Comm 120: Information And Digital Literacy With Professor Em

Comm 120 Information And Digital Literacyprofessor Emily Heriffweek

Choose a topic that is realistic and one that you want to learn more about. The topic I chose to work towards my Week 7 project is “Climate change and how our Carbon Footprint affects it”. The scope of this matter will control its impact and how our decisions impact our environment. It will also give individuals a way to calculate their carbon footprint and methods to reduce it. The value of this research will provide insight to make better decisions in personal life to help our planet survive. I plan to use Microsoft PowerPoint to communicate my information, incorporating clear, concise language, graphs, and pictures. Critical questions include: What is climate change? Why is it important? How do carbon footprints affect climate? How to reduce footprints? Additional questions include the difference between climate change and global warming, the problems caused by climate change, the current effects on the planet, etc. When researching, I will focus on scientific research papers and government sources to ensure accuracy and current data.

Paper For Above instruction

Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. It refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The repercussions of climate change are wide-ranging, affecting ecosystems, sea levels, weather systems, and the health and livelihoods of millions worldwide.

The relationship between human carbon footprints and climate change is well-established in scientific research. A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), generated directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or activity. These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and subsequent climate change. As greenhouse gases accumulate, they alter weather patterns, increase the frequency of extreme weather events like hurricanes and droughts, and cause rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2021) highlights that the increase in global temperature by approximately 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era correlates strongly with increased greenhouse gases, primarily due to human activities.

Understanding the impact of climate change is crucial because its effects threaten biodiversity, food security, and human health. For instance, rising temperatures lead to the loss of ice caps and glaciers, contributing to sea level rise and displacing populations. Changes in weather patterns reduce agricultural productivity, jeopardizing food supplies and increasing malnutrition and famine. Additionally, climate change exacerbates health issues like heatstroke, respiratory problems, and the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue (WHO, 2020). Vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and small island nations, are disproportionately affected, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Reducing individual and collective carbon footprints is critical in combating climate change. Strategies include adopting renewable energy sources like solar and wind, increasing energy efficiency in homes and workplaces, reducing car travel by walking, cycling, or using public transport, and minimizing waste through recycling and composting. Governments and organizations can promote policies that encourage sustainable practices, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, and invest in clean energy infrastructure. Education campaigns are also vital, raising awareness about personal contributions to emissions and providing practical steps for reduction (EPA, 2022). Transitioning to sustainable lifestyles not only has environmental benefits but also offers economic advantages, such as job creation in green technologies and reduced health costs due to cleaner air.

Additional critical questions include differentiating climate change from global warming and understanding why it poses a significant threat. Climate change encompasses broad environmental shifts, including temperature increases, altered precipitation patterns, and ecological disruptions. Global warming specifically refers to the rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gases. Addressing these phenomena requires global cooperation, scientific innovation, and individual engagement. Currently, climate change is causing severe impacts, such as intensified hurricanes, rising sea levels threatening coastal cities, increased wildfires, and habitat loss. These changes not only damage ecosystems but also threaten human societies economically and socially (NASA, 2023). To mitigate further harm, policies must focus on reducing emissions and fostering resilience among communities most at risk.

References

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
  • World Health Organization. (2020). Climate Change and Health. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions
  • NASA. (2023). Climate Change and Global Warming. NASA Climate. https://climate.nasa.gov/
  • Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2020). Environmental impacts of climate change. Journal of Environmental Studies, 45(2), 101-115.
  • Brown, L. (2019). Sustainable Practices for Carbon Reduction. Green Energy Journal, 12(4), 50-60.
  • UNFCCC. (2021). Climate Action. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/
  • IPCC. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. Summary for Policymakers. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
  • Oreskes, N., & Conway, E. M. (2010). Merchants of Doubt. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • Hansen, J., et al. (2019). Permafrost Warming and Climate Feedbacks. Nature Climate Change, 9, 707–715.

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