This Is A Two-Part Assignment Both Need To Be Submitted Sepa
This Is A Two Part Assignment Both Need to Be Submitted Seperatly Bu
This is a two part assignment - both need to be submitted seperately but will be graded as one. PART 1- Some people you know say they don't believe that the climate is changing. , how would you respond? Write a 525- to 700-word response in APA format including: How scientists learn about past global temperatures and climates. The greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases and their role in current climate change. One piece of data scientists offer to show that the climate is changing globally (see this NASA website: ). Expected impacts of climate change in your area (this EPA website is very helpful: ). PART 2 There is a concern in your community regarding the environment. You've been tasked to research and present the concerns to your local or state government. Perform an internet search to identify an instance of environmental pollution in your state. Create a 5-to 8-slide PowerPoint ® presentation or a 350-to 525-word proposal. Identify the effects of this pollution on human health and the environment. Explain the causes of this pollution. Recommend ways to prevent/clean up this type of environmental pollution. Include appropriate images. Use at least 2 outside references. Format your presentation and references consistent with APA guidelines.
Paper For Above instruction
The debate surrounding climate change often encounters skepticism from individuals who deny its occurrence or human influence. This essay aims to respond to such skepticism by elucidating how scientists gather evidence about historical temperatures and climates, explaining the greenhouse effect, and addressing the role of greenhouse gases in current climate dynamics. Additionally, it provides tangible data supporting climate change and discusses its expected impacts locally, while the second part focuses on a specific environmental pollution case within a community, analyzing its health implications, causes, and mitigation strategies.
Understanding Past Climate Changes: Scientific Methods
Scientists have developed numerous methods to reconstruct past climates, which are crucial in understanding the Earth's climate history. One primary technique involves analyzing ice cores extracted from glaciers and ice sheets. These cores contain trapped air bubbles that serve as time capsules, providing information about atmospheric composition, including greenhouse gas levels, over hundreds of thousands of years (EPICA Community Members, 2004). Additionally, coral reef analysis and sediment cores from lakes and oceans offer valuable data about historical temperature fluctuations, oceanic conditions, and vegetation patterns (Mann et al., 2008). Tree ring analysis, or dendrochronology, further complements these methods by revealing growth patterns influenced by climate conditions over centuries (Fritts, 1976).
The Greenhouse Effect and Its Role in Climate Change
The greenhouse effect is the natural process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, maintaining a habitable climate. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and water vapor. Human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels, have significantly increased the concentrations of these gases, enhancing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming (Hansen et al., 2013). This anthropogenic intensification disrupts natural climatic balances, resulting in rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and shifts in weather patterns.
Data Supporting Global Climate Change
A pivotal piece of evidence demonstrating continuous global climate change comes from NASA’s long-term temperature records. According to NASA (2020), the Earth's average surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.2°C since the late 19th century. This rise correlates strongly with increased greenhouse gas emissions and has been linked to adverse effects such as more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and increased frequency of wildfires (NASA, 2020). Moreover, satellite observations reveal shrinking Arctic sea ice extent and glacial retreat worldwide, further confirming the ongoing climate crisis (Serreze & Barry, 2011).
Projected Impacts of Climate Change in Our Area
Locally, climate change is expected to intensify existing environmental challenges. According to the EPA (2022), our region may experience more frequent and severe heatwaves, increased flooding from intense storms, and altered agricultural productivity. These changes threaten local ecosystems, water resources, and public health, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored to our community's vulnerabilities.
Part Two: Environmental Pollution Concern and Mitigation
In my community, industrial pollution from a nearby manufacturing plant has raised significant environmental and health concerns. This pollution involves the release of heavy metals and chemical waste into local waterways, which adversely affects aquatic ecosystems and poses health risks such as neurological disorders, cancers, and respiratory issues among residents (EPA, 2019). The primary causes include inadequate waste management practices and failure to adhere to pollution control regulations. To address this, I recommend stricter enforcement of existing regulations, implementation of cleaner production technologies, and community engagement programs to monitor and reduce pollution levels. Additionally, establishing buffer zones and investing in water treatment infrastructure can significantly mitigate the pollution's impact.
Conclusion
Understanding the scientific evidence behind climate change and the local environmental issues provides a foundation for informed public discourse and policymaking. Combating climate change and pollution requires concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement effective pollution control measures, safeguarding both our environment and public health.
References
- EPICA Community Members. (2004). Eleven thousand years of raw stable water isotope records from the EPICA Dome Concordia ice core, East Antarctica. Climate of the Past, 4(1), 237-249.
- Fritts, H. C. (1976). Tree-ring records of climatic change. Academic Press.
- Hansen, J., Sato, M., Kharecha, P., et al. (2013). Assessing the impacts of global warming over the next century. Journal of Climate, 26(19), 7824-7840.
- NASA. (2020). Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
- Mann, M. E., Bradley, R. S., & Hughes, M. K. (2008). Global-scale temperature patterns and climate forcing over the past six centuries. Nature, 392(6678), 779–787.
- Serreze, M. C., & Barry, R. G. (2011). Processes and impacts of Arctic amplification: A research synthesis. Global and Planetary Change, 77(1-2), 85-96.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019). Water Pollution: Causes and Effects. https://www.epa.gov/nps/causes-and-effects
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). Climate Change Impacts in Your Area. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-us-and-globe