M13: CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENERGY CRISIS
Weather - is defined as short-term changes Driving Forces of Climate Change
in atmospheric variables such as the Aside from natural phenomena,
temperature, precipitation, wind, and human activities have also heavily
barometric pressure in a given area over a contributed to global warming and climate
period of hours or days. change. These activities have not only
heavily affected the Earth’s climate change.
Climate - is determined by the average Greenhouse gases such as
weather conditions of the Earth or of a water vapor,
particular area, particularly temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂),
precipitation, over a period of time. methane (CH4),
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
There have been increasing experiences of nitrous oxides (N2O), and
extreme weather patterns in the last 30 perfluorocarbons (PFCs, such as
years. Scientists are also concerned with CF4)
the alarming increase in the Earth’s
atmospheric temperature, a phenomenon have remained in the atmosphere for almost
called global warming or climate change. 50,000 years. The rise in the level of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the
Climate change - is defined as a global or atmosphere also increased the global
regional change in the climatic patterns temperature. These gases trap and absorb
brought by the increase in atmospheric heat in the atmosphere. Keeping this energy
carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuels and for a longer period in a process called the
other human activities. greenhouse effect.
According to United Nations Framework Majority of human activities contribute to
Convention on Climate Change global warming. This include fossil fuel
(UNFCCC), climate change is caused combustion (49%), agriculture (13%),
directly or indirectly by human activities. deforestation (14%), and industrial
processes (24%).
Climate change is not unusual. In the past ● Rise in global temperatures – in
3.5 billion years, the planet’s climate has the last 35 years, Earth experienced
been changing because of natural its warmest years, the highest record
phenomena such as: having been recorded in 2016. In
- asteroid collisions that year, 8 our of 12 months from
- volcanic eruptions January to September with the
- solar input exception of June were noted to
- shifting of tectonic plates that alter have the highest temperature
wind and ocean patterns. ● Rise in ocean temperature – As
The planet has experienced long periods of the average global temperature
global warming and global cooling over the rises, the ocean temperature also
past 900,000 years known as glacial and rises. This change affects marine life
interglacial (between ice periods) cycles. and biodiversity.
These events changed the Earth’s ● El Niño – With the changes in
atmosphere over a long time. atmospheric circulations near the
M13: CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENERGY CRISIS
equatorial Pacific, warm spells and floods are increasing, causing
droughts in nearby countries massive destruction to communities.
intensify.
● Melting of ice sheets – ice sheets CAUSES AN EFFECTS OF CLIMATE
are continually melting in Greenland CHANGE ON ENERGY
and Antartica and have decreased ● The use of fossil fuels greatly
in mass. According to the data from contributes to global warming and
NASA’s Gravity Recovery and climate change
Climate Experiment, 150 to 250 ● A recent study shows that by 2040,
km3 (36--60 mi3) of ice were lost in the rising water temperature might
Greenland per year between 2002 diminish the water supply that is
and 2006. From 2002 to 2005, about needed for energy production.
152 km3 (36 mi3) of ice were lost in ● Given the high demand for energy
Antarctica. consumption, power plants around
● Glacial retreat – With the increasing the world will have difficulties in
temperature, the glaciers in the meeting the needs of the people.
Himalayas, Mt. Kilimanjaro, ● Climate change and global warming
Andes, Rockies, Alaska, and causes a rise in droughts and heat
Africa are melting at an alarming waves, which threaten the water
rate. resources for power plants in the
● Decreasing snow cover – Satellite world.
images reveal that the amount of ● A study has claimed that the world’s
spring snow cover in the Northern energgy production is projected to
Hemisphere has greatly decreased be significantly affected by the
in the past five decades, thereby impacts of climate change.
endangering the biodiversity in these ● Researchers from Wageningen
areas. University in the Netherlands
● Rise in sea level - The melting of calculated that between 2040 and
ice sheets, snow covers, and polar 2069, roughly 60% of hydroelectric
ice caps contribute to the rise in the plants and thermoelectric plants
sea level. The extension of seawater would decrease in electricity
farther inland can cause wetland production.
flooding, soil erosion, contamination ● According to reports, power-
of agricultural soil and aquifers, and generating plants are dependent on
loss of animal habitat. This can also water availability and particular
threaten human communities with water tempe, which is needed for the
floods. Is estimated that the gloval cooling of thermoelectric power
sea level rises by about 3 mm a generation.
year. ● The same researchers predicted that
● Extreme events – Temperatures the annual capacities of hydropower
have been racing higher levels in plant stations and thermoelectric
warmer climates and lower levels in power plants will continue to
colder climates. The number of decrease, emphasizing the
episodes of intense rainfall and
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importance of alternative sources of
energy.
Given the growing energy crisis, countries
are resorting to alternative sources of
energy such as solar, wind, biomass, wave,
and tidal energies. Energy conservation is
encouraged, and countries around the world
are coordinating efforts to promote
sustainable energy. Agreements and
protocols are being made to minimize the
production of carbon dioxide and promote
the efficient use of energy.
