Essay author

Essay author

Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a particular region. The effects of climate change are far-reaching and pose significant challenges to various aspects of human life and the environment. This essay will discuss the effects of climate change based on scientific journals and newspaper articles. One prominent effect of climate change is the rise in global temperatures. Scientific journals such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that the Earth's average surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era (IPCC, 2018). This temperature rise has resulted in numerous consequences, including melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The melting of polar ice caps due to climate change is a significant concern. According to a study published in the journal Nature, Greenland's ice sheet lost an average of 260 billion metric tons of ice per year between 2002 and 2016 (Shepherd et al., 2018). This loss contributes to rising sea levels, which can lead to coastal erosion, flooding, and the displacement of coastal communities. Furthermore, climate change has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Newspaper articles often highlight the devastating impacts of hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts. For instance, a newspaper article from The Guardian reported that Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas in 2017, caused widespread damage and resulted in billions of dollars in losses (Milman, 2018). These extreme weather events not only endanger lives but also disrupt ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure. Beyond environmental consequences, climate change also has social and economic implications. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the impact of climate change on public health, including increased risks of heat-related illnesses, infectious diseases, and malnutrition (WHO, n.d.). Additionally, economic costs associated with climate change include damages to infrastructure, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased healthcare expenditures. In conclusion, climate change has wide-ranging effects on various aspects of human life and the environment. The rise in global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, more frequent extreme weather events, and social and economic impacts are all consequences of climate change. Acknowledging these effects is crucial in developing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. References: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ Milman, O. (2018, March 16). Hurricane Harvey's toxic impact deeper than public told. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/15/hurricane-harveys-toxic-impact-deeper-than-public-told Shepherd, A., Ivins, E. R., & Barletta, V. R. et al. (2018). Mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet from 1992 to 2018. Nature, 579(7798), 233-239. World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Climate change and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health