Module 2 SLP: Mechanisms of Change and the Fossil Record

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY
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Introduction
Several advances in climate change impacted by human civilization and variations in earth’s orbit have led to changes in solar energy levels earth receives. Using satellites and various advanced technologies, scientists have identified that greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide are causing global warming leading to different climate changes. But the primary source of global warming is human civilization. Human civilization has impacted ecosystems and species leading to higher levels of extinction. Today earth’s remaining species are hardly secured.
Part 1
Graph Description
The graph tries to compare atmospheric samples in the ice cores and other instruments. The graph is a demonstration of the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide since man’s first industrial revolution. It shows that there has been an upward increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from 300-400 parts per million since 1950 (Pearson Higher Education, 2014).
Group Categories Labeling
The text is grouped into nine categories so as to identify various vital signs showing the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide. They labeled as vital signs providing compelling evidence on the increase of carbon dioxide including rise of sea levels, rise in global temperature, warming of oceans, shrinking of ice sheets, ocean acidification, extreme events and decrease in snow cover, (NASA, 2014). What is clear is that the increase in emissions of greenhouse gasses has significantly contributed to the growth in the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Effects of Climate Change
Climate change has already observable effects globally. Indeed, the sea is losing ice, glaciers are sinking, trees are flowering earlier, heat waves are increasing, and sea levels are going up. Today scientists have determined that the situation will worsen with new consequences. One major effect that will continue will be the continuous increase in global temperature with scientists believing the increase will be up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the next century. But the effects will vary from one region to another. Hence, the rise in temperatures of between 2 and 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be beneficial to some parts while harmful to others. The period of frost-free and growing season will also lengthen hence affecting agriculture and many other ecosystems (Pearson Higher Education, 2014). Further droughts plus heat waves are projected to be more intense as cold waves’ will decrease. The notorious hurricanes will become stronger and increase. This will affect levels of rainfall and availability of water resources. The end will be an irregular weather which shall be hard to cope with. With rising sea levels and ice free arctic water resources shall be scarce.
Part 2
Impact of Economic Growth on Species
In every way, economic development both in the developing and developed countries is affecting greatly other species. Prosperity is leading for more demands for resources especially food. Demand for more agriculture yields has led to increased cultivation and land use which is affecting land habitats and othe...