scholarly journals The Microbiologists’ Warning: a Warning from All Microbiologists’ to Humanity

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Rick Cavicchioli
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Microbial World ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sustainable Future ◽  
Production And Consumption

The Microbiologists’ Warning is a Consensus Statement proclaiming that microorganisms are so critical to achieving an environmentally sustainable future that ignoring them risks the fate of Humanity. It aims to raise awareness of the microbial world and make a call to action for microbiologists to become increasingly engaged in, and microbial research to become increasingly infused into, the frameworks for addressing climate change. We must learn not just how microorganisms affect climate change (including production and consumption of greenhouse gases), but also how they will be affected by climate change and other human activities.

The Bakerian Lecture, 1991 The predictability of weather and climate

1991 ◽  
Vol 337 (1648) ◽  
pp. 521-572 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Milankovitch Cycles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Weather And Climate ◽  
Sst Anomalies

There is large public and political interest in the predictability of weather and climate, in particular in the influence of human activities on the likely climate change during the next century. Numerical models are the main tools which enable the nonlinear processes involved in the dynamics and physics of the atmosphere and other components of the climate system to be integrated in an effective way. The performance of such models used for weather forecasting has continued to improve as more accurate data with better coverage has become available, as improved descriptions of the physics and dynamics have been incorporated and as computing capacity and speed have increased. Studies of the predictability with models suggest that with further improvements in data and models deterministic forecasting of detailed weather may ultimately have useful skill up to 2-3 weeks ahead. Beyond the limit of deterministic forecasting, some skill remains for the forecasting of general weather patterns which can be pursued by studying ensembles of model forecasts from slightly varying initial conditions. The largest difficulty with further improvements of numerical models lies in their inadequate treatment of the motions too small to be explicitly resolved. Interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean are responsible for substantial variations on seasonal, interannual and longer timescales. Forecasts are being provided of seasonal precipitation in the Sahel region of Africa based on a knowledge of global sea surface tem perature (SST) anomalies together with the assumption that such anomalies tend to persist from one season to the next. Attempts to forecast SST anomalies have centred on tropical regions in particular on the El Nino. Simple models show some skill in forecasting El Nino events 3-9 months in advance. Studies with more elaborate models which as yet only show partial success in simulating these events demonstrate the complex nature of the interactions involved. Turning to the likely changes in climate next century: if no changes occur in the atmosphere other than the increase in C0 2 and other greenhouse gases due to human activities, the increase in radiative forcing due to a doubling of atmospheric C0 2 concentration would lead to an increase of about 1.2 °C in global average temperature. Water vapour and ice-albedo feedbacks raise this to a figure of about 2.5 °C (with an uncertainty range of 1.5—4.5 °C) as estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change. Such a change would dominate over forcing likely to arise from other factors, and this estim ated rate of change next century is probably greater than any which has occurred on earth during the past 10000 years. The main uncertainties in climate change predictions arise from the inadequacies of the models in their descriptions of cloud-radiation and ocean circulation feedbacks. Until there is more confidence in the treatment of these feedbacks there are bound to be large uncertainties associated with any predictions of regional climate change. To reduce the uncertainties there need to be improvements in computer power, in model formulation and in our understanding of climate processes together with a large programme of observations of climate parameters to provide early detection of climate change and to provide validation of climate models and to provide data for initialization of model integrations. An important question is whether changes in climate due to changes in radiative forcing are predictable. It is pointed out that the response to climate over the past half million years to changes in forcing due to the variations in the Earth ’s orbit (Milankovitch cycles) is a regular one; some 60% of variations in the global temperature as established from the palaeontological record occur near frequencies of the Milankovitch cycles. We can, therefore, expect the changes in climate due to increasing greenhouse gases to be a largely predictable response. Large, but probably predictable, changes in the circulation of the deep ocean have modified climate change during past epochs and could have significant influence on future climate change.

Global Climate Change Opportunity as Well as Challenge to Architecture

2011 ◽  
Vol 243-249 ◽  
pp. 5289-5292
Author(s):  
Jun Hua Yu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Save Energy ◽  
Emission Of Greenhouse Gases

As known to all, the emission of greenhouse gases is mainly caused by human activities. If we could cut down the emission, we could gradually prevent the influence of climate change. Relevant research shows that in the field of energy consumption, the control of CO2 emission is the most effective way to save energy. Thus, reducing the architectural energy consumption is one of the most crucial factors to realize global climate goals. Although more and more scholars prefer to use the word ‘dilemma’ to describe the urgent contradiction between architectural construction and environment, and energy as well, I still want to discuss the influence of global warming on the architecture industry, and explain why it is an opportunity as well.

scholarly journals A call-to-action for sustainability in dialysis in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Moura-Neto ◽  
Katherine Barraclough ◽  
John W. M. Agar
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Negative Environmental Impact

ABSTRACT Human-induced climate change has been an increasing concern in recent years. Nephrology, especially in the dialysis setting, has significant negative environmental impact worldwide, as it uses large amounts of water and energy and generates thousands of tons of waste. While our activities make us responsible agents, there are also several opportunities to change the game, both individually and as a society. This call-to-action intends to raise awareness about environmentally sustainable practices in dialysis and encourages this important discussion in Brazil.

scholarly journals Attitudes Towards Environmental and Agronomic Benefits of Pulses Among Canadian University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Kristie Masuda
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Pulse Crops ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Pulse Production

An increase in the production and consumption of pulse crops has the potential to improve soil health, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate climate change. University students in Canada were surveyed to reveal attitudes and opinions towards the environmental and agronomic benefits of pulse production and consumption in an attempt to determine motivations towards pulse consumption. Results indicated that participants would be more likely to consume pulses because they reduce greenhouse gases (67%), improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilisers (71%), and contribute to sustainable agriculture (71%).

Local Policy for a Protected Environmental Area Management: The Case of Limiting Motorized Vehicles in Park of Canigou in Pyrenées Orientales

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Individual Action ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Motorized Vehicles ◽  
Local Levels

“We regard the recent science –based consensual reports that climate change is, to a large extend, caused by human activities that emit green houses as tenable, Such activities range from air traffic, with a global reach over industrial belts and urban conglomerations to local small, scale energy use for heating homes and mowing lawns. This means that effective climate strategies inevitably also require action all the way from global to local levels. Since the majority of those activities originate at the local level and involve individual action, however, climate strategies must literally begin at home to hit home.”

scholarly journals The effects of ENSO, climate change and human activities on the water level of Lake Toba, Indonesia: a critical literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendri Irwandi ◽  
Mohammad Syamsu Rosid ◽  
Terry Mart
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
The Future

AbstractThis research quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the factors responsible for the water level variations in Lake Toba, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. According to several studies carried out from 1993 to 2020, changes in the water level were associated with climate variability, climate change, and human activities. Furthermore, these studies stated that reduced rainfall during the rainy season due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the continuous increase in the maximum and average temperatures were some of the effects of climate change in the Lake Toba catchment area. Additionally, human interventions such as industrial activities, population growth, and damage to the surrounding environment of the Lake Toba watershed had significant impacts in terms of decreasing the water level. However, these studies were unable to determine the factor that had the most significant effect, although studies on other lakes worldwide have shown these factors are the main causes of fluctuations or decreases in water levels. A simulation study of Lake Toba's water balance showed the possibility of having a water surplus until the mid-twenty-first century. The input discharge was predicted to be greater than the output; therefore, Lake Toba could be optimized without affecting the future water level. However, the climate projections depicted a different situation, with scenarios predicting the possibility of extreme climate anomalies, demonstrating drier climatic conditions in the future. This review concludes that it is necessary to conduct an in-depth, comprehensive, and systematic study to identify the most dominant factor among the three that is causing the decrease in the Lake Toba water level and to describe the future projected water level.

scholarly journals The microbial world in a changing environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Vicuña ◽  
Bernardo González
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Complete Evaluation ◽  
Microbial World ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Entire Planet ◽  
New Strategies

Abstract Background In this article we would like to touch on the key role played by the microbiota in the maintenance of a sustainable environment in the entire planet. For obvious reasons, this article does not intend to review thoroughly this extremely complex topic, but rather to focus on the main threats that this natural scenario is presently facing. Methods Recent literature survey. Results Despite the relevance of microorganisms have in our planet, the effects of climate change on microbial communities have been scarcely and not systematically addressed in literature. Although the role of microorganisms in emissions of greenhouse gases has received some attention, there are several microbial processes that are affected by climate change with consequences that are presently under assessment. Among them, host-pathogen interactions, the microbiome of built environment, or relations among plants and beneficial microbes. Conclusions Further research is required to advance in knowledge of the effect of climate change on microbial communities. One of the main targets should be a complete evaluation of the global microbial functional diversity and the design of new strategies to cope with limitations in methods to grow microorganisms in the laboratory. These efforts should contribute to raise a general public awareness on the major role played by the microbiota on the various Earth ecosystems.

scholarly journals Sustainable healthcare – Time for ‘Green Podiatry’

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Margaret Evans
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Foot Health

Abstract Background Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be ‘the biggest global health threat of the 21st century’. This is happening now, with healthcare as an industry representing 4.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Main body Climate change promotes health deficits from many angles; however, primarily it is the use of fossil fuels which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide (also nitrous oxide, and methane). These greenhouse gases prevent the earth from cooling, resulting in the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, which then cause ‘wild weather’ patterns, including floods, storms, and droughts. Particular vulnerability is afforded to those already health compromised (older people, pregnant women, children, wider health co-morbidities) as well as populations closer to equatorial zones, which encompasses many low-and-middle-income-countries. The paradox here, is that poorer nations by spending less on healthcare, have lower carbon emissions from health-related activity, and yet will suffer most from global warming effects, with scant resources to off-set the increasing health care needs. Global recognition has forged the Paris agreement, the United Nations sustainable developments goals, and the World Health Organisation climate change action plan. It is agreed that most healthcare impact comes from consumption of energy and resources, and the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. Many professional associations of medicine and allied health professionals are advocating for their members to lead on environmental sustainability; the Australian Podiatry Association is incorporating climate change into its strategic direction. Conclusion Podiatrists, as allied health professionals, have wide community engagement, and hence, can model positive environmental practices, which may be effective in changing wider community behaviours, as occurred last century when doctors stopped smoking. As foot health consumers, our patients are increasingly likely to expect more sustainable practices and products, including ‘green footwear’ options. Green Podiatry, as a part of sustainable healthcare, directs us to be responsible energy and product consumers, and reduce our workplace emissions.

scholarly journals The Evolution of Communicating the Uncertainty of Climate Change to Policymakers: A Study of IPCC Synthesis Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2466
Author(s):  
Tomas Molina ◽  
Ernest Abadal
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Systems ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
The Public ◽  
Level Of Confidence ◽  
Ipcc Report ◽  
Degree Of Certainty ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tackle Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports on climate change have served to alert both the public and policymakers about the scope of the predicted changes and the effects they would have on natural and economic systems. The first IPCC report was published in 1990, since which time a further four have been produced. The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the IPCC Summaries for Policymakers in order to determine the degree of certainty associated with the statements they contain. For each of the reports we analyzed all statements containing expressions indicating the corresponding level of confidence. The aggregated results show a shift over time towards higher certainty levels, implying a “Call to action” (from 32.8% of statements in IPCC2 to 70.2% in IPCC5). With regard to the international agreements drawn up to tackle climate change, the growing level of confidence expressed in the IPCC Summaries for Policymakers reports might have been a relevant factor in the history of decision making.

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