CHANGE OF CLIMATE

The climate of the Earth is always changing.
In the past it has altered as a result of natural causes.

Nowadays, however, the term 'climate change' is generally used when referring to changes in our climate which have been identified since the early part of the 1900's.

The changes we have seen over the recent years and those which are predicted over the next 80 years are thought to be mainly as a result of human behaviour rather than due to natural changes in the atmosphere.

What we know as 'greenhouse effect' relates to the gases which keep the Earth warm.
But it is 'the extra greenhouse gases which human have released' which are thought to pose the strongest threat.

Some scientists disagree with the global predictions for climate change, and believe it's impossible to be certain about how our climate will change.
Climate can be very unpredictable and is supposed to change naturally, as we all know it has done before.
That's why many believe activities from humans can't be to blame for changes in the climate.

But we know for sure that sea levels are raising globally, that arctic and antarctic sea ice is thinning and that rainfall is becoming heavier in some parts of the world, while there is a severe lack of rain in others.
Mountain glaciers in non polar regions have retreated (yes, a lot in just a few years), as for instance in the Alps, in the Pyrenees Mount Aneto, etc.etc.


But over here, in our country, we have seen some of this global predictions (for climate change) come true :

* We have experienced increased heat waves and hot spells.
* We are suffering a serious draught in Catalonia, that creates big problems at the moment....
* While in other parts of Spain there is an increase of precipitation events, due to more rainfall, and danger from higher sea waves than they had.
* Spring is coming about 2-3 weeks earlier than it would 30 years ago, and Autumn about 1-2 weeks later.


As to other parts of the world, it is not clear what is happening with thunderstorms or tornadoes, but in Asia the last monsoons intensificated dramatically and originated deadly floods. And Africa suffers from most extraordinary draughts and floods.

So, evidence is beginning to mount that the climate is changing, or has already changed, and these changes are having an effect on humans as well as on wildlife.

Then, it's high time to decide if we humans have caused them, and take into account the necessary changes in technology and lifestyle.

By reducing green-house gases we could still limit the impact.

Even a change in temperature of under 1C is enough to cause changes in rainfall and sea-level rises.

Don't believe it's already too late to prevent global warming and, therefore, the climate change.




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