SCI 219 7-1 Final Submission Environmental Issues Paper

7-1 Final Submission: Environmental Issues Paper 1

7-1 Final Submission: Environmental Issues Paper

Brynne Nicholas

Southern New Hampshire University

SCI 219: Environmental Issues

Instructor Alyssa Johnson

February 19, 2023

7-1 Final Submission: Environmental Issues Paper 2

Environmental Issue

Changing Weather Patterns Due to Climate Change

between energy entering and exiting the planet's system determines the temperature of Earth. The

Earth heats when incoming solar energy is absorbed by the Earth system. Earth does not warm

when solar energy is reflected into space. Earth cools as absorbed energy is radiated back into

space. Changes in the energy balance of the planet can result from a variety of natural and human

processes, such as: “variations in the sun's energy reaching earth, changes in the reflectivity of

Earth’s atmosphere and surface, changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the amount of

environment as well as our safety and health (Climate change: Basic information, n.d.). There

are several ways in which society and ecosystems are impacted by the changing climate. Climate

change, for instance, may affect rainfall patterns, food yields, human health, the health of forests

and other ecosystems, and even our energy supply. Impacts from the climate are being felt

nationwide and in many different areas of our economy (Climate change impacts, n.d.).

Over the previous century, the earth's average temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees,

and over the next 100 years, that temperature is expected to climb by another.5 to 8.6 degrees.

Slight variations in the earth's average temperature can result in significant and potentially

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hazardous changes in the climate and weather. The effects of climate change have become

evident as we can see that the increase in the average temperature of earth has been accompanied

by weather and climatic changes (Climate change: Basic information, n.d.). Numerous locations

also been major changes to earth's glaciers and oceans with melting ice caps due to ocean

temperatures rising resulting in rising sea levels. In future decades, these as well as other changes

will undoubtedly intensify, posing problems for both the environment and society (Climate

change: Basic information, n.d.).

The intensity, frequency, and impacts of extreme weather events is expected to worsen as

a result of climate change (Extreme weather and climate change, 2022). The temperature on our

warming affect the environment on a global level (Climate change impacts, n.d.).

Impact on Local Community

Some of the impacts that climate change has had locally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

includes rising sea levels, increase in temperature, and extreme weather events such as heavier

and more intense downpours, and stronger storms especially hurricanes. Rising sea levels have

an impact on coastal erosion and the impacts felt from hurricanes due to greater storm surges not

far from my area. Heavier and more intense downpours have occurred numerous times. One

example is the August 2016 flood which left thirteen individuals dead and nearly 60,000 homes

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ruined. For a period of 3 months leading up to the flood, Louisiana had received 40.95 inches of

rain which was more than the amount of rain that Los Angeles had received in the past five years

(Orr, M., 2022). This hurricane was so strong and devastating that the population of permanent

residents in Grand Isle decreased by roughly 36 percent.

Ecological Processes

Although climate change is occurring on a global scale, its ecological impacts are

generally local, varying from place to place (The National Academies: Advisors to the Nation of

species, and even species extinctions” (The National Academies: Advisors to the Nation of

Science Engineering, and Medicine., 2008). Climate change is causing milder winters as well as

warmer summer temperatures, which are in turn, allowing the spread of infections and disease

due to the transmission of pathogens. There is an acceleration of marine life movement towards

cooler waters. Great changes in biodiversity as well as species composition are resulting from

small variations in precipitation and temperature (Science highlights: Ecological effects of

climate change, n.d.).

Impact of Human Activities

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Burning fossil fuels for food, energy, manufacturing, and transportation are examples of

human activities that have directly contributed to greenhouse gas fluxes which in turn contributes

to global climate change. Excess carbon produced by humans results in the increase of

happens as a result of the air's carbon and oxygen combining to form CO2 during the combustion

of coal and oil (NASA, 2022b). Another major direct contribution to global climate change is the

clearance of land for agricultural purposes as “It decreases the soil’s ability to store carbon.

Moreover, when forests are cleared or burnt, they release the carbon they have stored” (United

Nations, n.d.). Invasive species, CO2 fertilization, nitrogen and acidic deposition, temperature

and precipitation variations, and tropospheric ozone are a few examples of human activities that

Human Activities in Local Community

Despite the fact that climate change is occurring on a global scale, its ecological effects

are also local and vary depending on where they occur (The National Academies: Advisors to the

Nation of Science Engineering, and Medicine, 2008). Global climate change has an effect on a

wide range of ecological processes, including the threat of disease, biodiversity, and marine

ecology (Science highlights: Ecological effects of climate change, n.d.). “These impacts can

include expansion of species into new areas, intermingling of formerly nonoverlapping species,

and even species extinctions” (The National Academies: Advisors to the Nation of Science

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Engineering, and Medicine., 2008). Climate change is causing milder winters as well as warmer

summer temperatures, which are in turn, allowing the spread of infections and disease due to the

transmission of pathogens. There is an acceleration of marine life movement towards cooler

change, n.d.). Here in Louisiana, human activities directly and indirectly impact the ecological

processes in regards to changing weather patterns caused by global climate change in a variety of

ways. For example, aside from individuals living and working in downtown Baton Rouge as well

as in New Orleans, it seems that most people drive their own vehicles or use public

transportation to and from work daily. The emissions from these vehicles used daily are a major

source of greenhouse gases which fuel climate change. Although there are some who may ride

target of 2°C above preindustrial levels (set by the Paris climate agreement) may be achieved by

implementing sustainable land management strategies. The relationship between people and

nature has long been a goal of conservation groups. But it's only recently that we have realized

how crucial land-use management is for combating climate change. With the advancement of

biogeochemical modeling, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing, we can more accurately

predict outcomes and create management and mitigation plans for negative effects. The

restoration, conservation, and improved management of land in order to enhance carbon storage

or prevent greenhouse-gas emissions in landscapes throughout the world are some of the most

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promising methods to mitigate climate change. A recent analysis conducted by the Nature

Conservancy organization and 15 other top organizations outlines the full potential of these

solutions (Adams, J. 2017). According to NASA, we can also respond to climate change by

2022a).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of the restoration, conservation, and improved management of land in order

to enhance carbon storage or prevent greenhouse-gas emissions in landscapes throughout the

world are some of the most promising methods to mitigate climate change. A recent analysis

conducted by the Nature Conservancy organization and 15 other top organizations outlines the

manner” (NASA, 2022a). Advantages are that this will give our ecosystems time to naturally

adapt to climate change and ensure there is no threat to food production as well as enable

economic development so that we can continue to live in a sustainable manner (NASA, 2022a).

Advantages of adaptation include the risk reduction of harmful impacts of climate change as we

adapt “to life in a changing climate” (NASA, 2022a). This means we will adjust and adapt to

“actual or expected future climate” (NASA, 2022a).

Changes in Human Behavior

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Humans will have to put forth the effort toward restoring, conserving, and improving

management of land in order for this solution to be effective. This is because if humans do not

contribute to this management, conservation, and restoration then carbon storage will not be

reflect on their own contributions to greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce it on a personal level.

If everyone were to put forth this effort, there could be much success with this option. For

adaptation to work, humans would need to properly adjust and adapt their lives to coincide with

actual and expected future climate so that there is an effective reduction of the harmful impacts

of climate change on the human population globally.

two highest consumption categories are food at 1.0 gha and shelter at 2.2 gha (How many planets

does it take to sustain your lifestyle?, n.d.). The results are somewhat shocking, but thinking

about it, the house I live in is an older, larger home and does use a lot of energy.

Personal Habits and Daily Activities

There are a variety of personal habits and daily activities of myself that impact the

ecological processes related to changing weather patterns due to global climate change. One of

which is driving to and from work everyday and not carpooling as well as the long rides that I

take when I am trying to clear my mind. Excess carbon produced by driving with the CO2

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emissions being released from my vehicle everyday results in the increase of greenhouse gases.

Additionally, I eat out a lot and when I do cook, I generally do not pay attention to where the

food I purchase comes from. The meat that I do purchase to cook impacts the ecological

Daily Life Impacts

My daily life impacts changing weather patterns due to climate change in the amount of

CO2 that is emitted from my vehicle. The emissions of CO2 as a result directly contributes to

greenhouse gas fluxes which in turn contribute to global climate change as excess carbon

produced by humans results in the increase of greenhouse gases (National Research Council,

2004). The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide or CO2 has increased as a result of the

change (United Nations, n.d.).

Previously Identified Habits

Considering that I do not buy many groceries and mostly eat out if needed, I would have

to say that me driving to and from work every day instead of carpooling as well as the long rides

that I take when I need to clear my mind have a greater impact on changing weather patterns due

to climate change. So, the greatest impact comes from the CO2 that is emitted from my vehicle.

The emissions of CO2 as a result directly contributes to greenhouse gas fluxes which in turn

contribute to global climate change as excess carbon produced by humans results in the increase