CLIMATE CHANGE: CAN WE SAVE THE WORLD FROM DISATERS ASSOCIATED WITH GLOBAL WARMING AT 2 DEGREES CELCIUS AND BEYOND?

Our earth happens to be only one of the planets in the planetary system. Whether you a Christian, Moslem, atheist or of any other religious conviction, we cannot argue about the origin of the earth. We are all inhabitants of this earth. Any action of anyone at any part of the globe invariably affects another person at another location. This article is about how climate change, especially in terms of temperature, is seriously affecting the earth and the necessity for action.

Climate may be defined as the average weather conditions of a geographical area (usually a country) with regard to factors such as temperature, sunshine, air pressure, humidity, rainfall, winds and cloudiness. Wikipedia defines climate change as ‘a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years.” Thus climate change has much to do with changes in weather conditions as a result of natural factors such as solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, biotic processes as well as human action such as global warming. If you have experienced significant changes in conditions such as rainfall pattern, heat waves, time of some seasons such as winter, summer, spring and autumn compared to what you experienced several years ago, it has to do with climate change.

Some scientists have made some findings about climate change. The main thrust of the findings has to do with rising temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released reports since 2008 culminating in the September 2013 Stockholm Report which revealed that bad human influence on global climate is very clear. The Working Group 1 of the IPCC pointed out that ‘Global surface temperature change for the end of the 21^st century is projected to be likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.” Just like the United Nations, our scientists are concerned with global temperatures remaining below 2 degrees Celsius. The scientists warm of some consequences of high temperatures reaching 2 degrees Celsius and beyond. Some of these are: Sea-level rise, extreme temperatures, increasing ocean acidification, risks to food production and agriculture, risks to global water resources, risks to ecosystems and biodiversity, risks to coral reefs and risks to human health. The question is “Are these scientists being unnecessarily alarmists?” Are their fears genuine? From an optimist/s point of view, one would say that the scientists have a case. Their studies have been based on objective measurements and satellite pictures. Recent disasters such as the heat waves in Australia in 2009, Tsunami which hit Japan in 2011 and the typhoon Haiyan which hit the Philippine in November 2013 and cyclones in other geographical regions indicate that the global climate is really changing. There is the need for action.

Interviews conducted in Ghana, an African country within the Tropics, indicate that there were higher temperatures and drier conditions as compared to the last 10 years. The rainfall patterns have changed slightly with the major rainy season starting earlier or later. This creates problems for farming which is mainly rain-fed. These were affecting food production and animal rearing. These conditions are affecting the quality of life of the people especially the poor in the country as the prices of food crops increase.

What are the main fears of our scientists concerning global warming and what are the main causes and suggested solutions?

Their projections indicate that global warming beyond 2 degrees Celsius will spell doom for the planet earth. The worst conditions will be in 2100 when the temperatures hit 4 degrees Celsius. They advise that there is a dire need to turn down the heat. The main causes of global warming from the scientists findings include :

1. As a result of human activity such as burning of fossil fuels and other forms of carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas is formed. This gas in the form of mainly carbon dioxide and methane prevents infrared light (sunshine transformed) from escaping into the atmosphere.

2. Most of the energy goes to heat the oceans. This increases the level of the sea.

3. Part of the heat goes to melt ice and snow and consequently increases the sea-level.

4. The greenhouse effect also leads to extreme heat as being experienced in parts of Africa and Europe.

As pointed out already, global warming can bring in its wake bizarre consequences such as floods, risks to human health, water resources and food production among other things.

The scientists make certain suggestions which can be useful to combat this cancer of global warming.

1. As populations increase, there will be greater demand for energy use so more energy should be provided.

2. The energy choices should be such that we avoid releasing much carbon dioxide.

3. As economies grow they need more energy so more renewable energy sources should be provided.

4. There should be technological innovation to reduce emission of carbon dioxide.

This article has tried to create some awareness about global warming. There is the need to act locally, nationally, sub-nationally and globally. The problem affects us all. Let us save the world from the disasters associated with global warming. The time to act is now.

 Emmanuel Ahugah