Climate Change, Research Paper Example

Because of the crucial role that oceans play in protecting the planet, they are also a window into the ways in which climate changes are affecting the earth. Normally, water patterns circulate all over the globe in a consistent manner so that alterations in the “great Ocean conveyor belt” have an impact on worldwide climate as well as the inhabitants of the oceans (Climate Change in the Oceans.) Such factors as ocean acidification, rising sea levels and melting of polar ice caps are threatening the health of our planet. Over the last few decades, the coldest deepest ocean water that flows around Antarctica, called the Antarctica Bottom Water, has been disappearing rapidly. These currents play a critical role in transporting heat and carbon around the planet, helping to regulate the earth’s climate (Coldest Deepest Ocean Water Mysteriously Disappears.) Significant modifications in the temperature, salt content, dissolved oxygen and dissolved carbon dioxide present important threats to the Earth’s climate, which include contributing to the rising sea levels and the rate of the Earth’s heat absorption.

The disappearance of land, which is already occurring, will have a significant impact on climate change as well.  These variations will most clearly be experienced by changes in the natural ecosystem, placing diminishing chunks of land masses under pressure for productive purposes as well as human settlement (Dyer.) These lands will be affected by sea level rise as well as constantly devastating storm events, in particular in South Asia, large coastal cities, regions of Sub-Saharan Africa that are confronted with climate variability which pose threats to the sustainability of farming, and the irrigation systems that have been accommodated by glacial melt-waters.  In addition, any long-term plan for land tenure must consider the reduction of carbon emissions while avoiding deforestation and reforestation plans which will have a tremendous impact on the land rights of indigenous people including women (Dyer.)

Works Cited:

“Climate Change in the Oceans.” 2012. New England Aquarium. 23 October 2012.  <http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/climate_change_and_the_oceans.php>.

“Coldest Deepest Ocean Water Mysteriously Disappears.” 21 May 2012. Our Amazing Planet. 23 October 2012 <http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2651-coldest-deepest-ocean-water-disappearing.html>.

Dyer, Nat and Quan, Julian.  Climate Change and Land Tenure: Implications of Climate Change for Land Tenure and Land Policy. Conference report. Greenwich: International Institute for Environment and Development, 2008.