Global Environment Note #06
“Note on Global Environment from Hokkaido” is a special series that will send you a report of Environment of the world, Japan and Hokkaido NOW, and give you hints to begin Eco-friendly life Now, to reduce the GHG (Green House Gas) by 6%, in order to avoid the global warming.The key for the sixth series is “6.4 ℃”
Taking account of the present situation of global warming, IPCC predicts that global temperature could rise up to 6.4 ℃ by the end of the 21st century. Earth is similar to human body in that it falls ill with a 1 ℃ rise in temperature. What happens if the temperature rises by 6.4 ℃?Using this Global Environment Note as a guide, let us now think of the future of the Earth.
What is IPCC?
An international organization that evaluates global climate change
IPCC is the abbreviation of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It was established in 1988 as a scientific body tasked to compile and assess the latest scientific, technical and socioeconomic knowledge about human-induced climate change, and give advices and counsel to governments. Its constituency is made not only of the governments, but also the scientists from all over the world. IPCC was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its works and achievements.The average global temperature rise is 4.0 ℃
The IPCC publishes its reports called “assessment report” at regular intervals, providing the latest research outcomes and projected impacts of global warming. The fourth assessment report released in 2007 predicts that the average surface temperature at the end of the 21st century will be 4.0 ℃ (or 6.4 ℃ at the maximum) higher than the 1990 level, if human society continues to consume fossil fuel energy at the current rate.What are the results of temperature rise due to global warming?
Global Warming is proceeding for certa
Global mean air temperature increased about 0.74 ℃ in the last hundred years, and there are increased risks of abrupt climate change. The 2005 Hurricane Katrina that hit the southern coast of the United States with devastating effect may be fresh in memory for many people. Another serious issue to mention is the coral reef bleaching caused by increased ocean temperature. It is especially serious in the Pacific Ocean, where more than 3000 km2 of the reef is lost per year.Changes in Japanese four seasons
The effect of global warming has also begun to occur in Japan. For instance, the flowering season for cherry blossom in Japan is said to have become 4.2 days earlier within the last 50 years. In addition, in July 2007, there were two sites in Honshu that recorded 40.9 ℃, renewing the maximum air temperature record since 74 years ago. Other 101 observatories in Japan also marked the highest temperature ever recorded.
What are the effects to human society?
Risks for deadly natural disasters and food shortage
The increasing temperature caused by global warming is said to have serious effects to human society. Global scale climate change is said to result in frequent natural disasters such as flooding, drought and heat wave, causing many casualties throughout the world. In addition, agricultural production such as rice and oat is liable to become unstable, inducing serious food shortage, particularly in the developing countries.
“Illness” induced by global warming
Another serious problem caused by global warming is the effect to human health. The increasing global temperature may trigger the outbreak of tropical infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, as mosquitoes and other vectors expand their range. Also, if the global average temperature rises by 4.0 ℃, Japan is projected to have 70 more summer days with temperature over 30 ℃, leading to increased number of victims affected by heat exhaustion.
What happens to Hokkaido?
Global warming is also a serious issue for the people living in Hokkaido. Increased ocean temperature would cause changes in marine ecosystem, including algae and fish in the Sea of Okhotsk. In turn, it would have serious effect to the fish catch in the sea area. Rise in temperature would also change inland vegetation. For instance, Hidakaso (Callianthemum miyabeanum) growing in Mt. Apoi of Hidaka Mountains is believed to become extinct within 30 years.
Stop global warming NOW
In addition to the potential dangers listed above, global warming is said to affect snowfall from winter to spring, change water level in river, then greatly influence domestic and industrial water supply. `
All of us living in Hokkaido should also consider global warming as a problem closely related to our lives, and cooperate together to stop it.