Introduction In my essay I will be discussing climate change as a whole, how humans cause it and also the natural causes

of it and thereafter I will be discussing the effects of climate change on our environment and the lives of living species and possible solutions to overcome it. The reason why my topic is of interest is because climate change is a serious matter as it can affect our ecosystems and our lifestyles. Climate change plays an importance in geography because it can affect our natural scenery and features of our world, like our flora and fauna.

Vocabulary (Emissions: the production or sending of light, heat, gas. Methane: Methane is a chemical compound. It is an alkane and it is the primary component of natural gasses Flora and fauna: In biology, an organism is any connecting living system (such as animal, plant, fungus, or micro-organism). In at least some form, all. Chlorofluorocarbons: Any of a class of compounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, typically gases used chiefly in refrigerants and aerosol Carbon dioxide: A colourless, odourless gas, CO2, produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration and absorbed by plants in. Climate: The weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period. Greenhouse gasses: A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g. carbon dioxide.) Concise oxford Dictionary.1990. 8th Edition. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

What is climate change? (Climate change is a long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in the average weather condition or a change in the distribution of weather events with respect to an average, for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events) Agrafioti 2011:1.Climate change refers to the changing of weather patterns over a period of time. The changes have previously been due to nature; however now it is proven that the weather changes are also caused by human activities, on page 9, the graph shows the different amount of gas emissions. The current climate changes are due to global warming and the high emission of greenhouse gasses, such as Carbon dioxide which human contribute to. Climate change also causes rising sea levels which will be caused by ice caps and glaciers melting due to the increase in temperature.

Causes of climate change? The causes of climate change are separated into two categories: natural causes and those that are created by human. To what extent does climate change originate from an unpredictable nature? (Climate change mostly originates from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes and tsunamis just to mention a few. These disasters results in a disturbance in the atmosphere which results in climate change) Agrafioti 2011:2. Below are just a few examples of the natural factors of climate change that occurs in Africa. Natural factors: Drought a drought basically occurs when there is no rainfall present over a period of time. The land becomes hot and dry. The air becomes humid and there is a lack of rainfall over a period of time. This results temperatures to increase thus causing climate change.

Volcanic eruptions- volcano eruptions gives off carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. This greenhouse gas is released into the air thus adding to global warming therefore resulting in climate change. Ocean current- (the ocean plays an important role in determining the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide) Kapadia 2004:3. When the ocean changes its circulation it may result in affecting the climate because carbon dioxide is moved in and out of our atmosphere during this circulation process. The more carbon dioxide means the more chances of adding to global warming thus resulting in climate change. Earths orbital changes- as the earth turns around the orbit it either moves closer to the sun or further away from the sun thus resulting in either a decrease of temperature or an increase in temperature. Sun spots- when the sun bursts it gives of small particles which are extremely hot. This results in hotter temperatures. Solar variation-the movements that occurs in space sometimes takes place irregularly thus resulting in climate change. Natural vegetation- When plants absorb in carbon dioxide through their stoma which is a natural process, water is produced in the stoma and when there is a decrease in carbon dioxide, the stoma decreases in size resulting in less water being emitted into the air thus decreasing the coolness of the atmosphere making temperatures warmer therefore causing a change in the climate. Geographical features- (when glaciers melt, it leads to an increase in river, lake and sea levels, it therefore causes everything to rise and resulting in land sinking, heavy storms and floods.) Singh 2008:41. Natural water supplies- due to the changes of temperature either caused by a natural cause or by human activities, rainfall either increases or decreases. When there is an increase in rainfall it causes wetlands to be present and wetlands starts to produce more methane. The majority of carbon dioxide is given off from wetlands. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas thus it promotes global warming resulting in climate change.

Natural building materials- cement is a key component used for constructions of buildings and bridges. This cement gives off methane and methane is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming resulting in climate change.

To what extent does climate change originate from human actions? Global warming- (when the earth retains more heat from the sun over time. The heat drives weather and increased water levels. Humans play a significant role in contributing to the increase in global warming) Jackson 2004:2. Such as from: Car exhaust pollutants (transport): motor vehicles produces nitrous oxide, the more vehicles that are being used, the more nitrous oxide are being released into the atmosphere thus polluting the air in the atmosphere and therefore causing climate changes resulting from global warming because (petrol, diesel are both fossil fuels.) Jackson 2004:5 Urbanisation: When people from the rural area migrate to the city and the central business district (CBD) resulting in the city becoming over populated, the factories and businesses increases thus leading to pollution of the earth because of harmful gases produced by factories. Large scale deforestation: The cutting of trees is rapidly increasing, this means that the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are increasing and more carbon dioxide heat is absorbed in the atmosphere therefore results in an increase of temperature leading to climate change. Demands of consumers: this causes the needs of people to increase as the population increases, thus the burning of fossil fuels increase to meet the needs of the people because some people burn these fuels as a source of energy to keep warm. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS): CFCS react with oxygen in the atmosphere and breaks down the ozone layer, causing the increase of ultra violet rays from the sun thus leads to heating up the earth. There are products that release carbon dioxide in the air, such as (deodorants, detergents and refrigerators.) Singh 2008:49

Burning of agriculture- veld fires and the burning of trees and forests impacts negatively on the environment, by burning agriculture it destroys and depletes many habitats and species which plays a key role in the contribution to the carbon percentage in the atmosphere. E.g. trees, trees take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. By burning trees it will interfere with the life cycle. Cattle farming- (cows are responsible for the release of methane gas. This gas has the ability to heat up the air 20 times faster than carbon dioxide.) Singh 2008:49 this causes global warming. (According to the UN cattle ranching is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, and this beats the emissions from all forms of transport combined) Singh 2008:49. Mining- when mining takes place; methane is released from the ground and is emitted into the air thus adding to greenhouse gases because methane is a greenhouse gas therefore causing global warming and climate change. Burning of fossil fuels- when people burn fossil fuels for greater energy supply such as coal, carbon dioxide is a bi-product which is released into the air. The greater amount of fossil fuels burnt the greater amount of carbon dioxide is released into the air thus causing climate change. The effects of climate change (both present and in the future) on human activities and the environment in Africa as a result of observations and climatic records. (Africa- by 2o2o, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increase water; yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% in some regions by 2020, agriculture production including access to food, may be severely compromised) Climate change in Africa 2007:1 Climate change is going to impact the world in a way we dont realize; annexure 3 and 4 supports my information on how it will affect South Africa. It is becoming a threat to many ecosystems and species. Many species will end up as fossils and extinct. Our diversity in Africa will be forgotten.

It has been drastically affecting the environment by causing soil degradation, less fertile soil due to floods and therefore food supply will become scares due to the lack of crops growing. Our life cycle will not be functional Access to sea- Because of climate change resulting from global warming the coral reefs are severely affected thus resulting in a depletion of marine life. Food availability- climate change can cause severe droughts and due to drought conditions there will be a rapid decrease in the amounts of crops growing and present crops will die thus this will affect the cycle of life to both human and animal life. Rainfall- increases over the years due to temperature increase. The changing rainfall patterns will result in the increase of sea levels and flooding. This damages the lives of many and infrastructures of the habitats and ecosystems. Due to the climate changing food prices will go up people will have to spend more to survive the less fortunate will suffer severe hardships as supported in annexure 3 (Higher temperatures and drought increase desertification Sea levels increase as icebergs and glaciers melt. Delicate marine ecosystems for example coral reefs and coastal areas are destroyed when sea levels increase. Tropical cyclones, thunder storms, tornadoes, droughts are increased. Greater risk of wild fires. Changing weather pattern. Cholera and malaria are increased which are water borne diseases. Some plants and animals become scarce. Rising food cost due in crop yields. Increase in mosquitos as they thrive in higher temperatures. Increased stress on water supply.

Populations will migrate as desertification increase in the Sahara. The rising temperature, wide spread water stress, increased frequency and severity of draughts and floods and rising sea levels will severely damage progress on development goals in Africa.

Heat waves will bring increased injuries and death. Vector and water-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and cholera may increase. An additional 67 million people in Africa could be at risk of malaria epidemics by the 2080s) Singh 2008:50

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR AFRICA BY : Individuals and Communities: Use alternate sources of energy such as hydroelectric and solar, to decrease the burning of coal and the release carbon dioxide percentage. When doing construction and building, use materials that are reflective and transparent to deflect heat, instead of absorbing it. Do not use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) products thus try to reduce the carbon percentage in our atmosphere to avoid ozone depletion and thus saving our ecosystem. Reduce cattle farming and methane emission example: reduce the meat intake in your diet. Encourage the planting of trees, do it together as a community. Encourage to start thinking green as it will save future generations. Start using public transport instead of taking your car to work every day thus reducing the amount of gas emissions released in the atmosphere. Promote recycling and use cotton bags so you can reuse it instead of purchasing plastic bags thus reducing pollution.

GOVERNMENT: Stricter laws to curb pollution, create penalties for those who pollute thus those ignorant about pollution will rectify their mistakes. Create educational programmes all over Africa to create an awareness to reduce pollution and ones carbon footprint. The government should implement the Kyoto Protocol which is discussed in annexure 4 which was an agreement that was placed in many countries around the year of 1997. The government should make use of such a protocol as it helps reduce the emissions of gases that cause the greenhouse effect which results in climate change.

Findings and discussions In my opinion I think that human activities have a greater amount of impact on climate change than natural factors do. From my graphs and articles we can see that as the years go by climate changes increases because of new infrastructure thus emitting more greenhouse gases and so forth. As humans we need to work together and stop emitting harmful gasses into the environment because these gases add to the greenhouse effect which results in climate change. I have used a graph to show how much of carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere. Annexure 1-The graph represented in annexure 1, the highest gas given off is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is harmful to our environment as it is one of the greenhouse gases and it leads to global warming therefore results in climate change. Carbon dioxide is mostly contributed by human factors. Annexure 2-As we can see in annexure 2 The reason why temperatures and rainfall is increasing in Africa is due to the fact that too many greenhouse gasses are being emitted into the environment because as years go by people and the world becomes modern, new buildings and factories are being built thus the greater amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere therefore leads to climate change. Higher temperatures and heavy rainfall will occur.

Conclusion In my essay I have defined what climate change is, I have explained its causes, effects and given suggested solutions. In my opinion I think that human have a greater amount of impact on climate change than natural factors. As humans we need to work together and stop emitting harmful gasses into the environment because these gases add to the greenhouse effects which results in climate change.

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