STS Course

Week 16-17: Climate Change and Impacts to Society

1st Semester, S.Y. 2022-2023
 CONTENTS

1 What is Climate Change?

2 Causes of Climate Change

3 Consequences of Climate Change

4 Dealing with Climate Change
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

⮚ Explain climate change and Identify its causes;

⮚ Assess the adverse effects of climate change on the environment

and society;

⮚ Promote the significance of disaster preparedness in the face of

natural disasters;

⮚ Discuss the value of conserving and preserving the environment to

address the impacts of climate change on society.
What is Climate?
⮚ Climate is the average daily weather for an extended
period of time at a certain location.
⮚ Weather reflects short term conditions of
atmosphere, it can change from minute-to-minute,
hour-to-hour, day-to-day and season-to-season.
Climate is the average of weather over time and
space.
⮚ It consists of many kinds of weather events,
their periodicities, intensities, and nature of
dynamism.
⮚ When we talk about climate change, we actually
understand more than the literal changes of weather
events over the time and space of that climate.
 Climate Change

⮚ Climate change is a term that refers to major changes in

temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for decades or longer.
Ex., changes in ocean current, melting of ice, and loss of biodiversity are included in
climate change; they are not discussed as conventional events of weather.
⮚ By climate change, we understand detrimental effects in environment
– emission of pollutants, temperature rise, precipitation change, sea level rise, flooding,
intensified cyclones, abrupt frequency of events, ozone layer depletion, biodiversity loss,
vegetation change, and drought – almost all negative impacts.

According to Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Climate
change refers to any change in the climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a
result of human activity
2
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change, is caused by both natural events and human
(anthropogenic) activities. Scientists now agree that most of the
global warming today have been caused by human activities.
HUMAN (ANTHROPOGENIC) SOURCES OF GHGs
 SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES

Greenhouse Gas Natural Sources Human-Induced Sources

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) ▪ Soils (biological processes) ▪ Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for:
▪ Ocean - power/energy generation
- manufacturing
- industrial processes
- fuel for transportation
▪ Land-use changes, deforestation
Methane (CH4) ▪ Wetlands ▪ Flooded rice agriculture
▪ Termites ▪ Livestock production
▪ Ocean ▪ Waste management system (landfills,
etc.)
Nitrous Oxides ▪ Tropical soils (wet forests) ▪ Nitrogen-based fertilizers and
▪ Ocean chemicals
▪ Acid production processes, other
industrial processes
▪ Combustion processes in vehicles

CFCs, HFCs, PFCs, ▪ None ▪ Coolants

SF6 ▪ Sealants
▪ Insulations
Greenhouse Gas Emission

⮚ Since the industrial revolution began in 1750 human activities

have contributed substantially to climate change by adding
CO2 and other heat trapping gases to the atmosphere. These
greenhouses gas emissions have increased the greenhouse
effect causing Earth’s surface temperature to rise
Greenhouse gas concentrations increasing
FACTORS THAT CAUSE EARTH’S CLIMATE
TO CHANGE MANY TIMES

I. Variations in the sun’s energy reaching earth

II. Changes in the reflectivity of earth’s atmosphere and

surface

III. Changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the amount

of heat retained by earth’s atmosphere.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT

- refers to rise in global temperature due to the process by which the gases in the atmosphere trap
the heat coming from the sun that is re-radiated by the earth’s surface. Because of how they warm
our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases.
 Most greenhouses look like a
small glass house. Greenhouses are
used to grow plants, especially in
the winter. Greenhouses work by
trapping heat from the sun. The
glass panels of the greenhouse let
in light but keep heat from
escaping. This causes the
greenhouse to heat up, much like
the inside of a car parked in
sunlight, and keeps the plants
warm enough to live in the cool
seasons.

How does the greenhouse effect work?

- without the greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average surface
temperature would be some 30°C colder or approximately -15°C and
possibly not warm enough to sustain life.
Unfortunately, humans are affecting atmospheric greenhouse gas
concentrations by introducing new sources or by interfering with natural
processes that destroy or remove GHGs.
⮚ Earth’s temperature depends on the balance between energy entering
and leaving the planet’s system.

⮚ When incoming energy from the sun is absorbed by the Earth system, earth
warms.

⮚ When the sun’s energy is reflected back into space, earth avoids warming.

⮚ When absorbed energy is released back into space, earth cools.

⮚ Many factors both natural and human can cause changes in earth’s energy
balance.
Impact of Human Beings

▶ It is very likely that most of the climate change in the current era is the result of
human activities.

▶ Humans are increasingly influencing the climate and the earth’s temperature by
burning fossil fuels, cutting down rainforests and farming livestock.

Human activities have increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the

atmosphere.

These gases trap heat and cause the Earth to warm.

▶ These human activities release large amounts of CO2 (which is the primary
greenhouse gas) in addition to those naturally occurring in the atmosphere,
increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.
▶ Scientists have known that CO2 is one of the main greenhouse gases of
importance to Earth’s energy balance.

▶ Since CO2 is already in the atmosphere naturally,

why are EMISSIONS from human activity significant?

▶ Human activities have significantly disturbed the natural carbon cycle by

extracting long-buried fossil fuels and burning them for energy thus releasing
CO2 to the atmosphere.
 How do greenhouse gases influence climate change?

By burning fossil fuels due to industrialization and to sustain our modern

lifestyle, the level of GHGs increase rapidly. The higher the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the stronger the greenhouse effect
making it into enhanced greenhouse effect.
Increased concentration of CO2

⮚ Burning fossil fuels in cars, industry

and homes
⮚ Deforestation
⮚ Burning of forests
3
Consequences of Climate Change
Expansion of Greenhouse Effect

⮚ The sun’s radiation that strikes the Earth’s atmosphere in the form of
light, Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) and Infrared Radiation(IR).

⮚ UV radiation has a shorter wavelength and a higher energy level than

visible light, while IR radiation has a longer wavelength and a weaker
energy level.

⮚ 30 percent of the radiation striking Earth's atmosphere immediately

reflected back out to space by clouds, ice, snow, sand and other
reflective surfaces.
 Changing Precipitation Patterns
⮚ Some areas will get more water, some areas will
have greater droughts.
Ex: Hurricanes/Tropical Cyclones will likely get stronger
 Global warming

• Gas molecules that absorb thermal infrared radiation, in

sufficient quantity, can force the climate system. These
type of gas molecules are called greenhouse gases

• Examples of greenhouse gasses are Carbon dioxide (CO2),

water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), etc.

• The greenhouse gases act like a blanket, absorbing IR

radiation and preventing it from escaping into outer
space.

• The net effect is the gradual heating of Earth's

atmosphere and
surface, a process known as global warming.
 ADD KEY WORDS

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 Consequences of Climate Change

⮚Increase in sea level which results in flooding and erosion of coastal and
low lying areas

• The two major causes of global sea-level rise are thermal expansion caused by
warming of the oceans (since water expands as it warms) and the loss of land-
based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets, due to increased melting.

⮚ Extreme weather

• flooding, forest fires, typhoons, wildfires, droughts, heat waves

⮚ Risk to human health
• increase in number of heat-related and cold- related
deaths

⮚ Risk for wildlife extinction

• Loss of habitat and species

⮚ Imposes heavy cost on society and economy

• agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism,
infrastructure
 Melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers

⮚ Large ice formations, like glaciers and the polar ice caps,
naturally melt back a bit each summer. But in the winter,
snows, made primarily from evaporated seawater, are
generally sufficient to balance out the melting.

• Higher temperatures caused by global warming have led to

greater-than-average summer melting as well as diminished
snowfall due to later winters and earlier springs.
 Melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers

• Increased heat is also causing the massive ice sheets that

cover Greenland and Antarctica to melt at an accelerated
pace.

• Scientists also believe meltwater from above and seawater

from below is seeping beneath Greenland's and West
Antarctica's ice sheets, causing them to move more quickly
into the sea.
Evidence of Climate Change: Ice
Glaciers are retreating . . .
Unteraar Glacier which used to reach
the Swiss central Alps has retreated to
higher elevation receding as much as a
mile after temperature has risen.

Source: National Geographic Magazine

(2004)
 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Changes in temperature, weather patterns and sea level rise

Coastal/Marine Agriculture Human Health

Ecosystem

• Coastal erosion • Added heat stress, • Increase in vector-

• Storm surges shifting monsoons, borne diseases
• Coastal drier soils, water • Increase in cardio-
shortages/ irrigation vascular illnesses
flooding demands • Increase in upper
• Saltwater • Decreased rice/crop respiratory
intrusion production illnesses
• Coral bleaching • Impact on livestock • Occurrence of
• Ocean production infectious diseases
acidification • Occurrence of weed
infestation &
diseases
 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Changes in temperature, weather patterns and sea level rise

Water Resources Forest/ Industry and

Biodiversity Energy

• Impact on • Shift in feeding point • Changes in

hydrological cycle, and disruption in flight energy supply
changing patterns for migratory
and demand
evaporation, birds.
• Extinction of some • Impact on energy
precipitation and infrastructure
mountain plants and
runoff patterns
animals • Impact on industries
which could affect Changes in species such as wine,
water resources distribution,
(freshwater quantity tourism, livestock,
composition
and quality) fishing, insurance,
• Invasion of weeds and
• Impact on alien species holiday resorts,
power • Loss and migration of mining, and others.
generation plant and animal
species
What is happening?
 LINKAGES
BETWEEN CLIMATE
CHANGE AND
OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
4
Dealing with Climate Change
Relationship Between Mitigation and Adaptation
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

Mitigation
⮚ Locate/invent alternative fuels to fossil fuels
⮚ Increase efficiency of cars and trucks
⮚ Sequestering carbon before it is emitted
⮚ Plant and Maintain trees to naturally sequester carbon
Adaptation
⮚ Rising sea levels and coastal populations
-Move inland
-Construct dikes and levees
⮚ Adapt to shifting agricultural zones
Climate change is a core development issue

• Driver: Climate change is caused by fossil fuel use to

power development as well as land conversion for
production and development
• Outcomes: Impacts of climate change jeopardize the
inputs to development and people’s ability to
benefit from and sustain development gains
• Solutions: Climate change solutions will be achieved
through low-carbon and climate- resilient
development
REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS

⮚Burn less fossil fuel

⮚Plant Trees for shade and CO2 uptake
⮚Insulate your house
⮚Replace old appliances
⮚Use compact fluorescence light bulbs
⮚Use renewable energy
THANK YOU
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REFERENCES

▶ Mohammad Ali(2012) Climate Change: What is in the Name,

Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
▶ EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency available
at
www.epa.gov/climatechangeApril2010
▶ NASA Global Climate Change
▶ European Commission Report
▶ National Ocean Service, US Department of Commerce
▶ Livescience
THANK YOU