HOW HAS THE EARTH'S CLIMATE CHANGED IN

THE PAST FEW DECADES?

LECTURER’S NAME: MADAM NUR SYAFIQAH BINTI MOHD YAZIB

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 10TH DECEMBER 2021
WORD COUNT: 3000 words

GROUP MEMBERS
Mohamad Qayyum Afifuddin Bin Mohd Ali @
1. 2210572
Ibrahim
2. Hendry Leagga Anak Mathew 2210576
3. Muhamad Aznan Bin Kamaruddin 2210582

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Table of Content

Table of Content……………………………………………………………………….................

Table of Figures………………………………………………………………………….............

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………...

1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………................

2.0 Body…………………………………………………………………………………………...

2.1 Human activities in the past few decades that affect the earth’s climate

change…............

2.2 Human well is affected by greenhouse gasses and climate change……………………….

2.3 Climate change affected the rise of sea level………………………………………….......

3.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….

References………………………………………………………………………………………....

Table of Figure

Figure 1: ……………………….

Figure 2: ……………………….

Figure 3: ………………………….

Figure 4: ……………………………

Figure 5: …………………………………………

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 ABSTRACT

This research is mainly about how has the earth's climate changed in the past few

decades. The main objective of this study is to study human activities in the past few decades

that affect the earth’s climate change, how humans well being affected by greenhouse gasses

and climate change and how climate change affected the rise of sea level. In this research,

readers will learn on what are the causes of climate change, why are humans and other living

creatures will be affected by climate change and what are the effects of climate change in the

present day and the future generation.

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1.0 Introduction

Long-term climate change refers to changes in average temperature and precipitation

patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. Since the

1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the

burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Burning fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases that

act as a blanket covering the Earth and trapping the sun's heat. Some of the gases that are

causing climate change are carbon dioxide and methane. These are generated by burning

gasoline or coal for driving or heating a building. Clearing land and forest can also emit

carbon dioxide. One source of methane emissions is landfilled. Energy, transport, industry,

construction, agriculture and land use are among the main sources of emissions. (United

Nations, 2011)

Climate is often mistaken for the weather. Weather often changes from day to day, or

from year to year, and climate is a long-term phenomenon. The climate of an area includes

typical temperatures and rainfall over a season, and wind patterns. Those places with

different climates are in different areas. Deserts are referred to as arid climates because of
the lack of rainfall during the year. Other types of climate include hot and humid tropical

climates and temperate climates that are warm in summer and cool in winter. (National

Geographic Society, 2019)

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2.0 Body

2.1 Human activities in the past few decades that affect the earth’s climate

change

Figure 1 Separating Human and Natural Causes on Climate

Humans are increasingly affecting the climate and earth's temperature by burning
fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and farming livestock. The use of this product increases the
number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect
and global warming. The main cause of climate change is the greenhouse effect. Certain
gases in Earth's atmosphere act like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping the sun's energy and
preventing it from escaping and causing global warming. (Causes of climate change, 2020)

Some of these greenhouse gases occur naturally, but human activity is increasing the
concentrations of some of them in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide. Carbon
dioxide produced by human activities is the largest contributor to global warming. By 2020,
the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere had reached the level it was in 1750 or
48% above the pre-industrial concentration of CO2. Other greenhouse gases are emitted by
human activity in smaller amounts. Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2,
but it has a shorter atmospheric lifetime. Nitrous oxide, like CO2, is a long-lived greenhouse
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gas that accumulates in the atmosphere over decades to centuries. While natural causes, such
as changes in solar radiation or volcanic activity have contributed less than plus or minus
0.1°C to total warming between 1890 and 2010, anthropogenic causes are estimated to have
contributed more than 0.1°C to total warming during that period. (Causes of climate change,
2020)

The decade-spanning 2011 to 2020 was the warmest on record, with global average
temperature reaching 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels in 2019. Human-induced global
warming is increasing at a rate of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade. An increase of 2°C
compared to the temperature in pre-industrial times has been associated with negative
impacts on the natural environment and human health and wellbeing, including a much
higher risk that dangerous and possibly catastrophic changes in the global environment will
occur. For this reason, the international community has recognized the need to keep warming
well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. (Causes of climate change, 2020)

In the light of all the available evidence, there is a large scientific consensus that
humans are the leading cause of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, an international organization that is composed of scientists, has said in their latest
report that human activity is the main cause of global warming. Natural climate cycles can
change the temperature of Earth, but the changes we are seeing are happening at a scale and
speed that natural cycles cannot explain. These cycles have a global effect for years, or
sometimes just months, not the 100 years for which we have observed. Meanwhile, longer-
term changes like Milankovitch cycles and solar irradiance take thousands of years. Many
factors can affect climate change, and the evidence is irrefutable. The leading cause of
climate change is human activity, such as burning fossil fuels and changing how we use the
land. (Met Office, 2019)

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 2.2 Human well being affected by greenhouse gasses and climate change

Figure 2 How human being be affected by

greenhouse gasses and climate change

According to Haliza (2020), the various effects of climate exchange on humans is the

disruption of agricultural activities that affect the process of food production which has the

ability to purpose shortages and food crises that result in famine, malnutrition, and the unfold

of disorder. World Bank data in 2017 revealed droughts destroyed output that could feed 81

million people per day for a year starting in 2001. Most worryingly, between 2030 and 2050,

climate change is feared to kill 250,000 people each year due to malnutrition and various

diseases in addition to deteriorating the quality of clean air, drinking water sources and food

supplies. As said by Munesha (2021), as a consequence, the issue of weather exchange poses

a notable risk to poor communities around the world, in particular to growing countries such

as India, Indonesia and the Philippines. People who are within the narrowness of existence

aren't able to shield themselves from the impact. Climate change can also cause major floods.

The presence of a flood has a significant emotional impact on every human being. This is

because they are afraid that the floods will happen again and they are tired because they have

to clean the house or do repair work. The expectation of a drastic rise in temperature due to

human actions that go beyond the limits on the environment also has an impact on human

ecosystems in the long run as experienced by refugees on Carteret Island, Papua New Guinea

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who lost their homes, loved ones and sources of income as a result flood. It will indirectly

cause emotional stress that leads to depression, anxiety and trauma. situations in which the

occurrence of loss and damage or loss and damage due to climate change are among the

factors that disrupt human mental health.

The presence of excessive greenhouse gases such as methane gas, carbon dioxide gas
and others can also bring harm to humans. The greenhouse effect in the past was not too
severe compared to the greenhouse effect that is happening now. As the human population
increases, uncontrolled human activities will also increase such as open burning, increased
use of vehicles, increase industrial areas to employ humans can also increase greenhouse
gases and make them more powerful. This in turn causes excessive global warming to
increase ambient temperatures. Rising earth's surface temperature rise in temperature can
affect the entire life of the planet, including human activities. Overheated summers and
autumn months that can be replaced by snow; warm winters, frost in the spring - are among
the climate instability that occurs. Climate instability across the planet, its constant diversity
reflects the main negative effects of the greenhouse effect. Every year, human beings face
new and new natural disasters: acid rain, droughts, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and so
on. This disadvantage lies not only in the fact that living organisms do not have time to adapt
to changing weather but also warming does not occur for "natural" reasons - the greenhouse
effect is provoked by human industrial activities and environmental pollution
(ESOTERICCOSMOS, 2021).

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 2.3 Climate change affected the rise of sea level

Figure 3 Sea Level Map

The global sea level has kept on rising for the past centuries as well as the rate has
increased in recent decades. The global sea level was 2.6 inches above the average which is

the highest annual average that has been recorded by the satellite in 2014. Per year the sea

level continues to rise at a rate of about one-eighth of an inch. Higher sea levels mean more

frequent nuisance flooding will occur. Flood within the U.S. coastal communities from 50

years ago can be estimated from 300 per cent to 900 per cent. (US Department of Commerce,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2014)

Thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean since the water expands as it

warms is one of the two major causes of global sea-level rise as well as the increased melting

of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets. Over 90 per cent of the increased

atmospheric heat associated with emissions from human activity were absorbed by the

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oceans. (US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

2014)

Sea levels rates are higher before the current century if ocean and atmospheric

warming continue. per cent of the population lives in the high population coastal areas where

the sea level plays a role in flooding and shoreline erosion. According to the U.N. Atlas of the

Oceans is one of the eight of the world’s 10 largest cities which are near a coast globally. (US

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2014)

How a changing climate will affect the ocean and the people to get interested in

climate change. Rising water levels have a large impact due to the majority of Americans

living in coastal states. A four to five-inch rise in global mean sea level was estimated in

global tidal records from 1900 to 1990. Then, in the 25 years from 1990 to 2015, this global

tide gauge network showed global sea level rising three inches, agreeing with measures by

satellite altimeters taken since 1992. Per year sea-level rise about inches for the current being

but still projected to rise in the future. Another one to eight feet of sea level may be predicted

in 2100. (US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

2014)

In any specific location, the sea level rise can be more or less than the global average
followed by the local factors such as land subsidence which occur due to natural processes,
the withdrawal of the groundwater and fossil fuels, changes the ocean currents, and if the
land is still rebound by the compressive weight of Ice Age glaciers. The rise of the seas level
can become a threat to the infrastructure which is necessary for local jobs and industries such
as roads, bridges, subways, water supplies, oil and gas wells and many more which virtually
all of the human infrastructure is at risk due to the rise of sea level that continues. (US
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2014)

2.4 Ways to curb climate change from worsening

2.4.1 Make Our Commute Green

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 Millions of commuting drivers drive to work every day. It is inevitable in our modern
society. However, the downside to this is that millions of cars emit greenhouse gases that
destroy our atmosphere. Vehicle emissions are a close second to human-related climate
change when it comes to the top causes of climate change. There are always other ways that
you can go about making your commute to work more eco-friendly. Taking public
transportation to work is a great way to cut out emissions. Cycling to work is also helpful to
the environment and is a great method to get exercise. (6 Things You Can Do to Prevent
Climate Change, 2016)

2.4.2 Be More Conservative with Energy Usage

A great way to help prevent pollution is to be more energy efficient. the power plants
work less hard than they usually do, which reduces the amount of energy they release into the
atmosphere, which makes it hard for the planet to keep warm. I want you to do something to
lower your household energy usage. Don't forget to turn off lights and unplug devices when
you are done with them. You can help save electricity by replacing your incandescent light
bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs. (6 Things You Can Do to Prevent Climate Change,
2016)

2.4.3 Get Active and Vote

One of the best ways to improve climate change is to help those who will fight against
it get into office. This means voting for legislation and politicians who can help combat the
adverse effects of climate change. Many corporations have politicians on their payroll, and
they use these politicians to lobby against legislation that would require more regulations
against them. If people vote in the right people for office, then we will be able to pass
legislation that will help us fight against some of the corporations that are mainly to blame for
climate change. (6 Things You Can Do to Prevent Climate Change, 2016)

2.4.4 Recycle

Manufacturers emit a large number of gases that lead to global warming each year. In
order to produce the things we use and so many others, it's inevitable that some of the
ingredients used will be toxic. Get some empty milk cartons and fill them with dry, loose

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leaves, and then use a spray bottle to soak them with water. Recycling is a cost-effective and
eco-friendly process that saves waste and doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses into the
environment. Be sure to collect your discarded paper, glass, plastic and electronic products at
your local recycling centre. These items will be transported by professionals to a recycling
plant where they will be recycled again into other recyclable materials. (6 Things You Can
Do to Prevent Climate Change, 2016)

2.4.5 Educate Ourself and Others

The importance of educating others about climate change cannot be overstated in our
modern society. Our mission is to promote the idea of personal liberty, limited government,
free markets, and individual responsibility, and we have many different ways to spread our
message. Whether you use word of mouth or social media, there are always ways to educate
others on what climate change is doing to our planet. You can help protect the planet by
educating others about the dangers of climate change and how to act against it. (6 Things You
Can Do to Prevent Climate Change, 2016)

2.4.6 Encourage the Use of Renewable Energies

Focusing our efforts to spread awareness about renewable energy is the best way to
create a positive impact in your community. By informing others about how renewable
energy is better than utilizing fossil fuels, you will sway others into investing in the idea. (6
Things You Can Do to Prevent Climate Change, 2016)

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3.0 Conclusion

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REFERENCE

United Nations. (2011). What Is Climate Change? | United Nations. United Nations; United

Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

National Geographic Society. (2019, March 28). Climate Change. National Geographic

Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/climate-change/

Causes of climate change. (2020). Climate Action. https://ec.europa.eu/clima/climate-

change/causes-climate-change_en

Met Office. (2019, November 29). Causes of climate change. Met Office; Met Office.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/causes-of-climate-change
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2014). Is

the sea level rising? Noaa.gov. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sealevel.html

Haliza Abdul Rahman, P. M. D. (2020, October 7). - Menangani isu perubahan iklim melalui

gaya hidup lestari. BERNAMA. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from

https://www.bernama.com/bm/tintaminda/news.php?id=1858901

Munisamy, S. (2021, May 9). Perubahan iklim jejaskan kesihatan mental manusia?

astroawani.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.astroawani.com/gaya-

hidup/perubahan-iklim-jejaskan-kesihatan-mental-manusia-297204

BETWEENMATES. (2018). Perbezaan Antara Pemanasan Global dan Kesan Rumah Hijau.

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warming-and-greenhouse-effect-699100

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ESOTERICCOSMOS. (2021). Kesan Rumah Hijau: Kebaikan Dan Keburukan.

https://ms.esotericcosmos.com/3317320-greenhouse-effect-pros-and-cons

US EPA, OAR, OAP, CCD. (2015). Causes of Climate Change | Climate Change Science |

US EPA. Epa.gov. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-change-

science/causes-climate-change_.html

6 Things You Can Do To Prevent Climate Change. (2016). Activesustainability.com.

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climate-change/

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