“ECHOES OF A WARMING PLANET: A LITERARY EXPLORATION OF CLIMATE

CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS”

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever gone out on an afternoon to somehow take a breath of fresh air but

instantly regretted the decision because then you realize that the temperature is too hot than

you’d like it to be. You then take a trip down memory lane and realize that indeed, the

temperature has been too hot these days. Yes, the surface air temperature has risen by 1

degree Celsius or 1.8-degree Fahrenheit since 1900 according to National Academy of

Science (2020).

Climate change is a subject that researchers have extensively studied for numerous

years (Seymour, 2018). Through the examination of the fossil record we have gained insights,

into Earths environments long before human existence. Presently we find ourselves in an era

where advancements in knowledge not only allow us to accurately determine the age of our

planet but also understand the broader cosmos. However, despite these achievements there

are still unanswered questions that hold significant implications for our future wellbeing. As

our society experiences a period of warming there exists ongoing debate and uncertainty

surrounding the exact nature of this change, among both experts and the general public.

Climate change, characterized by long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, poses

a significant and multifaceted challenge to humanity in the 21st century. Primarily driven by

human activities that release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, climate change

is demonstrably causing the Earth to warm at an unprecedented rate (Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change, 2021).

 Undeniably, it is one of the most pressing issues of our time. It has become

increasingly clear supported by lines of evidence that human activities are indeed impacting

the Earth’s climate. We have observed warming in both the atmosphere and oceans leading to

rising sea levels and substantial reduction in Arctic Sea ice. These climate related changes are

having effects on both humans and wildlife. We're witnessing consequences such as flooding,

heatwaves and wildfires that have resulted in billions of dollars in damage. Moreover, shifts

in temperature and precipitation patterns are causing transformations in habitats.

Causes and Evidence of Climate Change

Human Activities

Based on all gathered evidence, the scientist through understanding and studying the

basics of physics, observation results analysis, and fingerprinting the intricate patterns have

seen that the recent causes of climate change is largely from human activities.

Scientists know that recent climate change is largely caused by human activities from

an understanding of basic physics, comparing observations with models, and fingerprinting

the detailed patterns of climate changes caused by different human and natural influences.

The expected changes in climate are based on our understanding of how greenhouse affects

climate. Greenhouse gases affect the Earth’s energy balance as well. The leading driver of

shifts in global temperatures is the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as coal, oil, and

natural gas, which emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide gas into the air above our planet

(NASA, 2023). Additional contributing aspects involve the reduction of forest coverage,

industrial procedures, and agricultural methods that discharge extra heat-trapping gases like

methane and nitrous oxide (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021).

 The clearest evidence for surface warming comes from broad thermometer records

dating back to the late 1800s in some regions. Nowadays temperature readings are collected

from sites, including both land and ocean areas. To better understand the temperature changes

scientists also use data from tree rings and ice cores to compare them with records. Based on

these estimates it is evident that the 30-year period, from 1989 to 2019 was highly likely the

warmest in over 800 years. Moreover, recent data shows that the decade spanning from 2010

to 2019 was particularly noteworthy, in terms of rising Earth surface temperatures.

Natural Causes

Unfortunately, climate change isn’t only made by people. There are also natural

causes of why climate change occurs. For millions and millions of years, it has been

discovered that climate change could happen due to the activity of the plate tectonics. The

land plates that form new ocean and powerfully move continents throughout is one of the

factors why there is climate change. This is according to one of the studies of the

Paleontological Research Institution (2020). For instance, plate tectonic activities cause

volcanism, and make volcanic activities longer than they should be which results to more

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Furthermore, because of these volcanic activities, new

rocks are generated from the magma that came from the inside of the that oozes out and cools

down on the surface. This stays true even for underwater volcanoes. However, its new rock

formations displace the ocean water, and the global seal level will increase. This happening

can cause changes in the sea level, which in connection affects how the heat is distributed.

This phenomenon further impacts climate change.

 EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has been seen to affect aspects of human life. These impacts are already felt

and seen not only in the Philippines but all around the world. Th worst part is these effects

can be more severe in the years to come if left untreated. Some of the most significant

impacts of climate change include:

Loss of Biodiversity:

Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are causing species extinction and

ecological disturbance (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021). The aggressive

rise of the temperature changes what can grow and live in an ecosystem. There is enough

evidence that show reduced values in water vapor in the atmosphere dating years back has

resulted in approximately 59% of vegetated and heathy areas showing signs of browning,

drying, which means growth rates has declined dramatically worldwide.

Not only does this rise in temperature affect the land but also the ocean and the marine life in

it (Muluneh, 2021). Corals, who are particularly vulnerable to extreme changes in the

temperature and acidification, make it difficult for them to form shells and hard skeletons.

Not only corals are affected but also marine algae blooms are observed to be affected in this

phenomenon.

Rising sea levels:

As a result of the substantial rises in our temperature, it has been concluded that climate

change causes global level rise (Zavaleta, 2000). As sea water and levels rise, the intrusion of

saltwater into freshwater causes the groundwater basin and well water to increase in salinity.
This might lead to a lower crop yield and jeopardize the availability of safe drinking water

(Naylor, 2002). This poses a risk that anyone who consumes salinized water may develop

diarrhea, and the risk of hypertension will increase.

Extreme Weather Events

Electricity, heat, and transportation- these life sustaining needs are possible to obtain

due to burning of fossil fuels. This then results in carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, trapping

solar radiation and is released into the atmosphere (Wenig, 2023). This daily occurrence

results in a massive increase in carbon dioxide, methane, and many more harmful gases that

adds up to the reason why the rise excessively. That certain spike in the temperatures we

experience fuels disasters that our climate brings. The hot temperature gets hotter. Wildfires

burn longer and even go wider and further (Hobbie, 2019). Hurricanes are becoming more

and more intense as each one passes by. The drought continues to persist and shows up with

no warning. The fast rising of the sea level causes flooding and destruction of property.

Winter storms hit harder these days. Almost all the weather events get more and more

extreme in the midst of climate change.

Disruption of Food Systems

Because of the excessive and extreme changes in the weather, crops production gets

disrupted, and even the livestock of the people is very much affected. The rising temperature

and the changing precipitation of the atmosphere causes land destruction, damages the

produce, and therefore supply gets ruined and eventually falls short (USGCRP, 2021). Both

too much and too little rain harms the plants, fruits, and vegetables and can bring an even

bigger devastation to the ground on which they grow. The scorching waves of heat which are
expected to happen more often can easily harm and endanger livestock as well. With both

plants and animals being harmed, the food systems are disrupted and produce less and less.

The continuous disruption of food systems can create a far-reaching consequence beyond

food security. When food is not enough, it can lead to social unrest, instability, and even

chaos- as people compete for scarce resources.

Disease Spread

The continuous and unpredictable pattern of weather and temperature is not only

harmful to the surroundings but to the people as well. As the temperature in hot places get

even hotter, it gives the insect-carrying diseases the perfect opportunity to double in number.

As the surrounding warms, mosquitoes roam far beyond the habitat, spreading diseases like

malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and west Nile virus. Mordecai (2019) believes that one way

we can intervene with this problem is to learn the growth of the disease and the factors it can

affect.

Loss of Cultural Heritage

INERVENTIONS AND ACTIONS TAKEN

-add
Conclusion
 REFERENCES

Black, R., Busby, J. W., Dabelko, G. D., De Coning, C., Maalim, H., McAllister, C.,

Ndiloseh, M., Smith, D., Cóbar, J. F. A., Barnhoorn, A., Bell, N., Bell-Moran, D.,

Broek, E., Eberlein, A., Eklöw, K., Faller, J., Gadnert, A., Hegazi, F., Kim, K., . . .

Staudenmann, J. A. (2022). Environment of Peace: Security in a new era of risk.

https://doi.org/10.55163/lcls7037

Chapin, F. S., Zavaleta, E. S., Eviner, V. T., Naylor, R. L., Vitousek, P. M., Reynolds, H. L.,

Hooper, D. U., Lavorel, S., Sala, O. E., Hobbie, S. E., Mack, M. C., & Dı́Az, S.

(2000a). Consequences of changing biodiversity. Nature, 405(6783), 234–242.

https://doi.org/10.1038/35012241

Chapin, F. S., Zavaleta, E. S., Eviner, V. T., Naylor, R. L., Vitousek, P. M., Reynolds, H. L.,

Hooper, D. U., Lavorel, S., Sala, O. E., Hobbie, S. E., Mack, M. C., & Dı́Az, S.

(2000b). Consequences of changing biodiversity. Nature, 405(6783), 234–242.

https://doi.org/10.1038/35012241

Climate impacts on agriculture and food supply | Climate Change impacts | US EPA. (n.d.).

https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-agriculture-and-

food-supply

Guy, S. A. (2023, March 9). Speech climate risks and the Australian financial system.

Reserve Bank of Australia. https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2021/sp-dg-2021-10-

14.html

How does climate change affect biodiversity? | Royal Society. (n.d.).

https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/biodiversity/climate-change-and-

biodiversity/#:~:text=A%20major%20impact%20of%20climate,storms%20or

%20periods%20of%20drought.
How does climate change affect disease? (2019, March 15). Stanford Doerr School of

Sustainability. https://sustainability.stanford.edu/news/how-does-climate-change-

affect-disease#:~:text=As%20the%20globe%20warms%2C

%20mosquitoes,chikungunya%20and%20West%20Nile%20virus.

Muluneh, M. G. (2021). Impact of climate change on biodiversity and food security: a global

perspective—a review article. Agriculture & Food Security, 10(1).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-021-00318-5

O’Brien, K., & Leichenko, R. (2000). Double exposure: assessing the impacts of climate

change within the context of economic globalization. Global Environmental Change,

10(3), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0959-3780(00)00021-2

Paleontological Research Institution. (2020, August 23). Natural Causes of climate Change

— Earth@Home. Earth@Home. https://earthathome.org/de/what-is-climate/natural-

causes/

Sesana, E., Gagnon, A. S., Ciantelli, C., Cassar, J., & Hughes, J. J. (2021). Climate change

impacts on cultural heritage: A literature review. WIREs Climate Change, 12(4).

https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.710

Seymour, R. (2008). Understanding the global warming discussion: Climate Change as a

Context for Developing Standards-based Research Skills in Secondary School

Students.

Stern, N. (2007). The economics of climate change.

https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511817434

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, May 8). Joellen Louise Russell. Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joellen_Louise_Russell