Global Climate Change

Global climate change refers to "a long-term change in the Earth’s climate, or of a region on Earth." Some people may confuse global warning with climate change but "global warming refers to surface temperature increases, while climate change includes global warming and everything else that increasing greenhouse gas amounts will affect."

After many years of trying to figure out why the climate has changed so drastically over time, scientists have come up with the conclusion that "greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere by human activities are the main cause of contemporary global warming."

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. The following are the main greenhouse gases that effects the earths climate: 1. Carbon dioxide 2. Methane 3. Nitrous oxide 4. Other fluorinated gases such as perfluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons that are emitted because of industrialization purposes. CO2's are a result of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal). Methane is also a result of coal, gas, and oil. But can also be emitted through livestock and waste. Nitrous oxide and other fluorinated gases are result of industrialization.

Climate Change and the Water Industry is an article about how climate change is not only affecting weather patterns and the world's ecosystem, but also posing serious challenges to the world’s water supply. Climate change has had a negative effect on the access, quality, and scarcity of our water supply. In order to solve this problem, US water providers must "find solutions to maintain adequate levels of water supply to communities; ensure high standards of water quality in the face of droughts or flooding; and balance the need for infrastructure improvements while keeping this vital resource as affordable as possible." Intense weather patterns, for example: hurricanes, floods, and droughts has compromised water infrastructure. Some of these effects can be seen in the increase of sea levels and runoffs.

Water is essential life. We must make it priority to find a way to limit greenhouse gas emissions and conserve the water we have while also developing new water conservation strategies. We as consumers, the water utility industry, government, and businesses must do something NOW.