Climate Change

Environment   Oct 21, 2015 by My Tran Pham

As stated by The Guardian, temperatures are suggested to increase of between 2.8˚ and 5.1˚C by 2090, and the Earth does not have a long time before the temperatures increase by only 1˚C or 2˚C, which will have dire consequences in the next few years. With the continuation of burning fossil fuels, this will continue to affect Australia in a way that will not be reversible. With on-going use of these fossil fuels, we are releasing tons of greenhouse gases in to the atmosphere which impacts the Earth ozone layer and therefore increasing the global temperature, as a consequence it is likely that Alice Springs’ costal areas will rapidly heat up and Melbourne, Sydney will experience longer days with hotter weather. In general Australia is estimated to have a sea level rise of 45 cm to 82 cm if emissions are to continue, and warned that the Antarctic ice sheet would collapse, rainfall overall would be expected to drop, there will be more severe droughts and rising temperatures will cause more fire dangers.

There are no positives about climate change, only negatives and with the increasing temperature we will continue to decline as a whole society. Though some of us know that we have to act upon the affects of climate change our experiences with it is limited, as we do not fully understand the extent of it and what it will do the Earth. Some experts, professionals, students, teachers and small communities are tyring to reduce our carbon emissions, reducing how much electricity they are wasting. These small changes can impact us in the long run. If a small majority of the population are able to achieve this, this will not impact the Earth as much as the entire world but small contributions can make a lasting affect on the Earth.

As seen from this YouTube video, ‘Solar Freakin’ Roadways’ this couple has only been making these solar panels since 2006. If the entire world were to replace the roads with solar panels, this would effectively and sufficiently provide the Earth with greener energy and also be less costly in the long run as solar panels are able to obtain back the money. Wilderness School is currently under construction, however we have no solar energy located anywhere in our school. If we were able to install solar panels throughout the school, this would change our efficiency in energy consumption.

The two biology classes recently went on the Port Adelaide Dolphin cruise where we were able to see the contrasting manmade and natural environment areas. Some areas had mangrove and natural environment, however factories usually surrounded them that all polluted the sea in some way. Especially affecting the dolphins in that area, particularly causing them to eat fishes that are contaminated with the chemicals and pollutants from factories, which causes build up of chemicals in the liver and kidney that are vital organs. But the Port Adelaide is a key exporting facility for products such as grains, wine, motor vehicle’s, automotive components and mining products. With the contrasting view of having this area to support our economy and exporting responsibilities, it is restrictive our natural environment and animal species within that area to grow and be nourished. It’s challenging as there needs to be a balance between an area that supports mankind, but also needs to protect and preserve the natural habitats and animals.

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