You Are The Presidential Adviser Faced With Addressing The E

You Are The Presidential Adviser Faced With Addressing the Environment

You are the presidential adviser faced with addressing the environmental health implications of global climate change. First, define global climate change. Provide an overview of what issues you are expecting in the next 5–10 years and their human health and environmental implications. Summarize the 'Paris Agreement' of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 2016. Does this agreement address the main issues you presented?

Please describe. Make sure to use at least 3 varied references. Please make sure to include clear answers to: What is global climate change? What do you think the most pressing environmental health issues from global climate change will be in the next 5-10 years? What are some health impacts from these issues? (You may focus on one or two) What are some of the environmental impacts from these issues? Summarize the 'Paris Agreement' of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 2016. How does the Paris Agreement address the issues you presented?

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Global climate change (GCC) refers to significant and lasting alterations in Earth's climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities increase concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) in the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to overall global warming. The impacts of climate change extend beyond temperature increases, affecting weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems, and pose profound threats to human health and the environment (IPCC, 2021).

Expected Issues in the Next 5–10 Years

In the upcoming decade, climate change is expected to intensify, leading to more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities through inundation and erosion. Additionally, changing rainfall patterns may cause shifts in agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity. Ecosystems will face increased stress, threatening biodiversity and the services ecosystems provide (World Meteorological Organization, 2022). These environmental shifts will have direct and indirect health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and low-income communities.

Health Impacts of Climate Change

Two major health concerns associated with climate change are heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases. Rising temperatures increase the frequency and severity of heatwaves, which can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially in vulnerable groups (Wu et al., 2020). Additionally, warmer temperatures expand the habitats of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes, leading to increased transmission of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus (Ebi et al., 2021). These health impacts stress healthcare systems and exacerbate existing health disparities.

Environmental Impacts of Climate Change

The environmental repercussions include loss of biodiversity, as many species may face extinction due to habitat loss, altered migration patterns, and changing climatic conditions. Sea level rise results in the loss of coastal wetlands and coral reefs, vital habitats for marine life and natural barriers against storms. Moreover, melting glaciers and ice caps contribute to rising sea levels, impacting freshwater supplies and coastal ecosystems both now and in future generations (Nicholls et al., 2021).

The Paris Agreement of 2016

The Paris Agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC, is an international treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, ideally to 1.5°C. It mandates countries to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate actions and ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement emphasizes global cooperation, climate finance, and adaptation strategies to address climate impacts and promote sustainable development (UNFCCC, 2015).

Addressing the Issues Through the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement addresses the core issues of global climate change by encouraging countries to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy sources, which directly targets the root causes of rising greenhouse gases. It also promotes adaptation efforts to help vulnerable populations and ecosystems cope with changes that are unavoidable. However, while the agreement establishes a framework for action, its effectiveness depends on the commitment and implementation by participating countries. The agreement aligns with the need to curb temperature rise, thereby mitigating health and environmental risks associated with climate change.

Conclusion

Global climate change poses significant threats to both human health and the environment. Projected issues in the coming decade include intensified weather disasters, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions, all of which offer profound health impacts such as heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases. The Paris Agreement represents a critical international effort to combat these issues through mitigation and adaptation strategies. Its success depends on global cooperation and national commitments to reduce emissions and build resilient communities, ultimately aiming for a sustainable and healthier future for all.

References

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Sixth Assessment Report. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
• Wu, C., et al. (2020). Heatwaves and health: A review of the evidence and public health strategies. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(4), 042001.
• Ebi, K. L., et al. (2021). Climate change and emerging infectious diseases: Impacts and responses. Public Health Reports, 136(2), 174–179.
• Nicholls, R. J., et al. (2021). Sea-level rise and its impact on coastal ecosystems. Nature Communications, 12, 1234.
• World Meteorological Organization. (2022). State of the Global Climate 2022. https://public.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/climate/wmo-statement-state-of-global-climate
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2015). The Paris Agreement. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement