbon
dioxide. Due to a chemical reaction, methane converts into
carbon dioxide when it comes in contact with oxygen. This
causes an increase in global temperatures.
 Nitrous Oxide (Natural): Can remain in the atmosphere for 150
years, and is about 300 times more potent than carbon
dioxide.
 Chlorofluorocarbons (Man-Made): These gases are used as
refrigerants and aerosols. When they leak into the atmosphere,
they can accumulate and contribute to the increased
greenhouse effect.
 Hydrofluorocarbons (Man-Made): These chemicals contain
fluorine and are primarily used in refrigeration. They have been
replaced by chlorofluorocarbons, but they still contribute to
global warming.
 Carbon Monoxide (Man-Made): Emitted by motor vehicles,
airplanes, ships, and industrial processes where combustion is
present.
 Nitrogen Oxide (Man-Made): A contributor to the production of
acid rain, it’s created from burning fossil fuels and industrial
processes, both of which emit nitrogen dioxide as a byproduct.
As this occurs, it then converts into nitric oxide and nitrous
oxide in the air.
It's important to note that greenhouse gases are not necessarily a
bad thing. The gases only become dangerous when they exceed
other gases in proportion to their normal levels in the atmosphere.

For example, carbon dioxide exists in nature, but our atmosphere

currently contains too much of it because of the burning of fossil
fuels.

Climate Change Effects

Climate change impacts our world in a wide variety of ways,
including:

 Weather: As weather patterns become unpredictable, it

affects food production. Also, extreme weather conditions put
people at significant risk of disease and injury.
 Plants: As the weather becomes warmer and sea levels rise,
plant life moves higher or further inland. This can result in
problems for local animal life.
 Wildlife: Changes in the environment cause changes in animal
behavior. Many animals are affected by the lack of food
sources and new predators that were previously unable to
penetrate into their territories. Consequently, animals are
forced into a position where they have to migrate or face
extinction.
 Businesses: Extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes
and tornadoes can destroy vast amounts of property. As such,
businesses suffer the losses that these tragedies bring.
 Increasing Sea Levels: As polar ice caps melt, sea levels
begin to rise. This can potentially displace millions of people
worldwide as well as destroy various ecosystems and natural
landmarks.
 Ocean Acidification: As the oceans absorb carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere, they become increasingly acidic, which
can be dangerous to coral and marine life.

How Is Climate Change Measured?

Given that climate change is something that occurs over a long
period of time, measuring it can be challenging. The evidence of
climate change relies on tracking specific metrics to measure and
monitor these changes, including (in the order of importance):
  Surface Temperature: This is the temperature of the air, land,
and water on the surface level. It is a direct indicator that
climate change has occurred. It's important because
measuring the rate of change in temperature helps scientists
project how much it will warm or cool over time.
 Sea Level Rise: While this is a slower process, melted ice
causes sea levels to rise, and monitoring that rise can help
scientists project how much the oceans will grow in size. This
is essential as rising sea levels threaten to displace millions of
people.
 Parts per Million of Greenhouse Gases: This is the
measurement of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. For
example, when scientists measure how much CO2 humans are
emitting into the atmosphere, they can better predict future
levels of global warming that will occur as a result

Can We Slow Down Climate Change?

Although there are many causes of climate change, humans play a
significant role. As such, we must do our part to slow down the
process. While climate change solutions may seem like they’re out
of our individual control, true change happens when personal
responsibility merges with collective efforts. Together, humans can
choose to make changes in our everyday lives that will help reduce
the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

 We can all work together is with the wholesale adoption of

photovoltaic (PV) systems to meet our electricity needs.
Turning to solar panels and solar energy is a great way to
reduce the amount of pollution and greenhouse gases we emit,
and it has the added benefit of helping to lower your monthly
energy bills.
 Electing people at every level of government who are
committed to passing laws and enacting policies that defeat
climate change
 Reducing the amount of single-use, disposable plastic items,
including bags, bottles, and silverware, as the production of
these cheaply-made items release high levels of greenhouse
gases
 Turning off lights and electrical appliances when they're not in
use
 Eating less meat in our diets, as agricultural meat production
is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emission
  Taking shorter showers and using water only when needed,
since unnecessary heating of water drives up energy usage.

These changes may seem small, but every effort counts. When
we work together, we can make a significant difference to
help reduce the effects of climate change.

Global Warming
Global warming is a gradual, long-term increase in the average
temperature of Earth's atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect
where gasses from various human activities, including the burning
of fossil fuels, trap heat from solar radiation.

While there are conflicting opinions on the topic, a majority of

scientists worldwide agree that global warming is very real and, if
left unaddressed, could result in devastating effects for humanity.
More than 99% of peer-reviewed scientific research acknowledges
that humans are the major cause of this problem.

Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is typically attributed to the over-accumulation
of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2),
nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) in the Earth's atmosphere.
The excess GHGs can come from a variety of sources:

 Burning Fossil Fuels: Machinery that relies on coal, natural gas, or

oil to run releases carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) into the
atmosphere.
 Deforestation: Deforestation removes the trees that act as a natural
GHG filter, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into our
atmosphere.
 Agricultural Practices: Modern farming accounts for more than 10%
of all human-produced greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to
livestock and rice cultivation.
 Consumer Goods: The energy used in the manufacturing and
transportation of consumer goods leads to increased greenhouse
gas emissions.
 Mining: Operations that rely on fossil fuels emit significant levels of
GHGs.
 Waste Disposal: When plastics and other non-biodegradable waste
decompose, it releases toxic gasses into the environment.

Effects of Global Warming

A scientific report published by the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) outlines the
serious effects of global warming and global climate change as
follows:

 Higher Temperatures: The average temperature on the Earth has

increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since
1900, and many scientists predict that this trend will continue due
to global warming.
 Rising Sea Level: Sea levels along the United States coastline are
projected to rise between 10 and 12 inches by 2050, which could
destroy islands and coastal cities.
 Extreme Weather Events: Global warming has been linked to an
increase in extreme weather events, such as floods, tornadoes, and
hurricanes, which can cause deaths, famine, and disease.
 Plant and Animal Extinction: Rising global temperatures can cause
parts of the planet to become uninhabitable for many native plant
and animal species.
 Ocean Acidification: Because of escalating carbon dioxide
emissions, oceans are becoming more acidic and harmful to marine
life.
 Dirtier Air: Hotter temperatures lead to more smog, which can
trigger respiratory problems and aggravate existing health
conditions.
 Disappearing Polar Ice: When the water frozen in polar sea ice
melts into the oceans, it can have a huge impact on rising sea levels
and speed up the heating of Earth’s atmosphere.

How to Stop Global Warming?

From adopting simple lifestyle changes to using green energy, here
are some ways people can help slow or even reverse global
warming:

 Use Renewable Energy: Using solar power, wind power, or

other alternative energy sources can reduce your carbon
footprint (and may lower your electricity bill).
 Recycle: Ensure that all waste materials, including paper,
plastics, aluminum, and glass, are sent to your local recycling
center or composted whenever possible.
 Use Less Power: Turn off lights and unplug appliances when
they're not in use.
 Opt for Sustainable Transportation: Walk, bike, carpool, invest
in an electric vehicle, or switch your daily commute to public
transportation instead of driving a vehicle solo.
Global Warming vs Climate Change
While some people use “global warming” and “climate change”
interchangeably, they are technically two different terms that
describe weather and climate and warrant their own definitions.

 Global warming is the rise in the temperature of the Earth's

atmosphere.
 Climate change is the transition from one climatic state to
another over an extended time frame – including temperature,
precipitation, and wind patterns.
 Global warming is caused by the heat-trapping gasses that
come from increased human activity.
 Climate change is caused by global warming and other
climatic shifts that happen naturally.

You can help limit the impacts of global warming by reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, cutting down on your energy consumption, and shifting
away from fossil fuels. Better still, plant trees around your neighborhood,
and join a movement that voices support for clean energy sources.