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Anthropogenic activities which contribute to contemporary climate change…
Anthropogenic activities which contribute to contemporary climate change
Land use changes (deforestation)
Increased food production and urban growth has led to rapid deforestation, especially in the last 50 years
Rate of deforestation is now at about 100,000km2 per year
Forests and soils are also vast stores of carbon (carbon sinks). Fro instance, living materials decompose and they accumulate as biomass in soils
As farming and agricultural activities increase, more carbon is also removed from the soil
Example?
Forests are cleared for urbanisation and urban growth and this reduces carbon sinks
Cement manufacture in the process of urban growth and construction of buildings and infrastructure has also led to increased GHG emissions
Example?
What are some of the impacts on other related systems?
Reduction of carbon sinks
Carbon sinks include forests, soils and the ocean
Oceans have been effective carbon sinks through the photosynthesis of marine plants and phytoplankton, and also as a solution for carbon dioxide
However, increases in GHG emissions can cause ocean acidification which affects marine life and slows the formation of carbonate rocks by living organisms
Ocean warming may also reduce the capacity of the oceans to dissolve carbon dioxide
Anthropogenic emission of GHGs
Has been rising since pre-industrial times
Result of fossil fuel combustion and cement manufacture
Electricity generation and usage of vehicles involves the combustion of fossil fuels
Positive relationship between energy consumption and development
Fossil fuel consumption is high in high-income countries
Example?
Fossil fuels are still cheaper and more reliable than other energy types
Many low-income, developing countries still rely on fossil fuels for development
World Bank data indicates that low- and middle-income countries account for just over half of total CO2 emissions
Example?
The rise in other non-CO2 GHG emission can be linked to deforestation, which can be linked to industrialisation and increases in food supply
Largest anthropogenic source of methane is the production, distribution and combustion of fossil fuels
Agricultural activity, such as the rearing of farm animals for food results in the emission of methane due to enteric fermentation in farm animals
The digestion processes of these ruminant animals contributes to approximately 27% of total methane emissions
Methane emissions are expected to rise due to increased food demand, stemming from increased population growth and affluence
Example?