1.13 Activity: Investigate the causes of climate change

Climate change is cause by both natural and manmade influences. Climate change occurs naturally by geological of volcanic activity, and changes in the amount of solar radiation causing fluctuations in global temperatures and climate patterns, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems and human societies. Secondly, considerable evidence of attributing anthropogenic influence to climate change has long been gathered since the Third Assessment Report (TAR) by IPCC. These evidence were based on the global increase in the earth system and other variables. The human activities release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, which trap heat and lead to an increase in the Earth's temperature. The main human activities responsible for GHG emissions include burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and intensive agricultural practices are explained below by sectors.

1. Energy, burning Fossil Fuels: The burning of coal, oil, and gas for energy is the primary source of GHG emissions. These activities release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which accumulates over time and leads to an increase in global temperatures. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), burning fossil fuels is responsible for around 73.2% of global GHG emissions.

2.Deforestation: Deforestation, primarily for agricultural purposes and the production of timber, is responsible for around 10% of global GHG emissions. Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, and when they are cut down or burned, the carbon they have stored is released into the atmosphere.

3. Intensive Agricultural Practices, forestry and land use: The use of synthetic fertilizers, animal waste, and other agricultural practices also contribute to GHG emissions. These practices release nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas that is responsible for around 6% of global GHG emissions. Other land use activities including forest all together amount to 18.4%

4. Industrial Processes: Certain industrial processes, such as cement production and the production of steel and aluminum, also release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. These processes are responsible for around 6,2% of global GHG emissions.



Comments

Post a Comment