An-thro-po-gen-ic: of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature.
Things to Know:
Climate: conditions of the atmosphere at a particular location over a long period of time; the long-term summation of the atmospheric elements (and their variations) that, over short time periods, constitute weather.
Atmospheric Elements That Affect Climate Change: solar radiation, temperature, humidity, precipitation (type, frequency, and amount), atmospheric pressure, and wind (speed and direction).
Ocean Acidification: a reduction in the pH (acidity) of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide: a colorless and odorless gas that is used in photosynthesis (absorbed by plants); a greenhouse gas; an excessive amount can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere, which leads to global warming.
Fossil Fuels: made from decomposing plants and animals, found in Earth’s crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, often burned for energy (i.e. coal, oil, natural gas).
Where We Stand Currently:
According to NASA, Earth’s climate has changed throughout its history, however, the current warming is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years. The planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century. Ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic have decreased in size. Spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere has decreased over the past five decades. The global sea level has risen about 8 inches in the last century. The number of record high-temperature events in the United States has been steadily increasing and likewise, the number of record low-temperature events has been decreasing since 1950. Ocean acidification has increased by about 30%. Carbon dioxide levels today are 50% higher than before the Industrial Revolution.
The word “climate” comes from the Greek klíma, meaning “an inclination or slope”. From its beginnings in the English language, the term has been used to mean the atmospheric conditions in a particular region. One year may differ from another, and decades and centuries may differ from one another by either slight or extreme amounts. Climate depends on time- for example, the collection of data via satellite over one region for a set number of years will give a better understanding of exactly what is happening in terms of temperature, precipitation, and more. The beforementioned lack of spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere was found through the collection of data using satellites for a set number of years and seeing how the snow disappeared over time. Changes in climate can directly impact human and animal life (i.e. more frequent and intense storms, flooding, etc.). Climate change occurs because of anthropogenic effects, most if not all of which can be prevented.
Examples of Anthropogenic Effects:
Burning Fossil Fuels (the most prevalent)
Planting Nitrogen-Fixing Crops
Fertilization Production
Wastewater Disposal
Noise Pollution
Light Pollution
Removal of Corals
Land “Reclamation”
Invasive Species
Plastic Pollution
How Anthropogenic Effects are Harmful:
Pollution with Toxic Substances
Increasing Turbidity Due to Plankton Blooms, Bottom Trawling, Sand Mining, and Erosion of Shores
Over-Exploitation of Organisms and Ecosystems
Degrading and Loss of Habitats
Intensive Emission of Greenhouse Gases to the Atmosphere
Overpopulation
Deforestation
Soil Erosion
Poor Air Quality
Undrinkable Water
Flooding
Coral Bleaching
Rising Global Temperatures
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Temperatures Rising
Prey Migration
Drought
Every day, changes in the climate occur. Every day, animals and humans are hurt or die via drought, lack of food, lack of other resources, intense storms or similar weather events, extreme flooding, living in regions with poor air quality, lack of drinkable water, or living where temperatures are hitting extreme lows or highs. Those who are most affected live in countries where the least amount of anthropogenic effects occur, yet they suffer the most. As of October 2022, it was found that the top five contributors to carbon dioxide emissions (in order) were:
China
The United States
India
Russia
Japan
The main source of carbon dioxide emissions comes from burning coal. When considering all fossil fuels, coal is the most carbon-intensive, and is most frequently used because it is inexpensive and easy to come by. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere began to rise steadily, however, now fossil fuels are regularly used to power motor vehicles, heat homes, and provide electricity. The National Academies of Sciences states that 81% of total energy use in the United States comes from coal, oil, and natural gas. It has been found that fossil fuels are responsible for almost three-fourths of the emissions from human activities in the last 20 years. Studies are being conducted to find if using natural gas over coal would result in less carbon dioxide emissions overall as natural gas emits 50% less carbon dioxide than coal. Scientists are studying if storing carbon dioxide underground and Direct Air Capture are options for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Photo by C. G. on Unsplash
What Can You Do to Prevent the Buildup of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere: Every day, there are so many things we do that we do not give a second thought: flipping a light switch, binge-watching television, having access to clean drinking water, and being able to drive to the local grocery store to get those Oreos you so desperately need. In the United States, especially, many people don’t give things a second thought, buying the newest phone, smartwatch, or clothing to fit in with their peers or to keep up appearances. Many do not consider the waste they are creating when constantly purchasing the newest thing and ditching the old.
Reduce Vehicle Emissions:
Vehicle emissions are the second largest source of carbon dioxide produced in the United States. This includes anything running on gasoline or diesel (your lawnmower, your leaf blower, or your local golf course’s cart). The best way to prevent this personally is to be cognizant of what and how much you drive. When considering a new or used car, you should ensure the vehicle is gas-efficient. Other options include carpooling with friends or coworkers, using public transportation, or riding a bike.
Energy Consumption:
Energy consumption produces the highest amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Power plants burn fossil fuels to generate power which we use daily, and the more electricity consumed, the more energy plants must create. Energy is used in your home (charging your devices, running your television, lights, heat), and workplace. When purchasing appliances, buy those that are energy-efficient. Invest in the Nest thermostat or similar, which helps regulate the temperature in your home while saving you money. Wash your clothing with cold water always. Make a point to leave no lights on unless you are in the room. Be conscientious of how much television you watch. A burning screen means you are burning energy, requiring energy plants to burn more fossil fuels. You could turn the tv off and read that book you’ve been meaning to for months, or go for a walk.
Reduce Waste Consumption:
Firstly, before purchasing anything, ask yourself if you truly need that item. Not every item can be recycled, so it is very important to make sure you do not overconsume. If an item cannot be recycled, sold, or repurposed in some way, it is thrown away and sent to a landfill. So much energy is spent in manufacturing and filling that constant need to buy-buy-buy. Did you know that most retail clothing that does not sell due to a lack of demand because of the number of “seasons” in a year now are shipped overseas, producing more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and overwhelming other countries with our waste? Most of this clothing is made very cheaply and is of poor quality, breaking down quickly. If fewer items are purchased, then less energy will be used to create said items and keep the factories running. Instead of buying a new outfit, why not visit a local thrift store instead? Depending on where you live, you might be able to find many items new with tags on- people change their minds constantly or may not want to go through with the hassle of returning things. If you can stop buying so much, do it. If you can reuse or recycle an item, do it. They call it Reduce — Reuse — Recycle for a reason.
Restore Natural Sinks:
The ocean absorbs the carbon dioxide which is present in the atmosphere, a slow process that can take hundreds of years- this process is overwhelmed by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted daily. While phytoplankton in the ocean are responsible for producing 90% of our oxygen, plants and trees are also extremely helpful for creating more oxygen and taking some of the load off of our marine friends. You can plant more flowers, shrubs, and trees on your own property. Many others will purchase plants and go to local parks or trails and plant them (if you do this, ensure the plant is native to the area!). Plants take in carbon dioxide and use it for sugar production during photosynthesis, creating oxygen which we need to breathe. Fewer plants means less oxygen. Less phytoplankton means a large drop in the amount of available oxygen on the planet. If we hurt our oceans, we are also hurting phytoplankton. If we cut down all of our trees, we are hurting the trees. We are burning the candle at both ends, which will result in a lack of necessary oxygen to support human life.
What Else Can You Do?:
Petition your local government to make sure energy-efficient protocols are being followed
Contact local companies or your favorites and push for improved technologies which do not emit as much carbon dioxide or any at all
Encourage your friends to buy an energy-efficient vehicle or household appliance when they start talking about an upgrade
Eat less meat or none at all — methane emissions from cattle and similar animals are increasing, it requires a large amount of water and land, it leads to deforestation and forest fires, it increases the risk of future pandemics, and more
It is so vitally important that we each play our role. You are a consumer and you are therefore responsible for the carbon dioxide emitted through your shopping habit, gas-guzzling truck, binge-watching Netflix, the list goes on. Animals losing their homes cannot speak for themselves. People in communities with poor economies are not creating the vast amounts of carbon dioxide that people in prosperous nations do, yet they have to suffer. You can make a difference, even if you feel like you are a drop in a bucket. Have you been thinking of eating less meat? Maybe try having it only once a day or only on the weekends if you don’t want to make the jump to being vegan. Have you been wanting to thrift your clothing but are worried about what your friends think? Newsflash: if they have an issue, they aren’t your friends. It is so much more important to do right by the world than to drive the newest, nicest car, or to keep buying new outfits to fit in. Isaac Newton once said, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”, and this is more true now than ever before. Even if you cannot change every single thing you do (the toothpaste or shampoo you use, your diet, etc.), changing one thing makes a difference. Start with one thing today.
Go make waves!
-Hunter