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Devastating
effects of climate change on people
September
2004
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What is the major culprit for climate change? Human activity generating increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions in atmosphere. These emissions do not stop on frontiers and therefore this is a global problem. |
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Temperature increase could trigger serious consequences for humanity and other life forms alike. A rise in sea levels could flood coastal areas and small islands. Additionally a greater frequency and severity of extreme weather events could be induced. |
If people were asked about the most important factor contributing to their quality of life, what do you think that they would most commonly answer?
Someone could say that the major concern would be their job and standard of living. However this is not what was found from a Flash Eurobarometer Survey at the request of European Commission's Environment DG.
The results of this important survey of 7.500 people showed:
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Additionally the participants to the Flash Eurobarometer Survey, were asked about the local problems affecting them the most.
Traffic congestion, noise pollution, lack of green areas, inadequate civil protection measures in the event of natural or industrial disasters, damage to the landscape, and poor quality of bathing waters were the main factors relevant to their local environment preoccupying them.
The dramatic natural disasters that we have witnessed in various regions in America and other countries during the past few months, show in the most obvious way how devastating impact can have climate changes on entire populations.
What is the major culprit for climate change? Human activity generating increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions in atmosphere. These emissions do not stop on frontiers and therefore this is a global problem.
Among other factors, economic development and ever increasing consumption are creating constantly increasing amounts of waste. All over the world, landfills are the most common method of waste disposal. Quite often landfill sites are badly managed. In other cases they are illegal.
Overall landfills have a potential of threatening ecosystems and human health. It is well established that heavy metals or toxins leak in to the air and soil. It is therefore imperative that all relevant authorities, put in action measures to control the landfill sites from growing larger and more hazardous.
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Scientific evidence shows that the Earth’s average surface
temperature rose by around 0.6°C during the 20th century.
Additionally evidence is getting stronger that most of the global warming over the last 50 years, is attributable to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which cause emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. |
A consensus projection by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, indicates that global average surface temperatures will rise by 1.4-5.8°C by the end of this century, if no measures are taken to limit actual practices.
Temperature increase could trigger serious consequences for humanity and other life forms alike. A rise in sea levels of an estimated 9-88 cm over this period, could flood coastal areas and small islands, and induce greater frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Climate change, is one of the greatest environmental and economic threats facing the planet and humanity. The management of this complex problem should be a top policy priority for governments and international organizations.
The limitation of noxious gazes emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2), improvement of energy efficiency by promoting measures such as the generation of electricity from renewable energy, commitments by car makers to reduce CO2 emissions and measures affecting the taxation of energy products are among the first initiatives to implement in order to face this challenging and ever threatening situation.
Bibliography:
Environmental Protection Agency
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