VARGAS, Adrian Jeremiah C.

A.B. PoSc IRFS Econ-4

Advanced Communication Arts for Political Science Majors MW 1:30-3:00

P.M. EH406MC 2/1/17

“The Occurrence and the Negative Effects of Climate Change”

Climate change is happening in the world. According to the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration, there are many occurrences that point to
climate change as its root cause. Carbon dioxide levels have never been above 300
parts per million up until the 1950s. Sea levels have risen to 6.7 inches in the past
century, increasing at a rate double of the 19 th century’s. Global temperature has
been shown to increase as well. Since 2001, 15 years have been the warmest on
the record. Especially alarming to note is the fact that 2015 was the first year to
have been a degree Celsius hotter than the 1880-1899 record average.

As climate change is occurring, it has brought with it many negative effects.

As stated by the Union of Concerned Scientists, rising sea levels cause more
flooding hazards in low-lying communities. Rising sea levels result to more
shoreline erosion and degradation because it allows waves to travel further into
the land. The saltwater from the seas will also reach the groundwater of land,
causing the water to become undrinkable due to its high salinity. Most alarmingly,
high sea levels have the potential to submerge coastal lands. Even countries such
as the Maldives will be completely submerged.

In addition to rising sea levels, climate change also allows extreme

calamities to occur. The Philippines has been the most recent victim of this
negative effect. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda had sustained winds of 315
kilometers/hour and gusts that rose to 380 kilometers/hour. The concluded damage
of Yolanda after six months was estimated to be at P89, 598, 068, 634.88 with a
death toll of 6,300 and 28, 689 injured. Aside from hurricanes, extreme calamities
brought about by climate change could also be in the form of extreme heatwaves,
droughts, and even species that are harmful to plants.
 Finally, climate change affects the world’s supply. It disrupts production due
to more frequent heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts all around the globe.
Because of how often both mild and extreme calamities occur, the food supply is
adversely affected. Such events lead to food shortages in many places of the world,
which leads to hunger and starvation in more communities. Prices for food will
increase drastically due to the lack of supply and the overarching demand for
them.

All in all, this is important for humankind to fully understand the grave
consequences that come along with climate change. Countries have a stake in
preventing the potential harm that could be inflicted on their citizens. Truly, it is
everyone’s duty to keep the world a safer place, both for you and for me.

References

Earth Changes Media. (n.d.). Super Typhoon Haiyan, One of Strongest Storms
Ever, Hits Central Philippines. Retrieved from Earth Changes Media:
https://www.earthchangesmedia.com/super-typhoon-haiyan-one-of-strongest-
storms-ever-hits-central-philippines
Locsin, J. (2014, 17 April). NDRRMC: Yolanda Death Toll Hits 6,300 Mark Nearly
Six Months After Typhoon. Retrieved from GMA Network:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/357322/news/nation/ndrrmc-
yolanda-death-toll-hits-6-300-mark-nearly-6-months-after-typhoon
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). Climate Change: How Do
We Know? Retrieved from Global Climate Change - Vital Signs of the Planet:
http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
National Geographic. (n.d.). Effects of Global Warming. Retrieved from National
Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-
warming/global-warming-effects/
Union of Concerned Scientists. (2013). Causes of Sea Level Rise: What the Science
Tells Us (2013). Retrieved from Union of Concerned Scientists - Science for
a Healthy Planet and Safer World:
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/causes
-of-sea-level-rise.html#.WJHZCvl95aQ
Union of Concerned Scientists. (n.d.). Global Warming Impacts. Retrieved from
Union of Concerned Scientists - Science for a Healthy Planet and Safer
World: http://www.ucsusa.org/our-work/global-warming/science-and-
impacts/global-warming-impacts#.WJHSMvl95aQ