Understanding Climate Change, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis
What Climate Models Predict
Climate models predict that the average global temperature of Earth will rise between 1.4 and 6 ºC by the end of the 21st century. The sea level is expected to rise between 20 and 80 cm above the current level by the end of the century. Extreme weather events will become more pronounced.
Environmental Effects
- Loss of biodiversity
- Alteration of seasonal variations of species
- Disappearance of humidity and other vulnerable ecosystems
Health Effects
Tropical diseases could spread to new regions.
Disparate Impact of Climate Change
Not all locations are equally vulnerable to climate change, and the magnitude of changes will vary by location.
What Can We Do About Climate Change?
Early action is crucial to tackle climate change. The climate system has inertia, meaning there is a time lag between changes in variables and the resulting consequences. Climate change affects the entire planet, and everyone must take action.
Measures to Tackle Climate Change
- Increase the use of renewable energies to curb the burning of fossil fuels.
- Improve the efficiency of cars to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Improve the energy efficiency of appliances.
- Promote energy efficiency in buildings.
- Promote scientific research and technological development geared towards energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and CO2 retention.
- Protect and enhance natural greenhouse gas sinks.
- Investigate and experiment with technologies that act as artificial CO2 sinks.
What Can You Do?
Reduce, recycle, and reuse:
- Recycle glass, paper, cardboard, and cans. Buy products with minimal packaging.
- Use recyclable bags when you go shopping.
- Walk or ride a bike for short distances. Use public transport.
- Turn off lights when not needed.
- Wait to use appliances during low-heating periods.
Risk Assessment: Hazard, Exposure, and Vulnerability
Risk is the probability of damage or catastrophe occurring to the population or their goods in an area due to a natural event.
Factors Influencing Risk
- Hazard: The potential for a catastrophic event and its frequency.
- Exposure: The volume of population and assets that can be affected.
- Vulnerability: The susceptibility of a community to damage.
Prevention
Prediction is based on statistical data indicating whether a phenomenon is frequent or infrequent in an area. Prevention involves adopting necessary measures to minimize the effects of an event on the population or property.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are ground vibrations caused by the sudden release of energy accumulated in rocks subjected to stress.
Measuring Earthquakes
Earthquakes are measured using seismographs, which produce seismograms. The magnitude of an earthquake is the amount of energy released, measured on the Richter scale (32 times).
Where Do Earthquakes Occur?
Places with high seismicity are located in major fractures that generally coincide with the boundaries between lithospheric plates.
Predicting Earthquakes
Currently, there is no reliable system to predict the occurrence of an earthquake in advance. Seismic hazard maps are created based on:
- The location or area in the limit of a plate.
- Local geological features, such as existing materials and the presence of active faults and seismic longitude.
- The history of the area.
Seismic Risk Prevention
- Develop seismic risk maps.
- Establish earthquake-resistant construction standards.
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a set of huge waves caused by a sudden rise in the volume of a large body of water.
Characteristics of a Tsunami
- Moves a huge volume of water.
- Spreads with little loss of intensity.
- Often preceded by a sea retreat.