Trends Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Mother Earth has a high fever. How do we help in decreasing her high fever? This chapter will present the crisis which planet Earth has. The lesson include climate change, global warming and how carbon footprint is made. It will present as well how to address the crisis by adapting and mitigating. What is Climate? CLIMATE Climate is a measure of the average pattern of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time. Climate is different than weather, in that weather only describes the short-term conditions of these variables in a given region. •A region's climate is generated by the climate system, which has five components: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, land surface, and biosphere. •The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain, and altitude, as well as nearby water bodies and their currents. Paleoclimatology is the study of ancient climates. Since direct observations of climate are not available before the 19th century, paleo- climates are inferred from proxy variables that include non-biotic evidence such as sediments found in lake beds and ice cores, and biotic evidence such as tree rings and coral. Climate models are mathematical models of past, present and future climates. Climate change may occur over long and short timescales from a variety of factors; recent warming is discussed in global warming. Climate (from Ancient Greek klima, meaning inclination) is commonly defined as the weather averaged over a long period. The standard averaging period is 30 years, but other periods may be used depending on the purpose. Climate also includes statistics other than the average, such as the magnitudes of day-to-day or year-to-year variations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) glossary definition is as follows: Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather," or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. The classical period is 30 years, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate system. The difference between climate and weather is usefully summarized by the popular phrase "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.“ Over historical time spans there are a number of nearly constant variables that determine climate, including latitude, altitude, proportion of land to water, and proximity to oceans and mountains. These change only over periods of millions of years due to processes such as plate tectonics. Other climate determinants are more dynamic: the thermohaline circulation of the ocean leads to a 5 °C (9 °F) warming of the northern Atlantic Ocean compared to other ocean basins. Types Of Climate •TROPICAL CLIMATE A tropical climate is a climate of the tropics. In the Köppen climate classification it is a non-arid climate in which all twelve months have mean temperatures of at least 18 °C (64 °F). Unlike the extra-tropics, where there are strong variations in day length and temperature, with season, tropical temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year and seasonal variations are dominated by precipitation. Types Of Climate •TEMPERATE CLIMATE In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar regions. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold. However, in certain areas, such as Asia and central North America, the variations between summer and winter can be extreme because these areas are far away from the sea, causing them to have a continental climate. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e.g. parts of the Andes) may have a temperate climate. Types Of Climate •POLAR CLIMATE Regions with a polar climate are characterized by a lack of warm summers. Every month in a polar climate has an average temperature of less than 10 °C (50 °F). Regions with polar climate cover over 20% of the Earth. The sun shines 24 hours in the summer, and barely ever shines at all in the winter (see midnight sun and polar night). Polar climate results in treeless tundra, glaciers, or a permanent or semi-permanent layer of ice. MAIN IDEAS: Climate Change is one big world problem. The 21 century world faces many st
challenges due to climate change.
Humanity can embark on the combined adaptation and mitigation. What is Climate Change? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) defines CLIMATE CHANGE as a term encompassing a broad range of changes happening to our planet, such as global warming, rising sea level, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerating ice melts and shifts in the blooming and harvest times of flowers and plants among many others. What is Climate Change? Climate change roots from global warming, which in turn is caused mainly by the burning fossil fuels, resulting in the release of heat- trapping gasses in to the air. Just like a greenhouse, these gasses get trapped into the earth surface, thereby earning the name “greenhouse gasses’. CLIMATE CHANGE The world is groaning. Humanity is in danger due to the global warming. Global connection is greatly responsible for its devastation. Also, global connection is potentially accountable for Earth’s restoration. Adaptation and mitigation can be learned collectively. Is Climate Change Natural or Induced? There is a divide among scientist and experts on whether or not climate change is a normal phenomenon or an induced phenomenon caused by human action. Those who argue that it be natural to refer to the time lag that happens in the earth’s atmosphere when it traps gasses-that takes centuries for a planet to respond. Meanwhile those who argue that climate change be caused by humans refer to the emissions released by fossil fuels such ass oil and natural gas. These emission come from human action from the industries, factories, cart etc. Whether natural or man-made, climate change is upon us. The most apparent effect that we can see today is the rise of sea- levels, which serves as an existential threat to many low-lying areas in the world. The Philippine is also vulnerable to this. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect Philippine Cities Scientist say human activities are largely responsible for the continued increase in average global temperatures, which causes climate change. Global greenhouse gases emitted by the fossil fuels industry(which give us electricity and fuels our cars) trap heat in the earth atmosphere thus warming the entire planet. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities 1. More Intense El Nino The El Nino phenomenon occurs when the surface of ocean waters in the southern Pacific becomes abnormally warm. The energy created by this warming is so great that it can create an imbalance in the weather in different parts of the world. In Southeast Asia, it can lead to abnormally dry conditions. El Nino can also make other weather events like storms highly unpredictable. Weather will have extreme high and lows, making it “increasingly difficult to accurately predict weather patterns for purposes of planning and normal business operations”. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities 2. Sea surface temperature to rise By the end of the century, sea surface temperatures are expected to rise by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. This can lead to more powerful storm because storm get their strength from heat rising from the sea. In the Philippines 4 and 5 degrees Celsius spike above the normal sea surface temperature have been recorded. Warmer seas kill coral reefs and can thus lead to a decline in fish catch, putting food security in danger. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities 3. Ocean Acidification The shift in the pHlevels of our oceans can lead to widespread coral reef death. Because of the imbalance, shrimp are not able to develop skins, oysters cannot develop shells. Fish larvae may not be able to develop bones. This further endangers food security and the livelihood of fishermen. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities 4. Sea level to rise by 4 to 6 meters Current data show an increase in sea surface heights. Scientist say this is due to the melting of ice sheets in the northern portion of the globe like America and Greenland. Sea level rise by 4 to 6 meters can submerge low lying communities like Tacloban City which stands only 3 meter above sea level. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities
5. Tropical cyclones to intensify
The creation of tropical cyclones is already being recorded in areas where the Phenomenon had never been observed. On Nov. 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda said to be the strongest storm recorded in the history. Devastated cities in the Visayas. Six Ways Climate Change Will Affect PH Cities 6. Rinfall, river flow and flooding to intensify Monsoon rainfall in the Philippines will reach new highs and lows. Some parts of the country will experience an upward trend in rainfall while other parts will experience an intensification of drought. Those two extreme poles of weather will make it more difficult for agriculture sector which are highly dependent on weather. Philippine cities are already experiencing unpreceeded amounts of rainfall. In Tacloban City, rainfall increaded by 25% ffrom 1998 to 2011. More rainfall will lead to more flooding and can trigger landslides in upland communities LESSON 2: CARBON FOOTPRINT Every move we make in every minute leaves a carbon footprint. Each carbon footprint contributes to the torrential rains and blizzard. Each day creates a multiple of footprints. Are you aware how much carbon footprints do you leave each day? TERMS TO DEFINE: •Carbon Footprint •Torrential Rain •Blizzard MAIN IDEAS: •Each individual leaves a carbon footprint every minute. •The global connections of socio- economic and political dimensions have contributed much in the production and consumption of carbon. What is Carbon Footprint? Your carbon footprint measures the impact your activities have on the environment determined by the amount of greenhouse gases produced through burning fossil fuels, electricity, heating and transportation. The average US household has a carbon footprint of 16,008 pound per year. How is a Carbon Footprint Calculated? • Your carbon footprint is made up of two parts: primary and secondary footprints. • Your primary footprint is a measure of direct emissions from burning fossil fuels. This includes your home gas, oil and coal use, home electricity, private transportation, public transport, flights and food and drink • Your secondary footprint includes your share of public services, financial services, recreation and leisure, house building and furnishing, car manufacture and delivery and clothes and personal effects. Several factors affect your footprints: the number of people in your household, what kind of heat you use in your home, miles driven per year and fuel efficiency of your automobile, number and duration of flights, you average monthly electric, gas and fuel bills and recycling habits. Carbon emission from your home is directly correlated to everyday energy consumption. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to improve energy efficiency: •Inside your home •At your Office •For your meetings INSIDE YOUR HOME: • When appliances are not use, turn them off and unplug them. Even small appliances like cellphone chargers waste energy when plugged in all day. It is called GHOSTELECTRICITY. • Take shorter, cooler showers and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. • Recycle everything you can. • Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL low energy bulbs, which use just 20% of the energy of a normal light bulb and last 15 times longer. • When replacing older appliances, always option for appliances that use less power and receive a good energy rating. AT YOUR OFFICE • Only print as many copies as absolutely needed. Instead of having each employee have their own files, create a central filing system to avoid having to make many copies of the same documents. • Use smaller fonts when printing internal documents to save paper and ink. • Recycle everything, including ink cartridges and toner. Ask local suppliers if they can deliver supplies in reusable bins rather bins rather than cardboard boxes. • Turn off and unplug equipment when not in use. • Telecommute whenever possible, but make a commitment to do it at least one day per week. For your meetings: • Ask your caterer for biodegradable tableware( plates, cup, utensils etc.) or use china and metal silverware. • Monitor meeting room temperature. Turn the heat down a few degrees in winter and up a few degrees in summer and encourage attendee to dress in layers. • Provide materials that are ecofriendly: recyclables, printed on recycled paper or go paperless altogether. Addressing Climate Change Impact Preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system is the ultimate aim of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Philippines has committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030 while maintaining a “business as usual scenario” from 2000 to 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry.