Topic: Climate Change

BEED-111/B
Date: Dec. 10, 2015
Author: Allona Jean V. Espinas

CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is the single biggest environmental and humanitarian crisis of
our time. The Earth's atmosphere is overloaded with heat-trapping carbon dioxide,
which threatens large-scale disruptions in climate with disastrous consequences.
We must act now to spur the adoption of cleaner energy sources at home and
abroad.

Problem
Climate change is a complex phenomenon, and its full-scale impacts are hard to
predict far in advance. But each year scientists learn more about how climate
change is affecting the planet and our communities, and most agree that certain
consequences are likely to occur if current trends continue.
In addition to impacting our water resources, energy supply, transportation,
agriculture, and ecosystems, the United States Global Change Research Program
concludes that climate change also poses unique challenges to human health, such
as:

Significant increases in the risk of illness and death related to extreme heat
and heat waves are very likely.

Some diseases transmitted by food, water, and insects are likely to increase.

Certain groups, including children, the elderly, and the poor, are most
vulnerable to a range of climate-related health effects.

These impacts will result in significant costs to our families and the economy
Climate change will have a significant impact on the sustainability of water
supplies in the coming decades. A new analysis, performed by consulting firm Tetra
Tech for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), examined the effects of
global warming on water supply and demand in the contiguous United States. The
study found that more than 1,100 counties -- one-third of all counties in the lower
48 -- will face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century as the result of global
warming. More than 400 of these counties will face extremely high risks of water
shortages.

The Basic Carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants are
collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's
heat and causing the planet to warm up. Although local temperatures
fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global temperature
has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Scientists say that

unless we curb the emissions that cause climate change, average U.S.
temperatures could be 3 to 9 degrees higher by the end of the century.
The United States Global Change Research Program (which includes the
Department of Defense, NASA, National Science Foundation and other
government agencies) has said that "global warming is unequivocal and
primarily human-induced" and that "climate changes are underway in the
United States and are projected to grow."

Solutions
Here's the good news: technologies exist today to make cars that run cleaner and
burn less gas, modernize power plants and generate electricity from nonpolluting
sources, and cut our electricity use through energy efficiency. The challenge is to be
sure these solutions are put to use.
NRDC is tackling global warming on two main fronts cutting pollution and
expanding clean energy.
Transitioning to a clean energy economy will bring new jobs and reduce air
pollution. We cant afford to wait. Solving global warming will improve our lives by
cleaning up air pollution while investing in clean energy, green jobs and smart
energy solutions that get the U.S. economy moving again. We need to drive smarter
cars, save money with energy efficient homes and offices, and build better
communities and transportation.
We can each play an important role in stopping climate change. Unfortunately,
there is a lot of confusion about climate change. You can help by being a voice for
reason and common-sense. For detailed, point-by-point rebuttals to global warming,
Climate change is changing our economy, health and communities in diverse ways.
Scientists warn that if we do not aggressively curb climate change now, the results
will likely be disastrous.
Purpose
my purpose why I choose to write about Climate Change for us to know what is
really climate change
and us to be aware Climate change even though Climate change is a normal
occurrence - there have been tens of thousands of them in our past! Climate change
is normal but It is pretty stupid to think that human beings are causing this
particular climate change and not any of the other half million climate changes in
our past. Bad news sells the news - no Cold War to fear - create a new fear - Climate
Change!