What is climate change?
Climate refers to the average weather- temperature & precipitation, among other variables- over a long period of time. The Earth’s climate is always changing. Natural climatic changes may occur over seasons, decades & centuries. The periodic rapid warming trend in the eastern Pacific Ocean, known as El Niño, is an example of climate change on a shorter time scale. The term “climate change” is more encompassing than “global warming”, which refers primarily to rising temperatures.

What causes climate change?
Natural factors & processes contribute to climate change & include changes in the Earth’s orbit & changes in the output of the sun. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels & deforestation, contribute to climate change. Since the mid-1700s, the world’s industries have added to the amount of heat-trapping “greenhouse gases” in the atmosphere. Changes in the atmosphere- natural & human-made- have effected temperature, precipitation, storms, & sea level.

What are the greenhouse gases & how are they produced?
Greenhouse gases are chemical compounds that trap heat from the sun in the Earth’s atmosphere. That is known as the “greenhouse effect”, the natural phenomenon that warms the Earth’s surface. These gases occur naturally & are produced by human activity. Carbon dioxide (CO2), the most abundant of the greenhouse gases, is released into the atmosphere when forests & fossil fuels are burned. Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas, & coal. Methane, another gas affecting climate change, is released during the production & transport of coal, natural gas, & oil, as well as from agricultural practices & from the decay of organic waste in municipal solid-waste landfills. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is another greenhouse gas that is naturally produced by oceans & rainforests & is also released by some industrial processes & fertilizers. Although water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, its atmospheric concentration is not directly affected by human activity.

What do scientists think about climate change?
Scientists agree that greenhouse gases warm the Earth & are accumulating in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities. However, there is uncertainty in scientists’ understanding about the impacts of greenhouse gases on the Earth’s climate. According to the National Research Council, it is well documented that a warming trend of about 0.7 to 1.5 degrees F occurred during the 20th century in both the Northern & Southern Hemispheres, & over the oceans. Scientists anticipate that as atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases continue to rise, average global temperatures & sea levels will rise as well & precipitation patterns will change.

What human activities produce greenhouse gases?
The two main sources of human-made carbon dioxide emissions are 1) burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) & 2) transportation vehicles (cars, trucks, trains, boats, aircraft). A third cause is cutting & burning forests, especially tropical rainforests. Losing forests also reduces the world’s ability to absorb carbon naturally.

How does climate change effect production & use of energy?
Changes in temperature could affect our energy demand. Rising air temperatures could increase energy needed for air conditioning, while reducing energy needed for space-heating. The net effects of these changes on energy production, use & utility bills also will vary by region & by season. Patterns in pumping water for agricultural irrigation may be affected as a higher temperature may cause more evaporation than usual.

How can new technologies improve climate change concerns?
New technologies that lead to greater energy efficiency are now a main focus for the electricity industry. These include building modern, environmentally sound power plants & implementing carbon-efficient electric generation, such as nuclear energy, fuel cells, & clean coal technologies. Electric cooperatives are also keeping pace with high-tech advancements to improve operations.

How can families & businesses address issues of climate change?

• Use compact fluorescent bulbs. By replacing the five most-used light bulbs in your house or business, you could save at least $60 per year on energy & help reduce emissions.
• Adjust your thermostat down in the winter & up in the summer.
• Use water carefully.
• Buy environmentally-sound products.
• Consolidate driving trips.
• Reduce, reuse, & recycle what you use or discard.
• Be energy-smart at work as well as home.
• Learn more about climate change & spread the word. Societies, wildlife, & natural systems have adapted to changes in the environment throughout history.

Sources:
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Dept. of Energy
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
World Resources Institute

Posted in activism, environment & written by Niki —