MANILA BUSINESS COLLEGE

Alvarez St., Sta. Cruz, Manila

Borongan, Rosalina BS-Accountancy

Dela Cruz, Carmil GESTS

Rada, Patricia Jane

Reynaldo, Pearlyn Joyce

SYSTEM CHANGE, NOT CLIMATE CHANGE

A Reflection Paper
Climate change is a long-term change in temperature and weather patterns
normal of a place. It can refer to a specific location or the entire planet. Climate change
can lead to less predictable weather patterns. These unforeseen weather systems can
make it tough in regions that rely on farming to maintain and grow crops because the
expected temperature and rainfall levels can no longer be relied upon. Climate change
has also been related to those other destructive weather patterns, such as hurricanes,
floods, downpours, and winter storms that are more frequent and intense.
        
This specific change of weather patterns, in the long run, abuses the Laws of
Nature for the simple reason of an inconsistent climate that negatively affects our
planet. One example of this law is the Law of Gravity, and climate change has particular
effects to it when gravity waves develop in the atmosphere resulting from mechanisms
of destabilization, — for example on weather fronts, during storms or when air masses
stroke over mountain ranges. Occasionally they can be seen as cloud bands in the sky.
However, due to their small wavelength, they are largely "invisible" to weather prediction
and climate models. The implications of gravitational waves can only be taken into
consideration when additional special components are used in the models. Even if
gravity waves have relatively short wavelengths ranging from only a few hundred
meters to several hundred kilometers, they also significantly influence water vapor
transport as well as large-scale winds and temperature distributions. The impact is
highest in the atmosphere's upper layers. These, in fact, often have such a profound
effect on the bottom layer without giving due consideration to gravity waves, a practical
simulation of weather and climate in the atmosphere is unlikely. Gravity waves also play
a significant role in forecasting turbulence for air traffic and are an important factor in
severe weather conditions. The impact is highest in the atmosphere's upper layers.
These, in fact, often have such a profound effect on the bottom layer without giving due
consideration to gravity waves, a practical simulation of weather and climate in the
atmosphere is unlikely. Gravity waves also play a significant role in forecasting
turbulence for air traffic and are an important factor in severe weather conditions.
     
Human activity is the main cause of climate change. And according to the
documentary of Senator Loren Legarda, there are five common factors or rapid heating
of earth’s surface that lead to climate change. One of those factors is global warming. It
is not so ordinary heating in the environment resulting in too much heat in the
atmosphere. Also, it is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s
atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of
carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon, and other pollutants. 
     
Another factor is the increase in greenhouse gasses. When the greenhouse
gases increase, it will cause sudden rapid heating in the earth’s surface and it will not
only affect the environment but also the animals especially human beings. Another
factor that leads to climate change is the pollution caused by too much used of carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbons from the motor vehicles, air
conditioners, refrigerators, factories, and so on. The usage of new technologies is also
one of the factors that change the climate in every part of the world. It makes us busier
to the fact that we didn’t have enough time to care about the environment’s safety. And
lastly, because of the overpopulation and human activities, climate change is now
occurring in this world. And it has no good effect not only for the sake of our
environment but to all who live in this world. Because of climate change, we will all be
experiencing typhoons, El Niño Phenomenon, and so on that can endanger everyone’s
lives. 
     
The actions that the local government can do to address the factors that cause
climate change are to respect nature through implementing and encouraging employees
and residents of the area to stand up for environmentally friendly practices. Some of the
said practices are the following:
1. Protect key ecosystem through saving power and lessen electric consumption
like turning off the lights when it’s no longer needed, turn off the devices after
used and just turn it on when it is highly needed; through using reusable
materials like instead of paper and plastic kitchenware use washable one to
lessen garbage, and instead of plastic bags that can be torn off easily use eco-
bags; through walking and riding a bicycle instead of riding a car or any vehicle to
save up gasoline and lessen carbon dioxide; through segregating waste
according to their category and put trashes in the trash can or in the pocket
instead of throwing it anywhere; tell everybody to always clean their area and
encourage them to join any cleanup drive for the benefits of all and capture all
illegal loggers.
2. Restore key ecosystem by promoting green energy through implementing a rule
that everyone should plant trees in their backyard or their vacant lot and
encourage everyone to have growing flowers in their houses because trees,
flowers, and plants will produce oxygen for the living and absorb the carbon
dioxide in the air; and by supporting small agricultural activities which is very
helpful to the household consumption that is more efficient than purchasing
processed goods.
     
It is not yet too late to take action and change our negative habits to reduce
global warming. There are many changes we can do to prevent global warming and
climate change to save our planet. The simplest solution to reducing waste is to adapt
our production methods to our consumption patterns. The recycling process must also
be taken into account in our consumption habits. Everyone knows the usefulness of the
3 r's (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) to significantly reduce our waste and avoid
unnecessary production of new items. Do not throw away things instead learn to reuse
them properly. Also, we must stop deforestation in all forms. Do not cut down more
trees as it will only worsen the level of carbon dioxide in the air. Instead, encourage
people to plant even more trees to create a fine balance in nature.
          
Moreover, reduce the usage of energy everywhere. Do not waste electricity as it
requires the burning of fossil fuels. As a result of the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere increase rapidly and contribute to global warming. Instead,
there are environmentally friendly options like solar energy and other more. Lastly, we
can make a sustainable choice every time we need to go somewhere. We can choose a
fuel-efficient vehicle when purchasing, take public transportation if it’s available, ride a
bicycle, or walk when possible. All of these are great ways to reduce the number of
greenhouse gases that are heating our planet.