|
Sea-Level Rise
Thermal expansion of the oceans (water expands when heated), and the melting of polar ice-caps and glaciers will increase the mean sea-level by between 9 to 88 cm by the year 2100. |
How Industrialization and Consumer Society Contributes to Climate Change: A Quick Overview
Most human-induced greenhouse gas (or GHG) emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels:
-Coal for industry and residential electricity
-Oil and natural gas for manufacturing and heating
-Gasoline & diesel fuel for our vehicles and garden equipment
Starting with the box in the upper left corner (see image below), human caused or ‘anthropogenic’ emissions raise atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations (top centre box), which lead to changes in the average state and the extremes of climate (top right box). These changes in climate impact our natural ecosystems, human health, our economy, and our society.
 Humans can respond to impacts of changes in climate in two ways:
First: We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions which cause climate change and unwanted impacts (lower centre box).
For example, burning less fossil fuels would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which would reduce the rate and extent of changes in climate. Less climate change would mean reduced negative impacts to humans and ecosystems.
Second: We can prepare for changes in climate by taking steps that will help us to cope with likely impacts. This is often referred to as ‘Adaptation’ (lower centre box). For example, building new structures further back from the sea shore will lessen our vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surge.
|
