Geography 2.06 Unit Focus on Climate Change by Jessica Reekie https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a Made with no regrets, whatsoever en-us 2017-04-18 11:49:50 UTC 2025-11-09 12:45:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Diskette.png World Impact on Climate Change lazyeeyore https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724480 The graph shows the carbon emissions by region throughout the world. Notice that the United States and Canada clearly have the highest carbon emissions. However, the carbon emissions of Eastern Asia are not as clear cut. The communist nations of Eastern Europe emit almost twice as much carbon as do the nations of Japan and Australia. China has a long history of disregard for the environment and it is only recently that China has taken the initiative to enforce environmental sanctions and promote environmentally friendly practices. In June 2007, China unveiled a 62-page climate change plan and promised to focus on climate change and make related issues the heart of its energy policies.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases always have been present in the atmosphere, helping keep the earth suitable for plant, animal, and human life. However, since the industrial revolution, emissions of these gases from human activity have accumulated steadily, trapping more heat and resulting in the enhanced greenhouse effect. Although greenhouse gas emissions are primarily associated with the burning of fossil fuels (mainly, coal, oil and natural gas), carbon emissions come from many sources.

]]> 2017-04-18 11:50:28 UTC https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724480 Cost of Climate Change lazyeeyore https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724630 The impact of climate change has a very real and measurable cost. Look at a few of the outcomes of climate change if current emissions go unchecked. Every single outcome listed below has the potential to adversely affect human health in a significant way.

  • Water supplies in some critical areas will dwindle as snow and ice disappear.
  • Sea levels will rise, threatening coastal populations.
  • Droughts and floods will become more common.
  • Hurricanes and other powerful storms will cause more and more damage.
  • Agricultural production may increase with slight warming, but will decrease thereafter due to changes in precipitation, weather extremes, and the spread of crop pests and diseases.
  • Changing weather patterns will also change the distribution and incidence of insect-borne and waterborne diseases, such as malaria and cholera.
]]> 2017-04-18 11:51:10 UTC https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724630 Modern Trends in Climate Change lazyeeyore https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724781 There is very little debate about the anthropogenic (man-made) impact on climate change. Humans, and their activity on this planet, are altering our climate. Today, nations are working together to tackle this enormous problem. Climate change was not created overnight and the solution will not be found overnight. Reversing the global warming trend and protecting our Earth for future generations will take the concerted effort of many nations.

Solutions to climate change must be environmentally effective as well as economically efficient. Bold and innovative solutions on a national as well as global scale are needed. Throughout the United States and the world, many political, business, and community leaders already are working to prevent the consequences of global warming.

]]> 2017-04-18 11:51:29 UTC https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724781 lazyeeyore https://padlet.com/lazyeeyore/bm7hlzshbe9a/wish/166724903 "The world faces no greater challenge in the 21st century than arresting the rapidly increasing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change. The two largest producers of these gases are the United States and China. Their cooperation is essential if there is to be a solution to the daunting climate change challenge. If the United States and China can become active catalysts in bringing about a strategic transformation to a low-carbon, sustainable global economy, the world will take a giant step forward in combating climate change. The United States and China will also edge closer to energy security, protecting their environments and assuring greater prosperity for their citizens. Equally important, they will also succeed in building a far more stable and cooperative foundation for U.S.-China relations as a whole."

Richard Holbrooke, February 2009 Common Challenge, Collaborative Response: A Roadmap for U.S.-China Cooperation on Energy and Climate Change

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