Climate Change - How Does It Affect You
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Should Christians be concerned about Climate Change? Global Warming is defined as: A long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system, an aspect of climate change shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects of the warming. According to the Holy Bible, God gave man dominion over all of earth. Gen 1:26. |
Katharine Hayhoe: Is an Associate Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, at the university of Texas Tech. She is a Christian that is leading the way, for solutions regarding Climate Change.
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Katharine Hayhoe
(What If Climate Change Is Real?) |
CNN Climate Change Report
(Aug 2013) |
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The Science of Climate Change is the most comprehensive assessment available of current scientific understanding of human influences on past, present and future climate. Under increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, the ocean is now heating up more rapidly then by nature environmental changes. This increased rate, called climate change, has an effect on the thermal expansion of oceans and makes a substantial contribution to sea level rise.
Climate Change Consequences: Climate change affects all regions around the world. Polar ice shields are melting and the sea is rising. In some regions extreme weather events and rainfall are becoming more common while others are experiencing more extreme heat waves and droughts. These impacts are expected to intensify in the coming decades.
Extreme Weather Conditions:
Extreme weather, shifting rainfall, Heavy rain, and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. This can lead to floods and decreasing water quality, but also decreasing availability of water resources in some regions.
Consequences for Europe:
Consequences For Developing Countries:
Many poor developing countries are among the most affected. People living there often depend heavily on their natural environment and they have the least resources to cope with the changing climate.
Risks for human health Climate change is already having an impact on health:
Between 1980 and 2011 floods affected more than 5.5 million people and caused direct economic losses of more than €90 billion.
Sectors that rely strongly on certain temperatures and precipitation levels such as agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism are particularly affected. Risks for wildlife Climate change is happening so fast that many plants and animal species are struggling to cope. Many terrestrial, freshwater and marine species have already moved to new locations. Some plant and animal species will be at increased risk of extinction if global average temperatures continue to rise unchecked.
Extreme weather, shifting rainfall, Heavy rain, and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. This can lead to floods and decreasing water quality, but also decreasing availability of water resources in some regions.
Consequences for Europe:
- Southern and central Europe are seeing more frequent heat waves, forest fires and droughts.
- The Mediterranean area is becoming drier, making it even more vulnerable to drought and wildfires.
- Northern Europe is getting significantly wetter, and winter floods could become common.
- Urban areas, where 4 out of 5 Europeans now live, are exposed to heat waves, flooding or rising sea levels, but are often ill-equipped for adapting to climate change.
Consequences For Developing Countries:
Many poor developing countries are among the most affected. People living there often depend heavily on their natural environment and they have the least resources to cope with the changing climate.
Risks for human health Climate change is already having an impact on health:
- There has been an increase in the number of heat-related deaths in some regions and a decrease in cold-related deaths in others.
- We are already seeing changes in the distribution of some water-borne illnesses and disease vectors.
Between 1980 and 2011 floods affected more than 5.5 million people and caused direct economic losses of more than €90 billion.
Sectors that rely strongly on certain temperatures and precipitation levels such as agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism are particularly affected. Risks for wildlife Climate change is happening so fast that many plants and animal species are struggling to cope. Many terrestrial, freshwater and marine species have already moved to new locations. Some plant and animal species will be at increased risk of extinction if global average temperatures continue to rise unchecked.