Environmental health by Kelly Vrijens https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg Climate change: causes and consequences en-us 2020-02-07 15:39:50 UTC 2023-08-25 07:31:51 UTC hello@padlet.com What is climate change? 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442211066 Climate change refers to a substantial change in global climate patterns as a primary result of human activities. Human activities involve the burning of fossil fuels that contribute to an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (in particular carbon dioxide CO2). Climate change can lead to storms, heavy rainfall, drought, melting ice, heatwaves and rising sea levels. Therefore, climate change is a global threat and a public health challenge (IPCC).

]]> 2020-02-07 15:43:41 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442211066 Why is climate change an issue? 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442217079 Climate change conceptualizes a threat to human health and ecosystems. A rise in Earth’s temperature can lead to an increase of melting ice and causes the sea levels to rise. These events contribute to floods, heavy rainfall and extreme weather events which pose a threat to human health including: lack of safe drinking water, lack of food supply and air pollution.

]]> 2020-02-07 15:52:03 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442217079 Causes of climate change: 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442222980 Human activities range from burning fossil fuels to cutting down rainforests. These human activities  cause large amounts of greenhouse gases that will trap heat in the atmosphere, which simultaneously increase global warming. 

A change of one degree may sound as a small change. However, a rise in temperature poses a remarkable threat on ecosystems and humans. Further increase of temperature can lead to permanent loss of sensitive species.

]]> 2020-02-07 16:00:11 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442222980 The main greenhouse gases: 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442532963 Carbon dioxide (CO2): human activities have increased the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels (oil and coal), land use and deforestation.

Methane (CH4): is created owed to agricultural activities (domestic livestock - cows).  Methane is a potent greenhouse gas due to the fact that it traps much more heat in the atmosphere in comparison to CO2.

Nitrous oxide (N2O): is stemming from industrial activities and cultivation practices.

Ozone (O3): volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide derive from emissions of industries.  If volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide react with sunlight, the "bad" or "ground-level" ozone increases. 

Continuous emission of greenhouse gases will further increase the Earth’s and Ocean’s temperature leading to irreversible impacts on both ecosystems and humanity (EEA, 2017).

]]> 2020-02-08 14:00:36 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442532963 Consequence 1: Melting ice 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442535847 Increase in Earth’s temperature causes the sea levels to rise and simultaneously leads to flooding in diverse areas. Water scarcity causes drought, lack of food supply and safe drinking water. Extreme weather events lead to home destruction and migration due to environmental changes.

]]> 2020-02-08 14:28:54 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442535847 Consequence 2: Heatwaves 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442536388 Heatwaves are associated with higher death rates, heat stress, heat stroke, wildfires and dehydration. Different plants and species have a difficulty to cope with changing environmental conditions. A substantial rise in temperature is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, children and elderly populations are vulnerable to extreme heat weather events. Besides, ongoing high temperatures are associated with higher levels of pollen allergies and asthma (WHO, 2018). 

]]> 2020-02-08 14:33:27 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442536388 Consequence 3: Variability in rainfall and sea level rise 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442536929 Lack of rainfall elevates drought and threatens the food supply. The variability in rainfall can cause malnutrition and a rise in poverty.
Whereas the rise in sea levels causes the destruction of homes, medical services and habitats. Furthermore, rising sea levels contribute to a higher risk of water-borne diseases.

]]> 2020-02-08 14:37:30 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442536929 Consequence 4: Ocean acidification 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442537962 Not only trees, but also oceans are “carbon sinks”. Oceans absorb carbon dioxide which is primarily produced by human activities. When more carbon dioxide is emitted, more carbon dioxide is absorbed which lead to ocean acidification and thus impact marine wildlife and coral reef ecosystems.

]]> 2020-02-08 14:45:15 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442537962 The consequences in a nutshell 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442539814 Climate change poses global challenges and consequences. Particularly,  people living in developing countries will experience difficulty to cope with climate change due to the lack of resources and preparedness. It is estimated that there will be 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 & 2050 owed to the impacts of climate change. The higher death rates can be explained by: heat stroke, insufficient food supply, malaria, lack of safe & clean water (WHO, 2018).

]]> 2020-02-08 15:01:16 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442539814 The voice of Mother Nature 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442541401 Nature is speaking by Julia Roberts (CI, 2014).]]> 2020-02-08 15:14:57 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442541401 How can you help? 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442715895 How to take climate action:
  1. Recycle.
  2. Take shorter showers.
  3. Turn off electronics when you do not use them.
  4. Eat plant-based food.
  5. Reuse shopping bags.
  6. Walk & cycle.
]]> 2020-02-09 17:08:52 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442715895 Melting ice 20091103 https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442716875 Nature is speaking by Liam Neeson (CI, 2015)]]> 2020-02-09 17:14:13 UTC https://padlet.com/20091103/cqca18nzurjg/wish/442716875