|
|
5 Things You Need to Know About Climate Change
By Jennifer Olvera
Leading Human Causes of Climate Change
Burning fossil fuels – such as coal, oil, and natural gas – creates carbon dioxide (CO2), a "greenhouse gas" that's widely suspected of making the earth warmer by trapping energy in the atmosphere. So, it's not surprising that carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles and trucks would be viewed as significant sources that contribute to climate change. As a result, many of the major automobile makers are feeling the push to consider the "carbon intensity" of their vehicles and create cars that are not only more fuel efficient but also strive to meet increasingly stringent CO2 emissions requirements.
Living Things are Affected by Climate Change
Ecosystems and biodiversity are directly affected by climate change, a fact that is evidenced by a decrease in species' natural habitats and an increase in the rate of animal and plant extinction. A loss of biodiversity – which can be attributed to changes in temperature, soil composition, and rainfall – disturbs how ecosystems function. Because the life cycles of animals and plants are naturally intertwined with the changing of seasons, variant changes in temperature, length of daylight, precipitation, and temperature can cause interdependent species to no longer remain in harmony. Other potential concerns revolve around changes in animal hibernation, overwintering of weeds and invasive plant species, increased forest fires due to drier temperatures, floods, and insect plagues.
Extreme Weather is of Immediate Concern
Environmental groups have been warning people about the dangers of global warming for some time, a reality that already may have manifested itself in extreme – often dangerous – weather patterns, such as more frequent, stronger, and increasingly destructive hurricanes, an increasing number of "super-storms," and flooding. Some scientists are concerned that while some areas may see a dramatic increase in precipitation, other areas might experience extreme drought or even colder than normal temperatures.
Human Health Can Be Affected
Health-related problems, such as heat stress due to an excess number of hot, humid days, may be directly linked to climate change. Unfortunately, the poor are most susceptible to such health concerns because they lack the resources to prevent and treat problems when they arise. Warmer temperatures also could change the seasonality of infectious diseases like malaria and food-borne illnesses, both of which are at their peak during warmer months.
Individuals Can Make a Difference
Inevitably, people release greenhouse gasses when they drive, grow crops, raise livestock, use electricity, and create waste. When it comes to cars, purchasing the most fuel-efficient vehicle possible – either hybrid or conventionally powered – can substantially reduce your carbon footprint. As they become more readily available, electric cars, biodiesel vehicles, and ultimately cars that run on hydrogen fuel cell technology would be ideal. Regardless of the type of vehicle you have, however, you can do things to lower emissions by improving your fuel efficiency through better driving habits, including avoiding extreme accelerations, making sure tires are properly inflated, reducing idling time, and limiting trunk weight.
Jennifer Olvera, a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, has been writing professionally for over a decade. In addition to covering the "green scene" for publications such as Where Magazine and Crain's, she has become one of the preeminent dining, food, and entertainment writers in Chicago. She has regularly been published in Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Zagat, Citysearch.com, and Gayot.com.
|
|
Subscribe to Green Car Journal Now!
|
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
