Climate Change: Effects on the Globe

In this project, I talk about the affects of climate change in our ecosystems, daily lives, and our globe temperatures, as well as how we can reduce these climate changes.
Tirth Shah
Grade 7

Problem

What is global warming and how does it affect our world, including our daily lives and our environment? What are some examples of places that are showing signs of these extreme climate changes?

Method

For my project, I used various websites to learn and strengthen my understanding of climate change. I made sure to use reliable sources (by doublechecking information using other sites) to gather valid information.

 

Research

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#warming

I used this source to learn about global warming/climate change.

https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

I used this site to learn about the causes of climate change.

https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-ecosystems_.html

I used this source to learn about how climate change affects ecosystems.

https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions

I used this source to learn about ways we can reduce climate change.

https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/#:~:text=Human%20Activity%20Is%20the%20Cause,air%20to%20make%20CO2

https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/19/what-is-the-greenhouse-effect/

I used these sources to learn about the Greenhouse Effect.

https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2948/milankovitch-orbital-cycles-and-their-role-in-earths-climate/

https://climate.nasa.gov/explore/ask-nasa-climate/2949/why-milankovitch-orbital-cycles-cant-explain-earths-current-warming/

Theories • GeoLearning • Department of Earth Sciences

An outsider's review of the astronomical theory of the climate: is the eccentricity-driven insolation the main driver of the ice ages? - ScienceDirect

I used these sources to learn about the Milankovitch and Astronomical theories of climate change and why they are proven to be false.

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/

I used this site to research about the global increase in temperature over the years. I also used the graph from this website that shows the increase of global temperature.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work#:~:text=Wind%20turbines%20work%20on%20a,a%20generator%2C%20which%20creates%20electricity

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work#:~:text=You're%20likely%20most%20familiar,cell%2C%20causing%20electricity%20to%20flow

https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/how-hydropower-works#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,homes%2C%20businesses%2C%20and%20industries

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/

Can we power a big city with solar 24/7?

https://www.greengeeks.com/blog/hydroelectric-energy/

I used these sites to learn about alternative sources (solar, hydroelectricity, and wind) and how they function to produce electricity. I also used some of these sites to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative source of energy.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/

https://earthjustice.org/

https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/

I used these sites for my research to find out what each organization that tries to fight against climate change does and what their goals are.

 

Data

Website for image: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/ 

 

This graph showed the global temperature increase on Earth throughout the years. This information shows that the temperature of the globe is gradually increasing, but some years have had lower temperatures than the years before it (as shown in the annual mean).

Conclusion

After researching and learning about climate change, I concluded that my hypothesis was correct. If we use less fossil fuels, then less greenhouse gases will hurt the atmosphere. People cutting down trees, using fuel-powered cars, and manufacturing goods all contribute to the warming of Earth by releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Our actions impact the environment, and higher temperatures in areas can hurt ecosystems and food chains. Alternative sources of energy are on the rise to reduce our carbon footprint and keep our planet healthy but still have many cons before being perfect. In conclusion, climate change is the slight increase in the temperature of our planet over time, but as our globe heats up quicker, more people are trying to find alternative sources to reduce Earth’s climate.  

 

Citations

Research Information:

Global Warming 101 https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#warming Dec. 27, 2023

Causes and Effects of Climate Change https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change Dec. 28, 2023

Climate Impacts on Ecosystems https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-ecosystems_.html Jan. 5, 2024

Actions for a Healthy Planet https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions Jan. 7, 2024

What is the Greenhouse Effect? https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/19/what-is-the-greenhouse-effect/ Jan. 15, 2024

Human Activity is the Cause of Increased Greenhouse Gas Concentrations https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/#:~:text=Human%20Activity%20Is%20the%20Cause,air%20to%20make%20CO2. Jan. 15, 2024

How do Wind Turbines Work? https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work#:~:text=Wind%20turbines%20work%20on%20a,a%20generator%2C%20which%20creates%20electricity. Jan. 24, 2024

How does Solar Work? https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work#:~:text=You're%20likely%20most%20familiar,cell%2C%20causing%20electricity%20to%20flow. Jan. 24, 2024

How Hydropower Works https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/how-hydropower-works#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,homes%2C%20businesses%2C%20and%20industries. Jan. 24, 2024

Global Temperature https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/ Jan. 24, 2024

Milankovitch (Orbital) Cycles and Their Role in Earth’s Climate https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2948/milankovitch-orbital-cycles-and-their-role-in-earths-climate/ Feb. 28, 2024

Why Milankovitch (Orbital) Cycles Can’t Explain Earth’s Current Warming https://climate.nasa.gov/explore/ask-nasa-climate/2949/why-milankovitch-orbital-cycles-cant-explain-earths-current-warming/ Feb. 28, 2024

Theories Theories • GeoLearning • Department of Earth Sciences. Feb. 28, 2024

An outsider's review of the astronomical theory of the climate: is the eccentricity-driven insolation the main driver of the ice ages? An outsider's review of the astronomical theory of the climate: is the eccentricity-driven insolation the main driver of the ice ages? - ScienceDirect. Mar. 9, 2024

Solar Energy Pros and Cons: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages? https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/ Mar. 10, 2024

Can we Power a Big city with Solar 24/7? Can we power a big city with solar 24/7? Mar. 10, 2024

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy https://www.greengeeks.com/blog/hydroelectric-energy/ Mar. 10, 2024

World Wide Fund https://www.worldwildlife.org/ Mar. 10, 2024

Earthjustice https://earthjustice.org/ Mar. 10, 2024

Greenpeace https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/ Mar. 10, 2024

Images:

Wind Energy https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wind-energy/ Jan. 25, 2024 (slide 15)

Hydroelectric Energy https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/hydroelectric-energy/ Jan. 25, 2024 (slide 15) 

Solar Energy https://www.britannica.com/science/solar-energy Jan. 25, 2024 (slide 15) 

How Could Microbes Help to Solve Climate Change? https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/How-Could-Microbes-Help-to-Solve-Climate-Change.aspx Jan . 25, 2024 (slide 3)

File: Earth Western Hemisphere Transparent Background.png https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_Western_Hemisphere_transparent_background.png Jan. 25, 2024 (slide 17)

How Many Homes Can Be Powered by a Wind Turbine? https://todayshomeowner.com/eco-friendly/guides/how-many-homes-can-be-powered-by-a-wind-turbine/ Mar. 10, 2024 (slide 16)

What are Hydroelectric Dams? https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=737 Mar. 10, 2024 (slide 16)

How are Solar Panels Made Anyway? https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/how-are-solar-panels-made-anyway Mar. 10, 2024 (slide 16)

 

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that Treaty 7, or Southern Alberta, is where many First Nations tribes like the Blackfoot Nations, Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda, and the Metis Nation live.  I acknowledge that this is their traditional land and they are free to celebrate their culture. I understand that this is not my land and the ability to live and be free in Calgary, Alberta is a privilege.