How Does Anthropogenic Climate Change
It is argued by many scientists that over time humans have changed the earth to such a degree that we are now in a new geological period. These geographical periods are separate phases of time in the past and present used to contrast the differing geographical conditions on earth over time and suggest when and why they have changed. The Anthropocene is believed by many scientists to be “the current epoch in which humans and our societies have become a global geophysical force” (Steffen et al., 2007). This suggests that whilst natural causes do contribute towards rising temperatures, varying carbon dioxide levels and changing levels of biodiversity, these rapid changes are most likely human induced. Anthropogenic climate change describes this
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human induced change that occurs due to numerous factors including the rapid increase in the use of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution as well as the increasing role of nuclear weapons in society (Ruddiman, 2003). This essay will explore whether humans have played he most significant role in changing the earth to such a degree that we are now in a new geological time period and explore the contrasting views of scientists as to when the Anthropocene started.
The impact that human activity has on the earth is argued at varying levels by different scientists.
For as long as can be measured the earth’s climate and levels of carbon dioxide have constantly changed suggesting that the role of natural causes in creating a new geological period cannot be ignored. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the sun and an increase in the number of sunspots results in more radiation being emitted onto earth leading to short term climate change. Similarly the orbital variation of the earth over tens to hundreds of thousands of years can also lead to up to 10 degrees Celsius of climate change resulting in the transition from glacial to interglacial periods. Increased radiation during interglacial periods on earth can melt land ice and release carbon dioxide which further increases the earths temperature. However, whilst the role of natural causes has contributed to new geological periods in the past current carbon dioxide levels are reaching levels never seen before. Historically the transition from glacial to interglacial periods has seen the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide vary from between 280-300 ppm and 180 ppm (Petit et al., 1999). Although in the past, greenhouse gases have undergone natural variations proven by the gas bubbles found within the layers of the Antarctic and Greenland ice cores, carbon dioxide levels have never been as high as at current, “reaching 379ppm in 2005” (Holden, 2012), and currently exceeding
400ppm.
human induced change that occurs due to numerous factors including the rapid increase in the use of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution as well as the increasing role of nuclear weapons in society (Ruddiman, 2003). This essay will explore whether humans have played he most significant role in changing the earth to such a degree that we are now in a new geological time period and explore the contrasting views of scientists as to when the Anthropocene started.
The impact that human activity has on the earth is argued at varying levels by different scientists.
For as long as can be measured the earth’s climate and levels of carbon dioxide have constantly changed suggesting that the role of natural causes in creating a new geological period cannot be ignored. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the sun and an increase in the number of sunspots results in more radiation being emitted onto earth leading to short term climate change. Similarly the orbital variation of the earth over tens to hundreds of thousands of years can also lead to up to 10 degrees Celsius of climate change resulting in the transition from glacial to interglacial periods. Increased radiation during interglacial periods on earth can melt land ice and release carbon dioxide which further increases the earths temperature. However, whilst the role of natural causes has contributed to new geological periods in the past current carbon dioxide levels are reaching levels never seen before. Historically the transition from glacial to interglacial periods has seen the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide vary from between 280-300 ppm and 180 ppm (Petit et al., 1999). Although in the past, greenhouse gases have undergone natural variations proven by the gas bubbles found within the layers of the Antarctic and Greenland ice cores, carbon dioxide levels have never been as high as at current, “reaching 379ppm in 2005” (Holden, 2012), and currently exceeding
400ppm.