Running Head: CLIMATE CHANGE 1 CLIMATE CHANGE 1 CLIMATE CHANGE Student’s Name University Affiliation Climate Change So there has been an temperature increase on the Earth b 1 degree Farenheit with the past two centuries. Many oblivious persosn would wonder what the big deal is. The one degree being mentioned may appear negligible, but it is actually an extraordinary event in the planet’s history. The preserved and studied Earth’s climate records indicate that the average global temperature has been stable for long periods of time. Furthermore, slight changes in the temperature result in major alterations in the environment. According to scientific estimations, the environment as we now know it will not be the same in the next 10 years. We should also not forget that the environment is what we depend on fully, not the other way round. As it is, the initiatives to mitigate climate change should first begin with the actions of each and every one at a personal level. Climate change is no longer considered an emerging concern but a lurking catastrophe. This paper seeks to enlighten the reader on climate change, a Geoscience issue that has been the cause of massive research in its various aspects. The paper gains insight on the topic in the most holistic manner possible. According to other professionals in the field of geology, climate change has been termed as a significant, progressive and lasting alteration in weather’s statistical patterns, noted for periods that range from a decade to millions of ages. Basically, climate change has the potential of being the change in the weather’s average condition or its distribution. The main means that have been used by scientists in understanding the condition’s plight are theoretical and observational. More recently however, there have been improved methods of scrutinizing the situation, through the use of instrumental recordings. Nonetheless, the universally accepted definition of climate change is; the change in climate system’s statistical properties after being considered for a long period of time, where the causes are not regarded. As a constituent issue, many are unable to distinguish climate and global warming (Giddens, 2009). However, the fault cannot be entirely placed on them as the two are indeed deeply intertwined. I would therefore use this relationship between the two issues to approach both at once. It is common knowledge that climate change is one of the realest threats that our prosperity faces; this being in accordance to a tenfold of research conducted by numerous scientists. Carbon dioxide is among the pollutant gases that contribute to the deterioration of the ozone layer as well as bringing about the greenhouse effect (McKrecher, 2010). Various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation have also been noted as major causes of the progressively increasing climate change. Having stated that, it becomes clear that climate change comes about due to global ...

1. Running Head: CLIMATE CHANGE 1
CLIMATE CHANGE 1
CLIMATE CHANGE
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Climate Change
So there has been an temperature increase on the Earth b 1
degree Farenheit with the past two centuries. Many oblivious
persosn would wonder what the big deal is. The one degree
being mentioned may appear negligible, but it is actually an
extraordinary event in the planet’s history. The preserved and
studied Earth’s climate records indicate that the average global
temperature has been stable for long periods of time.
Furthermore, slight changes in the temperature result in major
alterations in the environment.

2. According to scientific estimations, the environment as we now
know it will not be the same in the next 10 years. We should
also not forget that the environment is what we depend on fully,
not the other way round. As it is, the initiatives to mitigate
climate change should first begin with the actions of each and
every one at a personal level. Climate change is no longer
considered an emerging concern but a lurking catastrophe. This
paper seeks to enlighten the reader on climate change, a
Geoscience issue that has been the cause of massive research in
its various aspects. The paper gains insight on the topic in the
most holistic manner possible.
According to other professionals in the field of geology, climate
change has been termed as a significant, progressive and lasting
alteration in weather’s statistical patterns, noted for periods
that range from a decade to millions of ages. Basically, climate
change has the potential of being the change in the weather’s
average condition or its distribution. The main means that have
been used by scientists in understanding the condition’s plight
are theoretical and observational. More recently however, there
have been improved methods of scrutinizing the situation,
through the use of instrumental recordings. Nonetheless, the
universally accepted definition of climate change is; the change
in climate system’s statistical properties after being considered
for a long period of time, where the causes are not regarded.
As a constituent issue, many are unable to distinguish climate
and global warming (Giddens, 2009). However, the fault cannot
be entirely placed on them as the two are indeed deeply
intertwined. I would therefore use this relationship between the
two issues to approach both at once. It is common knowledge
that climate change is one of the realest threats that our
prosperity faces; this being in accordance to a tenfold of
research conducted by numerous scientists. Carbon dioxide is
among the pollutant gases that contribute to the deterioration of
the ozone layer as well as bringing about the greenhouse effect
(McKrecher, 2010). Various anthropogenic activities such as
deforestation have also been noted as major causes of the

3. progressively increasing climate change. Having stated that, it
becomes clear that climate change comes about due to global
warming; a change essentially initiated by anthropogenic
activities.
The amount of research conducted and eventual results brought
forth is undoubtedly of immense quantity. But the reported
issues have not been able to be fully addressed as they are
related to aspects of environmental pollution amidst man’s
search for the basic livelihood. However, recently conducted
studies have been able to take a more narrowed path; indicating
the intensity of environmental pollution that is induced within
the household alone. The term carbon footprint is used to refer
to the amount of carbon emitted by the activities of a person or
an organization; usually measured in tons (McKrecher, 2009).
The U.S alone has turned out to have a carbon footprint of 27
tons, while the average of each individual is usually an
approximate of 5 tons. The world’s average carbon footprint is
slightly higher than that of an individual’s average, settling at
5.5 tons. The carbon footprint is arrived at by simply
conducting a survey of how energy is used in the household, the
pressure on food sources and amount of land used in doing
various things. This is a problem that can be simply addressed
by having each individual of sound mind partake in measures to
reduce all the above stated issues.
Generally, climate change is an extensive and long-term
adjustment in the conditions of weather s identified in regards
to temperature, winds, precipiration and other vital factors.
Looking at the condition from a broader scale, the equilibrium
temperature and Earth’s climate are determined by the Earth’s
rate of receiving energy from the sun and its eventual rate of
being lost into space (Morris, 2012).Climatic factors such as
ocean currents and winds are then responsible for distributing
the received energy, hence impacting the climate of different
regions. Factors with the ability of changing climate are known
as climate forcings, or better yet, forcing mechanisms. Such
factors include processes like the variation of solar radiation,

4. deviation in Earth’s orbit, mountain-building and continental
drift alongside changes isn the atmospheric concentrations of
greenhouse gases. Additionally, the rate of response to the
various climatic alterations differ in relation to the
geopgraphical location, with areas such as oceans and ice caps
having slower response rates.
These forcing factors are either internal or external. Internal
climate forcings are usually of natural occurrence as geological
processes with the climatic system, an example being the
thermohaline circulation. In the case of external forcing
mechanisms, they can be natural or anthropogenic. Examples
are solar output changes and increased greenhouse gas
emmisions respectively. However, the climate system’s
response might still be fast regardless of the fact type of forcing
factor that is triggering the process. This is to mean that there
might be an abrupt response of the climate system to the forces,
but the complete response and effects are developed and
realized over a longer period of time.
Human influence on the environment at large has been noted as
the most dominant factor that affects climate change. Scientific
consensus in relation to their studies have established that most
of the impacts on climate systems are irreversible and to a
significant extent, caused by activities of humans (Johansen,
2008).
Global warming refers to the process of progressive and
gradual increment in the atmospheric Temperature (Elsbach,
2007). This in turn brings about climate change and change in
precipitation patterns. The process is believed to have begun in
the 19th century mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as
deforestation and other natural factors. Climate change has
mainly been induced by human activities such as burning of
fossil fuels which emit greenhouse gases that bring about an
increase in carbon dioxide levels in the lower atmosphere.
Deforestation is another contributing factor to climate change.
Its result is a change in the normal air circulation. Carbon
dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase due to the imbalance

5. in circulation.
Climate chnage as a result has a number of effects both on man
and the environment at large. Rise in global temperature is the
most significant of its effects, though it varies in regions. The
arctic regions exhibit the highest evidence of this with the
continued glacier retreats and permafrost (Johansen, 2008). The
melted ice later leads to flooding of the areas around, thus
displacement of residents. The high temperatures also lead to
expansion of deserts due to increase in desertification. Global
warming which is an aftermath of climate change also brings
about increase in ocean acidity. This disrupts the aquatic
plants’ and animals’ ability to form shells and skeletons of
calcium carbonate.
A major concern in regards to human activities and their
impact to the climate system is the increased levels of emiting
Carbon dioxide to the environment. Most of the evidence on
climate change is derived from various sources that can be used
in the reconstruction of past climatic conditions. This is made
possible through the availability of complete records on surface
temperature, commencing from the 19th century. Carbon
dioxide is a major gas that initiates climate change due to its
current high concentrations in the atmosphere, a non-living
factor than contributes to the problem. The gas is produced and
absorbed through terrestrial biosphere and the ocean.
However, the carbon dioxide cycle has been immensely altered
by anthropogenic activities such as burning coal, oil, natural
gas and wood since the 18th century at the start of the industrial
revolution (Morris, 2012). It was the first greenhouse gas noted
to be accumulating according to the initial measurements taken
in the 20th century. There has been an increase in the
atmosphere level by over 30% in the recent years, prior to the
industrial revolution period when its concentration was fairly
stable, ranging at around 280ppm (Meehl, 2012).
Sustainability is of crucial importance and ought to be taken
seriously. There are various ideas and opinions on how best to
reach sustainability.Accoriding to Al Gore- a firm promoter of

6. global warming solutions, search for further insight on the issue
individually gives one the incentive, drive and will to make the
globe a better place, therefore qualifying as a possible solution
to averting the problem. Using the carbon calculator in the
respective sites is instrumental in this case, as it shows one just
how much carbon emission he or she is responsible for and what
can be done about it. We are also advised to invest in climate
solutions through any means possible. Referrering to the topic
at hand as a crisis rather than just a change magnifies the state
of what we are dealing with, therefore prompting further zeal
and need for a solution.
It is also advisable to buy hybrids as they tend to have lower
rates of carbon emission, hence lesser effect on the
environment. Using light rails has been cornfirmed as one of the
possible solution to reversing the climate change problem to a
limit that can be easily controlled and done away with
completely. Being arguably the most effective solution, we are
advised to live ‘green lives,’ in that we adopt carbon neutral
ways and reduce general carbon emissions by being green
consumers (Harmon, 2008).
Reference
Elsbach, K. D., & Pratt, M. G. (2007). 4 The Physical
Environment in Organizations. The academy of management
ANNALS, 1(1), 181-224.
Giddens, A (2009). The Politics of Climate Change.Cambridge,
UK .
Harmon, D. E. (2008). Al Gore and Global Warming: The Rosen
Publishing Group.
Johansen, B. E. (2008). The global warming combat manual:
solutions for a sustainable world: Praeger Publishers.
Matthews, H. S., Hendrickson, C. T., & Weber, C. L. (2008).
The importance of carbon footprint estimation boundaries.
Environmental science & technology, 42(16), 5839-5842.
McKercher. et al. (2010). Achieving Voluntary Reductions in

7. the Carbon Footprint of Tourism and Climate Change.Journal of
sustainable tourism 18.3: 297-317.
Meehl, G. A., Stocker, T. F., Collins, W. D., Friedlingstein, P.,
Gaye, A. T., Gregory, J. M., . . . Noda, A. (2007). Global
climate projections. Climate change, 747-845.
Morris, A. C., Nivola, P. S., & Schultze, C. L. (2012). Clean
energy: Revisiting the challenges of industrial policy.Energy
Economics