dictionary
Climate Change: Climate change, as defined by NASA, is “a change in the usual weather found in a place.”1 While the occasional warm day in winter can seem like a harmless blessing, this repeated and erratic change can interrupt the natural ecosystem cycles. Animals suffer as they try to cope with unpredictable temperatures and weather, and, consequently, so do humans. Humans ultimately rely on the earth for food, shelter, and resources, so when those resources are no longer able to be produced at a constant and dependable rate, human life is endangered. There have been natural phenomena in earth’s history during which temperatures fluctuated drastically, such as the last ice age during the Pleistocene Epoch era, but those were due to normal earth cycles.2 Now, temperatures and weather are fluctuating because of human’s greenhouse gas output. While the exact percentage of scientists who support anthropogenic climate change is debated, it is clear that a vast majority support the conclusion that the current climate change is human-caused.
Global warming: Global warming is a symptom of climate change that entails the average increase in temperature of certain regions of the earth. So, while the average earth temperature may fluctuate in small time periods, the average temperature of individual regions may increase, which can dramatically alter the climate and affect the plants that grow and the animals and humans that live in that habitat.
Greenhouse gases: There are six different gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is the cause of global warming (a symptom of climate change): water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone. Greenhouse gases are necessary in order to keep our planet warm; without them, the average temperature of the earth’s surface would be 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Ozone, for example, is a good and necessary greenhouse gas because it absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun. Water vapor has the most warming potential, but because water molecules do not remain in the atmosphere for very long, their effect is not harmful. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are all naturally occuring gases that are necessary to various earth cycles. However, as humans burn more fossil fuels, raise more livestock, and disturb more soil, the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere has increased to dangerous levels, causing climate change. Chlorofluorocarbons are entirely human-made chemicals that damage the ozone layer and were used as refrigerants and in aerosol spray cans until the Montreal Protocol limited their use in 1987. Unfortunately, the molecules remain in the atmosphere anywhere from 55 to 500 years. Greenhouse gases are needed to keep the earth at a stable temperature, but because of human activity in the last century, their concentration in the atmosphere has increased to levels that have not been recorded in the last 800,000 years.
Zero-waste: Zero-waste is a new idea that has been brought to light. With more images appearing of plastics floating in the ocean and affecting wildlife, many have taken it upon themselves to find ways to limit and eliminate their waste. One way they can do that is by living a zero-waste life. By definition, a zero-waste lifestyle is “The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and no discharge to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”3
Global warming: Global warming is a symptom of climate change that entails the average increase in temperature of certain regions of the earth. So, while the average earth temperature may fluctuate in small time periods, the average temperature of individual regions may increase, which can dramatically alter the climate and affect the plants that grow and the animals and humans that live in that habitat.
Greenhouse gases: There are six different gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is the cause of global warming (a symptom of climate change): water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone. Greenhouse gases are necessary in order to keep our planet warm; without them, the average temperature of the earth’s surface would be 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Ozone, for example, is a good and necessary greenhouse gas because it absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun. Water vapor has the most warming potential, but because water molecules do not remain in the atmosphere for very long, their effect is not harmful. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are all naturally occuring gases that are necessary to various earth cycles. However, as humans burn more fossil fuels, raise more livestock, and disturb more soil, the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere has increased to dangerous levels, causing climate change. Chlorofluorocarbons are entirely human-made chemicals that damage the ozone layer and were used as refrigerants and in aerosol spray cans until the Montreal Protocol limited their use in 1987. Unfortunately, the molecules remain in the atmosphere anywhere from 55 to 500 years. Greenhouse gases are needed to keep the earth at a stable temperature, but because of human activity in the last century, their concentration in the atmosphere has increased to levels that have not been recorded in the last 800,000 years.
Zero-waste: Zero-waste is a new idea that has been brought to light. With more images appearing of plastics floating in the ocean and affecting wildlife, many have taken it upon themselves to find ways to limit and eliminate their waste. One way they can do that is by living a zero-waste life. By definition, a zero-waste lifestyle is “The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and no discharge to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”3
conclusion
How does plastic affect the environment and climate change?
Plastic takes a very long time to biodegrade, or the process of bacteria breaking up substances into useful compounds that can be reused in the earth. Some plastics, such as polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, never biodegrade. The average plastic takes anywhere between 450 to 1,000 years to break down because most bacteria cannot consume it. Instead, plastics are broken down through a process called photodegradation, where UV rays from sunlight break plastics into thousands of tiny pieces, or microplastics.4 Photodegradation cannot occur in landfills where the plastic is buried under a barrier of trash and earth, but it can and does in the wide open oceans, contributing to the infestation of microplastics. As these microplastics move up the food chain and accumulate in larger fish, humans are directly threatened as they ingest plastic. For example, one chemical found in some plastics and receipt paper called BPA has many adverse health effects as it mimics the hormone estrogen, but it is still found in many plastic products. It is so dangerous that both Canada and China have banned BPA in all products, however the USA still allows it as long as manufacturers limit the content to the prescribed levels.5
How can living a low or zero waste lifestyle aid the environment?
Living low-waste can have a large impact on the environment. By not adding additional non-biodegradable plastics to landfills, humans will be able to cope with the plastic trash already in existence and devise ways to repurpose it. Also, the harsh chemicals and greenhouse gases involved in plastic production could be limited as well. Lastly, pollution on land and in the oceans will be reduced, which will benefit the wildlife and humans.
When will climate change become irreversible?
As of March of 2020, the UN warns that we have 11 years before the effects of climate change will become irreversible.6 This means that the greenhouse gas “shield” around the earth will become too dense, trapping heat and warming the air and ocean temperatures. The natural life cycles of species will be disrupted as their habitat changes, leading to mass extinction.
How are first and third world countries adapting to the troubles of climate change?
First world countries possess the capital wealth to invest in renewable power sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric plants. For example, the second wind power plant located in an ocean in America has been approved and will be built off the coast of Baltimore. Private investors from many first world countries have started funds, such as Bill Gates’ Global Commission for Adaptation, for third world impoverished communities who need aid to cope with and combat climate change.7
1. May, Sandra, editor. "What Is Climate Change?" NASA, 7 Aug. 2017, www.nasa.gov/
audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-k4.html.
2. Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "Pleistocene Epoch: Facts About the Last Ice Age." Live
Science, 29 Aug. 2017, www.livescience.com/
40311-pleistocene-epoch.html.
3. "Zero Waste Definition." Zero Waste International Alliance, 20 Dec. 2018,
zwia.org/zero-waste-definition/.
4. Harris, William. "How long does it take for plastics to biodegrade?" How Stuff
Works, science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/
how-long-does-it-take-for-plastics-to-biodegrade.htm.
5. Petre, Alina. "What Is BPA and Why Is It Bad for You?" Healthline, 17 Dec. 2018,
www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-bpa#risk.
6. "Only 11 Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change, Speakers
Warn during General Assembly High-Level Meeting." United Nations, 28 Mar.
2019, www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12131.doc.htm.
7. Parker, Laura. "Bill Gates launches effort to help the world adapt to climate
change." National Geographic, 16 Oct. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/
environment/2018/10/bill-gates-world-bank-launch-climate-change-adaptation-fund/.
Plastic takes a very long time to biodegrade, or the process of bacteria breaking up substances into useful compounds that can be reused in the earth. Some plastics, such as polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, never biodegrade. The average plastic takes anywhere between 450 to 1,000 years to break down because most bacteria cannot consume it. Instead, plastics are broken down through a process called photodegradation, where UV rays from sunlight break plastics into thousands of tiny pieces, or microplastics.4 Photodegradation cannot occur in landfills where the plastic is buried under a barrier of trash and earth, but it can and does in the wide open oceans, contributing to the infestation of microplastics. As these microplastics move up the food chain and accumulate in larger fish, humans are directly threatened as they ingest plastic. For example, one chemical found in some plastics and receipt paper called BPA has many adverse health effects as it mimics the hormone estrogen, but it is still found in many plastic products. It is so dangerous that both Canada and China have banned BPA in all products, however the USA still allows it as long as manufacturers limit the content to the prescribed levels.5
How can living a low or zero waste lifestyle aid the environment?
Living low-waste can have a large impact on the environment. By not adding additional non-biodegradable plastics to landfills, humans will be able to cope with the plastic trash already in existence and devise ways to repurpose it. Also, the harsh chemicals and greenhouse gases involved in plastic production could be limited as well. Lastly, pollution on land and in the oceans will be reduced, which will benefit the wildlife and humans.
When will climate change become irreversible?
As of March of 2020, the UN warns that we have 11 years before the effects of climate change will become irreversible.6 This means that the greenhouse gas “shield” around the earth will become too dense, trapping heat and warming the air and ocean temperatures. The natural life cycles of species will be disrupted as their habitat changes, leading to mass extinction.
How are first and third world countries adapting to the troubles of climate change?
First world countries possess the capital wealth to invest in renewable power sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric plants. For example, the second wind power plant located in an ocean in America has been approved and will be built off the coast of Baltimore. Private investors from many first world countries have started funds, such as Bill Gates’ Global Commission for Adaptation, for third world impoverished communities who need aid to cope with and combat climate change.7
1. May, Sandra, editor. "What Is Climate Change?" NASA, 7 Aug. 2017, www.nasa.gov/
audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-k4.html.
2. Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "Pleistocene Epoch: Facts About the Last Ice Age." Live
Science, 29 Aug. 2017, www.livescience.com/
40311-pleistocene-epoch.html.
3. "Zero Waste Definition." Zero Waste International Alliance, 20 Dec. 2018,
zwia.org/zero-waste-definition/.
4. Harris, William. "How long does it take for plastics to biodegrade?" How Stuff
Works, science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/
how-long-does-it-take-for-plastics-to-biodegrade.htm.
5. Petre, Alina. "What Is BPA and Why Is It Bad for You?" Healthline, 17 Dec. 2018,
www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-bpa#risk.
6. "Only 11 Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change, Speakers
Warn during General Assembly High-Level Meeting." United Nations, 28 Mar.
2019, www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12131.doc.htm.
7. Parker, Laura. "Bill Gates launches effort to help the world adapt to climate
change." National Geographic, 16 Oct. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/
environment/2018/10/bill-gates-world-bank-launch-climate-change-adaptation-fund/.