Solutions to Climate Change

Solutions to Climate Change

BIO121 – Environmental Conservation

Colorado State University Global

Climate change refers to the shift in the climatic patterns, globally or regionally, that lasts for many years. The changes we see today are largely attributed to human activity. There has been a steady rise in the temperature since the 21st century and the changes have had a serious effect on human health, the health of the environment, and even our economy. Mitigating steps need to be implemented, and quickly; if they are not then the human race faces the very real threat of extinction (Denchak, 2019).

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has caused substantial effects on the environment such as environmental degradation, health risks to human beings and animals, and economical issues. For instance, the rainforests of Africa are quickly disappearing and this is due primarily to deforestation. Forests are major power players in the production of fresh water, a wide variety of sustenance for humans and animals, and they also trap carbon turning it into oxygen (Bergen, 2019). Research indicates that the rainforest could be completely razed by 2100 if we maintain our current rate of destruction (Bergen, 2019). Rainforests contribute a lot to the creation of fresh water, which is vital for industry, agriculture, and residential use.

Additionally, climate change can cause serious droughts which increases brush fires, and heavy rainfalls which can lead to mudslides and flooding. In 2011 and 2012, the United States, Canada and Australia experienced heavier than usual rains while Russia and the Ukraine battled drought and fires (Matthews, 2013). These five nations are leaders in the production of wheat, and these extreme weather patterns negatively impacted that production; wheat prices skyrocketed which, in turn, seriously impacted Northern Africa and the Middle East who rely heavily on imported foods (Matthews, 2013). Such fluctuations in prices can be grievous as spending on food increases, thus we see how climate change can impact economies.

SOLUTION

Effective solutions to climate change are focused primarily on energy and emissions. These two factors are highly dependent on one another. The connection between them needs to be broken; we need to focus on energy without emissions (or drastically reduced emissions). Emission free energy is a viable solution and it is one that is slowly being implemented around the world. The challenge of emissionless energy extends into every facet of life today. It was found in 2016 that “less than 20% of the energy produced globally went to electricity generation”, and that 80% went to large users of energy, industries such as transportation and industrial production (Eisenberg, Gray & Crabtree, 2019). Storage and use of renewable energy in all sectors need to be addressed through our ever evolving science and technology to really make an impact. Implementation of emissionless energy will result in better energy production and decreased emissions.

ISSUES

The issue of renewable, emissionless energy and the storage of that energy has been thoroughly analyzed and the types of batters that will provide the best solution. Issues that arise from this climate change solution include cost of elements to create specialized batteries, the different methods in which they can be created, “electron and ion charge transfer dynamics, component separability, and system durability” (Eisenberg, Gray & Crabtree, 2019). Because this is such an important topic, all of these issues are being researched and addressed as technology and science progresses.

References

Bergen, M. (2019, September 13). Congo Basin Deforestation Threatens Food and Water Supplies Throughout Africa. Retrieved April 5, 2020, from https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/07/congo-basin-deforestation-threatens-food-and-water-supplies-throughout-africa

Denchak, M. (2019, March 13). Global Climate Change: What You Need to Know. Retrieved April 5, 2020, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-climate-change-what-you-need-know

Eisenberg, R., Gray, H., & Crabtree, G. (2019). Addressing the Challenge of Carbon-Free Energy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 3(7), 1521–1522. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.8b00889

Matthews, C. (2013, March 7). Increased wheat production seen in 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2020, from http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/171320/icode/