SOCIAL STUDIES NOTE FOR GRADE 8

Name: Gr. and Sec.

UNIT 7
UNIT SEVEN: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL ISSUES

7.1 Climate change

7.1.1 The idea of climate change
 Climate change refers to the long-term changes in global temperatures and other
characteristics of the atmosphere. It refers to any change in climate over time, due to
either natural variability or human activities.
 Global temperature is raising weather patterns are changing, polar ice is melting, and
sea level is rising.
 Climate has changed throughout Earth’s long history, but this time it’s different. Climate
change is a particular apparent from the mid to late 20 th century onwards and attributed
largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of
fossil fuels.
7.1.2. Causes and Effects of Global Warming
 There are different factors responsible for climate changes. They include both human and
natural factors. These factors are discussed as follow: -
I. Human factors responsible for climate change
a) Urbanization: - Cities are warmer and more polluted than the countryside. For
example, in rural area, a large part of the incoming solar energy evaporates water
from vegetation and soil. Whereas, in cities, much of the sun’s heat is absorbed by
building asphalted roads.
b) Nuclear war: a nuclear war would rise an enormous of thick smoke from massive
fires that would burn for days, even weeks following an attack. The smoke would
move higher into the atmosphere and increase earth’s temperature.
c) Global warming: is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the
greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other
pollutants. Global warming is one of the factors that cause climate change.

2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 1

  Human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping
greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere.
 Carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere trap heat energy from the sun. This
process is called Greenhouse effect.
 The earth is warmed during the day by the incoming radiation from the sun while the
earth also loses its heat at night through outgoing infrared radiation. Our earth
temperature remains constant due to the long period of time balance of the outgoing
infrared radiation which loses its heat at night and the incoming radiation from the sun at
daytime.
 The gases in the atmosphere act as a blanket for the earth as they prevent the escape of
infra-red radiation (short wave radiation). These gases in the atmosphere are called
Green House gases.
Major Greenhouse Gases
A. Causes of Global Warming
 The major contributions of the global warming to the global warming are the surplus
availability of certain gases in the atmosphere. These gases are: -
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) 72%
 It is the most important single factor in global warming.
 It is mainly produced from road vehicles, burning of fossil fuels in factories,
 Deforestation is also secondary source of carbon dioxide.
 The burning of the tropical rain forest.
 Since the economically more developed countries consume 3/4 th of the world
energy, they are responsible for the release of this gas.
 Water vapor, H2O: evaporation, plant respiration.
2. Chlorofluorocarbon ( CFCS ) 13%
 It is used for the manufacturing of refrigerators, cooling fans, aerosol sprays, solvents
and foams.
 It is a family of Ozone depleting substances called Chlorine, Fluorine and Carbon.
 It is released from refrigerators and the most damaging of the greenhouse gases to
deplete Ozone.
3. Methane ( CH4 ) 10%

2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 2

  It is released from decaying organic substance or matter such as animal waste/dung/,
biomass, burning, fossil fuels, landfills, livestock, rice paddies, sewage, wetlands, farm
remains, and production of coal.
 Example: The rice fields of South East Asia are the major source of the methane.
4. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 5%
 It is biomass burning, deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, and microbial activity on
fertilizers in the soil.
 It is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities.
 Vehicle exhausts, fertilizer, nylon manufacture, power stations.
B. Effects of global warming
 The major consequences of global warming are the predicted world changes in climate and
sea-levels.
d) The Depletion of Ozone layer
 Ozone layer is a form of Oxygen gas.
 The major concentration of Ozone is in the layer which is found in the Stratosphere 25-
30km above the sea level.
 It acts (serves) as a shield (blanket) to protect the earth from the damaging effects of
Ultra violet radiation (short wave radiation) from the sun.
 Scientists have found that gases called CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) destroy ozone gas.
They are used in refrigerators and aviation. Holes have been discovered in the ozone
layer above the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. Had it not been for ozone layer, our
planet would have been without life.
 Scientists claimed that 1% depletion of ozone results 5% increase on skin cancer. It has been
3% since 1970.
 Effects of Ozone Depletion are: -
 Skin cancer
 Decrease immunity of human bodies
 Effects on climate
 Effects on human respiratory system
 Further rise in temperature
 Ecological effects etc.
2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 3
 e) Acid Rain
 Acid rain: coal and oil release a mixture of gases as they burn. These gases are combined
with water vapor, sunlight and oxygen to form Sulphuric acid and nitric acid, which fall
back to earth as acid rain. This rain can kill plants and fish, leach nutrients from the soil,
damage buildings, and reduce agricultural and forest productivity.
II. Natural factors responsible for climate change
 There are a number of factors that are responsible for climate change. A few of these
factors are mentioned below: -
a) Oceans: - The oceans play a major role in the formation of world climate system. They
are huge storehouse for carbon dioxide. The oceans also store heat energy. Because of
this, the oceans can determine the global pattern and speed of climate change.
b) Clouds: - Clouds also reflect incoming sunlight and absorb infrared radiation from the
earth. Because of this clouds have both cooling and warming effects on the earth’s
climate.
Effects of Climate Change on human life and the physical environment
 Human health has always been influenced by climate and weather. Changes in climate
and climate variability affect the environment that provides us with clean air, food,
water, shelter, and security.
 Climate change threatens human health and well-being in numerous ways.
 The health effects of these disruptions include: increased respiratory and
cardiovascular disease, injuries and premature deaths related to extreme weather
events, infectious diseases, and threats to mental health.
 Climate affects every aspect of life forms, such as plants, animals and humans. All living things
could survive best under favorable climatic conditions. Any unfavorable change in climates may
result in destruction of species.
 The following are some of the effects of climate change: -
A. Desertification: refers to the persistent degradation of dry land ecosystems by climatic
variations and human activities.
B. Droughts, famines and starvations: result in an extensive damage to plants, crops and animals
as well as the death of millions of people.

2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 4

C. A rise in the sea-level: as alpine glaciers begin to recede, polar ice melts, and the oceans expand
as they slowly warm. Rising ocean levels might have a damaging influence on coastal marine life.
In addition, coastal ground water supplies might become contaminated with salt water.
D. Loss of biodiversity: extinction and extermination of plants and animals of the world.
E. Hydrological cycle: the ‘normal’ process of hydrological cycle would be disrupted by global
warming.
7.1.3 The Development of climate Action
 Climate action: means stepped-up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen
resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-induced impacts, including: climate-related
hazards.
 Global climate change is a growing threat to human well-being in developing and industrialized
nations alike. It is largely caused by the combustion of fossil fuels and by deforestation.
Significant harm from climate change is already occurring, and further damages are a certainty.
 The challenge now is to keep climate change from becoming a catastrophe.
Mitigation measures to prevent climate change
 When it comes tackling climate change to prevent the impacts it cause in different system of the
planet the human being applies two types measures, these are mitigation and adaptation.
Mitigation measures attend to the causes of climate change, while adaptations address its
impacts.
How to mitigate climate change?
 There are some mitigation measures that can be taken into avoid the increase of pollutant
emission.
 Practice energy efficiency
 Greater use renewable energy
 Efficient means of transport implementation electric public transport, bicycle
 Carbon tax and emission markets
Adaptation to climate change
 In climate measures there are several actions that help to reducing vulnerability to the
consequence of climate change.
 More secure facility and infrastructure
 Landscape restoration like reforestation
 Research and development on possible catastrophes, temperature behavior
 Preventive and precautionary measures (evacuation, plans, health issues, etc.
7.1.4. Case studies on issues in their locality
2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 5
 The basis of Ethiopia’s mitigation policy is Climate-Resilience Green Economy (CRGE)
strategy which aims to keep greenhouse gas emissions low and build climate resilience, while
achieving middle-income status by 2025. The strategy is based on four pillars:
a) Reducing agricultural emissions,
b) Protecting and expanding forests,
c) Expanding renewable electricity generation, and adopting energy efficient technologies
in transport,
d) Industry and the built environment.
 The Ethiopian government plans to increase fuel efficiency standards and promote the uptake of
hybrid and electric vehicles; construct a renewable energy powered electric rail network;
improve public transportation in the capital, Addis Ababa; and increase the use of biofuels.
7.1.5 Air Pollution
 Pollution: - can be defined as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological
characteristics of air, water and land that may be harmful to human life and other animals.
 Air Pollution: -is defined as the presence of materials in the air in such concentration which are
harmful to human and their environment. A number of ingredients find their way in the air and
these are mostly gases, which rapidly spread over wide areas.
Sources of Air Pollution
 Fossil fuels, industries, agricultural activities, wars, natural causes and emissions from
vehicles are various sources of air pollution. Some sources of air pollution are discussed below: -
1) Burning Fossil Fuels: - Burning of wood, charcoal and other fossil fuels causes air pollution by
the release of carbon dioxide (CO2), Sulphur dioxide etc.
2) Emissions from Automobiles: - Vehicles are mainly responsible for more than 80% of total air
pollution. The major pollutants released from automobiles, locomotives, aircraft etc., include CO,
an burnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.
3) Industrial emissions: - Paper and pulp factories, petroleum refineries, fertilizer plants, and steel
industries, thermal power plants are the main sources of air pollution. They add various harmful
gases like CO, SO, NO, Hydrocarbons etc., to the atmosphere. Textile factories release cotton
dust into the air.
4) Agricultural Activities: -Spraying of insecticides and weedicides also cause air pollution. These,
when inhaled create severe problems to both animals and man.
5) Wars: -Various forms of explosives used in war pollute the air by releasing poisonous gases.
This greatly disturbs the ecology of the area. Nuclear explosions pollute air by radioactive rays.
The effects of nuclear explosions on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are well-known examples.
2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 6
6) Natural Causes: -Gas emissions from active volcanoes, marsh gas, spores of fungi and pollens
are the natural causes of air pollution.
7.2 Water shortage /Scarcity
 About 71% of the earth’s total surface is covered by water bodies majorly occupied by
seas and oceans. Of the earth’s total water surface, nearly 97.5% is alkaline accumulated
in seas and oceans. The remaining 2.5% is fresh water, of which nearly 68.7% is
deposited in glaciers, 30.1% in ground water, 0.8% in permafrost and 0.4% in
surface waters.
 Water in lakes, rivers, atmosphere, soils and wetlands are considered as surface waters.
Surface and ground waters are by far the most abundant and easily available fresh
waters. However, fresh water is distributed unevenly throughout the world following
varied latitudinal locations, climatic and topographic setups.
 Water shortage/ scarcity: is a lack of sufficient water, or not having access to safe
water supplies. Water scarcity is caused by natural and human activities. Water is
unequally distributed over time and space. Much of it is wasted, polluted and
unsustainably managed. Water shortages have a great impact on human health, socio-
economic development, and the environment.
 Water shortages have a direct impact on crops and livestock which can lead to food
shortages and eventually starvation.
 It also generates sanitation problems by forcing people to drink unsafe water.
 Lack of water causes other diseases, such as trachoma (an eye infection that can cause
blindness), plague and typhus.
 In addition, Water scarcity has different negative impacts on rivers, lakes, and other
freshwater resources. It harms the environment in several ways including increased
salinity, nutrient pollution, and the loss of floodplains and wetlands.
 Water Conservation at Home: is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce
unnecessary water usage.
 Although households use much less water than agriculture or industry, a few changes
to residential water use will make a significant contribution to water conservation.
7.3 Deforestation

2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 7

  Deforestation: refers to the indiscriminate cutting of trees or the process of removing the
trees from an area of land. Forest areas are cleared for having additional agricultural
croplands, urbanization, or mining activities.
A. Causes of Deforestation
1) Expansion of Agricultural activities: -The main reasons why people require large areas are both
to raise livestock and to grow food crops.
2) Constructions of infrastructures: - The construction of modern urban infrastructures has also
been driving forces that accelerate deforestation.
3) Rapid Urbanization: - The population shift that is leading people to move from rural areas to
urban areas is also contributing to deforestation.
4) Demand for fuel wood
B. Effects of deforestation
 The followings are some of the effects of deforestation
1) Loss of Habitat: One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of
animal and plant species due to their loss of habitat. The trees of the rainforest that provide
shelter for some species also provide the canopy that regulates the temperature. Deforestation
results in a more drastic temperature variation from day to night, much like a desert, which could
prove fatal for many inhabitants.
2) Increased Greenhouse Gases: -lack of trees also allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to
be released into the atmosphere.
3) Depletion of Water in the atmosphere: - The trees also help to control the level of water in the
atmosphere by helping to regulate the water cycle. In deforested areas, there is less water in the
air to be returned to the soil. This causes dryer soil and the inability to grow crops.
4) Erosion and Flooding: - Trees help the land to retain water and topsoil, which provides the rich
nutrients to sustain additional forest life. Without forests, the soil gets eroded and washed away,
causing farmers to move on and perpetuate the cycle. The barren land which is left behind in the
wake of these unsustainable agricultural practices is then more susceptible to flooding,
specifically in coastal regions.
 To alleviate this problem individuals and communities have to be willing to sacrifice personal
enjoyment, reducing waste of resources, using environmentally friendly new products and
supporting government’s adaptation strategies.
---------------------//---------------------

THE END

2016E.C. CRUISE SCHOOL, A.A Social Studies Note GRADE 8 8