Climate Change - 2016-2017

Climate Change, Anthropocene, & Associated Issues

Date posted: 09/30/17

The Climate Team at the Ohio State University quantifies 1) the scientific facts, 2) impacts, and 3) solutions of climate change: 1) Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxides are greenhouse gases: they trap some of the Earth’s heat, which keeps the planet warm enough for life to survive. The concentrations of these gases are increasing in the atmosphere, with the concentration of CO2 having increased 30% since 1900. Ice core records show that the current rate of CO2 increase and the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is unprecedented over the last 800,000 years. Rock records reveal that the last time atmospheric CO2 levels were this high was 3 million years ago and sea level was 22 m (72 feet) higher than it is today. We are on track to triple or quadruple CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere by 2100 compared to the year 1900. 2) The source of the added CO2 in the atmosphere is from the combustion of fossil fuels – burning oil, gas, and coal for powering our homes, cars, factories, industries, communications networks, and electrical needs – and from cement production. Animal husbandry, rice production, and fossil fuel combustion have all contributed to the increases in methane. 3) As atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases have increased, global temperatures also have increased. Over the past century, global average temperatures have increased by almost 1.8⁰F (1⁰C). We are currently on track for the planet to warm by another 7.2⁰F (4⁰C) by 2100, but with Polar regions warming by up to 18⁰F (10⁰C). To put this in perspective, the global average temperature difference between an ice age and a non-ice age is about 7.2⁰F (4⁰C). In Central Ohio, temperatures from 1951 to 2012 increased by 2.3⁰F (1.3⁰C), which is faster than the national and global rates. and read on for three more facts. Then read about the impacts: 1) Sea level rise is already starting to strain infrastructure protecting coastal property from storms and flooding, and will overwhelm low-lying nations soon. This will lead to the potential for mass migration of people inland as large areas of coastline become uninhabitable globally. Particularly vulnerable are places like Bangladesh, low-lying island nations, and southern Louisiana and Florida. 2) Severe weather events have increased over the past decades. Increases in the number of severe heat waves has resulted in human deaths and huge economic losses. Increases in the number of severe storms in some regions and increasingly severe droughts in other regions will continue over this century. This will change where crops can be grown, with many countries predicted to suffer significant decreases in crop yields leading to potential social upheaval. It will also increase the probability of severe rainfall hazards - like flooding and landslides. In Central Ohio, the number of days with 1.25 in (3.2 cm) of rain, an amount that produces nuisance flooding, has increased by 78% since 1951. Also in Ohio, climate change will lower grain yield and field viability, and increase the need for cooling and water for livestock. And read on for five more impacts.Then read about the solutions: 1) Reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Though warming is now inevitable, the degree of warming can still be minimized and the rate of warming can be dramatically slowed by changing how we source and consume our energy. If greenhouse gas emissions start to slow by 2020, we would reduce the average warming on the planet by threefold. This will give humans more time to innovate technologies to deal with climate change problems, and will minimize or slow the disruption to food crops, the number of people who will be climate change refugees, and the spread of tropical diseases. 2. There are no other viable solutions at this time but to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Physically removing CO2 from the air and pumping it into the ground or to the sea floor are economically and logistically not realistic options at this time. Untested geoengineering methods such as solar radiation management have serious risks, making such options unrealistic to be seriously considered. 3. We currently have much of the technology needed to transition to a non-fossil fuel economy. Adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies coupled with more technological innovation and planning for mass human migration and crop yield changes, will enable us to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we release in the atmosphere and to minimize the economic, social, and humanitarian disruptions that are occurring because of climate change. See further references.