Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Weather and climate are two environmental factors that affect everyday lives. However, while weather is generally observed over a short period of time, climate is seen as being relatively constant, or is observed over a much longer period of time.
As it is, the longevity of climate is decreasing – slowly but alarmingly – due to the actions of man.
Climate is related to the existence of the Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect is known as “a general warming effect felt on Earth’s surface, produced by greenhouse gases” (EPA Glossary). These greenhouse gases include methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases work by “[allowing] …show more content…
This would cause a rise in sea-level of about 80m (World Issues in Geography). For most islands, especially the low lying islands like the Bahamas, this would result in flooding of the coastal and residential areas. This causes land erosion, destruction of homes and deaths of families and leads to millions of dollars in repairs. Even lower lying islands may disappear completely or almost completely from the rise in sea level. Add to this that climate change may cause a rise in hurricane tendencies because of the unsteady weather patterns and the cost of remaining inactive against Global Warming and Climate Change skyrockets.
It must be noted that these envisioned effects of Global Warming may not occur for decades or even for a half-century. However, the needs of the future generations must always be kept in mind, which is the basis for Sustainability.
Sustainability or Sustainable Development, defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987), is a widely discussed topic in the world …show more content…
Garbage disposals should aim to have separations between organic/raw and inorganic waste. The organic waste can be utilized in biogas digesters, along with “industrial, domestic or commercial organic waste and agricultural waste materials and energy crops”. By the process of fermentation in these waste materials, the cleaner form of energy biogas is produced, which can be used for cooking purposes and as a fuel for vehicles that use natural gas.
Another step to sustainability is converting from the large scale use of crude oil and coal to natural gas which is a cleaner source of energy, that produce equal amounts of energy to crude oil and coal but with much less CO2 emission. Natural gas, however, is still a non-renewable resource but it is also cheaper to access than the other fossil fuels because it is currently in surplus.
International forums on Climate Change and Global Warming must continue to be held, in addition to the education of the general populace in each country as to how their daily activities contribute to the possibility of Global
Weather and climate are two environmental factors that affect everyday lives. However, while weather is generally observed over a short period of time, climate is seen as being relatively constant, or is observed over a much longer period of time.
As it is, the longevity of climate is decreasing – slowly but alarmingly – due to the actions of man.
Climate is related to the existence of the Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect is known as “a general warming effect felt on Earth’s surface, produced by greenhouse gases” (EPA Glossary). These greenhouse gases include methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases work by “[allowing] …show more content…
This would cause a rise in sea-level of about 80m (World Issues in Geography). For most islands, especially the low lying islands like the Bahamas, this would result in flooding of the coastal and residential areas. This causes land erosion, destruction of homes and deaths of families and leads to millions of dollars in repairs. Even lower lying islands may disappear completely or almost completely from the rise in sea level. Add to this that climate change may cause a rise in hurricane tendencies because of the unsteady weather patterns and the cost of remaining inactive against Global Warming and Climate Change skyrockets.
It must be noted that these envisioned effects of Global Warming may not occur for decades or even for a half-century. However, the needs of the future generations must always be kept in mind, which is the basis for Sustainability.
Sustainability or Sustainable Development, defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987), is a widely discussed topic in the world …show more content…
Garbage disposals should aim to have separations between organic/raw and inorganic waste. The organic waste can be utilized in biogas digesters, along with “industrial, domestic or commercial organic waste and agricultural waste materials and energy crops”. By the process of fermentation in these waste materials, the cleaner form of energy biogas is produced, which can be used for cooking purposes and as a fuel for vehicles that use natural gas.
Another step to sustainability is converting from the large scale use of crude oil and coal to natural gas which is a cleaner source of energy, that produce equal amounts of energy to crude oil and coal but with much less CO2 emission. Natural gas, however, is still a non-renewable resource but it is also cheaper to access than the other fossil fuels because it is currently in surplus.
International forums on Climate Change and Global Warming must continue to be held, in addition to the education of the general populace in each country as to how their daily activities contribute to the possibility of Global