Some Basics on Climate Change (3)

Social and economic effects of climate change are evident as well. Rising sea level is threatening existence of some island nations. The Maldives and Tuvalu both are planning national immigration to foreign dryland in the near future. Prolonged hurricane and tornado season, which is now believed to be caused by climate change, affects more regions (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007). There is no conclusive estimate of economic cost of global warming. According to the Stern Review, estimated loss by extreme weather alone will be about one percent of world gross domestic production (GDP) in around 2050, and will keep increasing as temperatures rise (Stern, 2006). Stern (2006) estimated a total of 20% of global GDP might be lost by climate change, if no immediate action is taken to mitigate it.

There are still skeptics about human generated climate change, but according to the best available scientific knowledge, anthropogenic GHGs are firmly believed to be the culprits of global warming. Over 70% of anthropogenic GHGs are generated from combustion of fossil fuel. Therefore, in order to mitigate climate change, a large reduction of fossil fuel use is required. The great human dilemma is that fossil fuel, which generates most anthropogenic GHGs, is the major energy source which has made current economic prosperity possible. Without fossil fuel, modern urban life, as we know, would be impossible.

References Cited

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2007). Climate change 2007: synthesis report. Fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Stern, N. (2006). The economics of climate change: the Stern review. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm.

*This series of posts is excerpted from my dissertation. I hope these posts help my visitors understand this critical matter better.*