We are currently experiencing extreme weather fluctuations related to climate change, mainly caused by global warming. The main problem with these changes, however, is the speed at which they are occurring. The Earth's climate has changed over the centuries, but not as noticeably as it has in recent years.
It is estimated that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by 0.8°C over the last 25 years, with an increase of 0.25°C every 10 years since the early 1990s. There is an increase in the number of tropical days and extreme precipitation events. Between 2003 and 2006, Europe was plagued by extreme droughts, which is not consistent with the temperate climate zone in which it is located. Temperature influences are causing changes in air flow and hurricanes and typhoons are on the rise in places where they do not normally occur.
Rising temperatures also have an effect on permafrost thawing. This area of permanently frozen ground water currently covers about 20% of the Earth's surface and is a relic of the Ice Age. Due to global warming, the area and thickness of permafrost is decreasing and an active layer is growing, which thaws to a depth of several metres during the summer months. Permafrost is estimated to contain 1,672 billion tonnes of total organic carbonwhich is released as the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane. In addition to intensifying the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the water in the oceans and seas, thereby seawater becomes more acidic and thus naturally disrupts marine ecosystems.
The average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by 0.25 °C every 10 years since the early 1990s.
Melting glaciers and heating water Sea and ocean levels are rising, and only during the 20th cent. in the 20th century, the level has risen by more than 0.22 metres. At the same time, the water temperature rose by 0.6°C even at a depth of 3 km. The extent of sea ice, which reflects up to 90% of solar radiation, decreases by 3.3 % every 10 years. In this way, the land and seas absorb even more solar radiation and further temperature increases can therefore be expected.
Rising climate temperatures are also contributing to increased eutrophication of waters. Stagnant waters contain more nitrogen and phosphorus, which promotes the growth of aquatic algae called phytoplankton. The waters are thus depleted of oxygen, which again significantly disrupts terrestrial ecosystems.
The decline in biodiversity, the death of organisms and the increase in human mortality around the world are real threats that we do not seem to be able to stop. However, to ensure that we are least affected by them, we must work together to try to influence the speed at which these changes happen.
The decline in biodiversity, the death of organisms and the increase in human mortality around the world are real threats that we do not seem to be able to stop.
Note: Greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and ozone in the Earth's atmosphere absorb infrared radiation. This phenomenon causes heating of the layer beneath the water vapour-gas mixture and also of the Earth's surface itself.
Image Source: Cosmos Magazine, 2015 - https://cosmosmagazine.com/climate/what-happens-if-permafrost-disappears
