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Causes and Effects of Climate Change

Climate change is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, industrial processes, agricultural practices, and waste production. Its effects include rising global temperatures, melting ice and rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, ecosystem disruption, and negative health impacts. These changes pose significant risks to biodiversity, human health, and economic stability.

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17 views3 pages

Causes and Effects of Climate Change

Climate change is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, industrial processes, agricultural practices, and waste production. Its effects include rising global temperatures, melting ice and rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, ecosystem disruption, and negative health impacts. These changes pose significant risks to biodiversity, human health, and economic stability.

Uploaded by

justaguywhoplaysgamesforfun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CLIMATE CHANGE

Causes of Climate Change

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for energy
and transportation releases CO₂, the largest contributor to global warming.
- Methane (CH₄): Produced from livestock digestion, rice cultivation, and
landfill waste, methane is a potent greenhouse gas.
- Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Emitted from agricultural and industrial activities, as
well as combustion of organic matter and fossil fuels, it has a much greater
warming potential than CO₂.

2. Deforestation
- Cutting down forests for agriculture, logging, and development reduces
the number of trees that absorb CO₂, adding to atmospheric greenhouse
gases.

3. Industrial Processes
- Factories release various greenhouse gases and pollutants through
manufacturing, cement production, and chemical processes. Additionally,
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in older cooling systems damage the ozone
layer, contributing to warming.

4. Agricultural Practices
- Fertilizer use and livestock farming increase emissions of methane and
nitrous oxide, both powerful greenhouse gases that exacerbate warming

5. Waste Production
- Landfills and waste decomposition produce methane, while incineration
releases CO₂ and other pollutants.

Effects of Climate Change

1. Rising Global Temperatures


- Higher temperatures have led to more frequent and severe heat waves,
causing health risks and affecting biodiversity.

2. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels


- Polar ice caps, glaciers, and ice sheets are melting, which contributes to
sea level rise. This threatens coastal communities with flooding and erosion.

3. Extreme Weather Events


- Climate change intensifies hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires,
resulting in devastating economic and human impacts worldwide.

4. Ocean Acidification
- Increased CO₂ absorption by oceans makes the water more acidic,
harming marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells,
like coral and shellfish.

5. Ecosystem Disruption
- Temperature changes and habitat loss threaten species adaptation,
leading to declines in biodiversity, and altering food chains and natural
habitats.
6. Health Impacts
- Rising temperatures and poor air quality contribute to respiratory and
cardiovascular illnesses, as well as the spread of diseases like malaria and
dengue.

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