LESSON LightofRestorationPeace,WorldCulture,Heavenly 34 CLIMATE CHANGE LESSON OBJECTIVES 1 Understand what climate change is and how it affects our daily lives. 2 Find out what you can do on a personal level to tackle climate change. TERMS TO KNOW • Climate change • Greenhouse gases • Fossil fuels
2 34. Climate Change How Has the Earth’s Climate Changed over the Past Century?
Figure 34-1 Change of Earth’s temperature over the past 2000 years
Climate change or climate crisis is a phenomenon in which the average global temperature changes rapidly. In the past 100 years, the Earth is warming faster than at any other time in history. The average global temperature in the last decade (2011-2020) has risen by 1.09℃ compared to the pre-industrialization (1850-1900). This is the most rapid change in temperature over the past millennia.Whatproblems will arise if the Earth’s temperature rises? First, as the Arctic and Antarctic glaciers melt, the global sea level rises. As the sea level rises, coastal coasts become smaller and smaller. In fact, some small islands in the South Pacific have recently been submerged below sea level. As the number of rainy days decreases
34. Climate Change 3 due to climate change, deserts are increasing. Drought and desertification are causing water scarcity. As farming becomes difficult, more and more regions are suffering from food shortages. Climate change is changing the entire global ecosystem. When an ecosystem is destroyed, it also affects the lives of human beings, who are at the end of the ecosystem food chain. What are the Causes of Climate Change? 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere is made up of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). Carbon dioxide Figure 34-2 Shrinking of the Arctic glacier
Greenhouse gas emissions from factories
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Climate Change and methane, which belong to the remaining 1% are called greenhouse gases because they surround the earth like a greenhouse. Currently, the amount of this greenhouse gas is rapidly increasing and is causing global warming. Among them, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hexafluorideperfluorocarbons,hydrofluorocarbons,andsulfurarecalledthesix major greenhouse gases. The main culprits in carbon dioxide emissions are fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Gas emitted from thermal power plants or factories that use coal or oil contain excessive carbon dioxide. Exhaust gases from airplanes, ships, and automobiles also contain a lot of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, methane is mainly emitted from waste and animal waste, while nitrous oxide, is mainly emitted from fertilizer or wasteClimateincineration.changeis also caused by natural causes such as solar activity and volcanic eruptions.
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How Can I Do to Combat Change?Climate
Climate change is a global problem that transcends national borders. Therefore, this problem can only be solved with the cooperation of various countries, companies, and citizens around the world. The important thing is for each person to first recognize and be aware of the seriousness of climate change. In order to respond to climate change, an individual needs to practice daily activities for themselves and change the country, company, and community to which they belong.
The five examples below are small tasks for a person to practice. However, if everyone in the world participates, this can be a fundamental solution to the climate change problem.
4. Save water and electricity at home.5.Plant many trees.
2. Reduce the amount of food waste.3.Reuse items and buy recyclable items rather than new ones.
Therefore, experts have studied for decades whether the cause of the rapid climate change is the last 100 years is caused by nature or by humans. As a result, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced that there is a 99% certainty that humans have heated the Earth. Climate change is increasingly threatening human life. Thus, we must accept the fact that humans are the biggest cause of climate change, and we need to work together in order to respond to this crisis.
1. Walk for short distances or use public transportation rather than a car for further distances.
34. Climate Change 5
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6 34. Climate Change Reviewing the Lesson 1 What does climate change mean? 2 What problems will arise if the Earth’s temperature rises? 3 What does greenhouse gas mean? 4 From what is carbon dioxide mainly emitted? 5 Is the rapid climate change in the past century caused by nature or by humans? 6 What can you personally do to tackle climate change? Activities
1 Let’s research and share additional data on how climate change has changed the Arctic and the glaciers in Antarctic. Let’s research and share: If climate change continues, what problems may arise in our country or region? What is my country already doing to combat climate change through programs and policies?
Lesson34. Climate Change 5th floor 20, Nambusunhwan-ro 347-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South-Korea Tel. +82 02-514-1963 Fax. +82 Thehwpl@hwpl.krhttp://www.hwpl.kr02-514-1961firsteditionon31 July 2022 Published by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light Copyright 2022 Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light All rights reserved. You must get consent from a copyright owner to use all or parts of the contents of this book. Image Credits Figure 34-1 Efbrazil, CC BY-SA https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Common_Era_Temperature.svg4.0, Figure 34-2 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/2007_Arctic_Sea_Ice.jpg Figure 34-3 https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/19/12/38/industry-1752876_960_720.png
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