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Other Impacts of Climate Change

  • Urban Heat Island (UHI): Urban areas are typically warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities. This phenomenon occurs because cities have a high concentration of buildings and roads that absorb and retain heat during the day and release it slowly at night. The lack of vegetation further exacerbates this effect, as plants naturally cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration. UHI can lead to increased energy consumption for cooling, heightened air pollution, and aggravated health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations.

  • Ocean Acidification: As atmospheric CO2 levels rise, oceans absorb about a quarter of this carbon dioxide, leading to a decrease in pH levels in ocean waters—a process known as ocean acidification. Lower pH levels can harm marine life, especially organisms like corals, mollusks, and certain plankton species that depend on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons. The consequences of ocean acidification include weakened marine ecosystems and diminished fish stocks that are vital to global food security and local economies.

  • Extreme Weather Events: Climate change is linked to an increase in the frequency and severity of various extreme weather events, such as:

    • Big storms: More intense storms and hurricanes result from warmer ocean temperatures. These storms can lead to catastrophic flooding, wind damage, and loss of life. For example, storms are now forming with greater intensity in warmer waters, leading to more destructive outcomes.

    • Hurricanes: Hurricanes are becoming stronger and more unpredictable. Warmer sea surface temperatures provide more energy for hurricanes, contributing to their intensity and rainfall capacity, which can overwhelm infrastructure and lead to significant economic and human devastation.

    • Flooding: Climate change leads to both an increase in heavy rainfall events and a rise in sea levels, contributing to flooding in coastal and low-lying areas. Floods can damage homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands, leading to long-term economic challenges and displacement of populations.

  • More Droughts and Heat Waves: As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of droughts and heat waves are expected to increase. Droughts can lead to severe water shortages, impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and energy production. Meanwhile, prolonged heat waves can pose serious health risks, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, and can strain energy resources as more people increase their cooling needs during these periods.

Sustainable Development Concepts

  • Definition: Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept emphasizes the importance of balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. It was notably outlined in the Brundtland Commission's report "Our Common Future" in 1987, highlighting the interconnectedness of these elements.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. No Poverty

  2. Zero Hunger

  3. Good Health and Well-Being

  4. Quality Education

  5. Gender Equality

  6. Clean Water and Sanitation

  7. Affordable and Clean Energy

  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  10. Reduced Inequalities

  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

  12. Responsible Consumption and Production

  13. Climate Action

  14. Life Below Water

  15. Life on Land

  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  17. Partnerships for the Goals

Environmental Degradation

  • Deforestation: The act of cutting down trees and clearing forests for development, including agriculture, logging, and urban expansion. Global deforestation averages between 8 to 15 million hectares annually (IAP, 2010), leading to a loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems. For example, Malaysia saw a dramatic 115% increase in deforestation in the first quarter of 2013 (NASA, 2014), with Sarawak showing considerable changes in forest cover since 2011 (Sukumaran, 2013).

  • Impact of Deforestation: Human activity that clears forests can lead to irreversible damage to ecosystems, as areas may never regenerate naturally. Malaysia lost an estimated 14.4% of its forest area between 2000 and 2012 (Butler, 2013), affecting carbon storage, climate regulation, and habitats for numerous species.

Ecological Deficit/Reserve

  • Ecological Deficit: Occurs when a population's ecological footprint exceeds the biocapacity of the region, meaning the demand on the environment surpasses what it can regenerate sustainably. This can lead to the importation of biocapacity and depletion of ecological assets, including increased carbon dioxide emissions.

  • Ecological Reserve: The condition where a region's biocapacity exceeds its population's ecological footprint, indicating a sustainable balance between resource consumption and environmental health, which supports ecosystem integrity and species survival.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

  • Overview: A major development initiative launched by China that aims to enhance connectivity and collaboration across Asia, Europe, and Africa through infrastructure investments—referred to as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

  • Environmental Impact: While the BRI presents economic opportunities, it also raises concerns about potential negative effects on threatened species and environmentally sensitive areas. Increased accessibility may result in more resource extraction with unclear environmental and ecological consequences, posing a long-term threat to biodiversity and local ecosystems.

Social Impact of Climate Change

  • High vulnerability among developing countries is a pressing concern, illustrated by the 262 million people who were affected by climate disasters in 2004. Such events disproportionately impact those with fewer resources to adapt or recover from disasters.

  • Sea Level Rise: Rising sea levels due to melting ice caps and thermal expansion poses a significant risk, as decreased land availability and resource scarcity can force population migrations, leading to sociopolitical tensions and challenges in urban planning and infrastructure.

Population Growth Trends

  • Recent Data: In 2018, the world population reached 7.8 billion, with projections estimating growth to 9.7 billion by 2050, raising concerns over resource availability, environmental sustainability, and social stability.

  • Regional Distribution: Developing regions, particularly in Asia and Africa, are experiencing significant population growth, which poses challenges in providing adequate resources, education, and healthcare.

Cities and Climate Change

  • Urban areas, although they cover only 2% of the Earth's surface, consume between 60-80% of energy resources. Rapid urbanization demands that infrastructure in cities be expanded and updated to support economic growth and meet the needs of residents sustainably.

Carbon Footprint

  • The carbon footprint represents the total greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by individuals and organizations. The use of personal carbon calculators can help estimate and manage individual carbon footprints, encouraging behaviors that contribute to reducing overall environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

Kesan Lain Perubahan Iklim

Pulau Haba Bandar (UHI): Kawasan bandar biasanya lebih panas berbanding kawasan luar bandar akibat aktiviti manusia. Fenomena ini berlaku kerana bandar mempunyai kepekatan tinggi bangunan dan jalan raya yang menyerap dan menahan haba pada siang hari serta melepaskannya perlahan-lahan pada malam hari. Kekurangan tumbuh-tumbuhan memburukkan lagi kesan ini, kerana tumbuhan menyejukkan udara melalui proses evapotranspirasi. UHI boleh meningkatkan penggunaan tenaga untuk penyejukan, memperburuk pencemaran udara, dan membahayakan kesihatan, terutamanya bagi golongan rentan.

Pengasidan Lautan: Apabila tahap CO2 atmosfera meningkat, lautan menyerap kira-kira satu perempat karbon dioksida ini, menyebabkan penurunan pH air laut—proses yang dikenali sebagai pengasidan lautan. Tahap pH yang lebih rendah boleh memudaratkan hidupan marin, terutamanya organisma seperti karang, moluska, dan plankton yang memerlukan kalsium karbonat untuk membentuk cangkerang dan rangka. Kesan pengasidan lautan termasuk ekosistem marin yang lemah dan pengurangan stok ikan yang penting untuk keselamatan makanan global dan ekonomi tempatan.

Peristiwa Cuaca Ekstrem: Perubahan iklim dikaitkan dengan peningkatan kekerapan dan keparahan pelbagai peristiwa cuaca ekstrem, seperti:

  • Ribut besar: Ribut dan taufan yang lebih kuat berpunca daripada suhu lautan yang lebih panas. Ribut ini boleh menyebabkan banjir teruk, kerosakan angin, dan kehilangan nyawa. Contohnya, ribut kini terbentuk dengan intensiti lebih tinggi di perairan panas, menyebabkan kesan lebih merosakkan.

  • Taufan: Taufan menjadi lebih kuat dan sukar diramal. Suhu permukaan laut yang lebih tinggi memberikan lebih tenaga untuk taufan, meningkatkan intensiti dan kapasiti hujan yang boleh membanjiri infrastruktur dan mengakibatkan kerosakan ekonomi serta kemanusiaan.

  • Banjir: Perubahan iklim meningkatkan kejadian hujan lebat dan kenaikan paras laut, menyumbang kepada banjir di kawasan pantai dan rendah. Banjir boleh merosakkan rumah, infrastruktur, dan tanah pertanian, menyebabkan cabaran ekonomi jangka panjang serta perpindahan penduduk.

Lebih Banyak Kemarau dan Gelombang Haba: Apabila suhu global terus meningkat, kekerapan dan keparahan kemarau serta gelombang hawa dijangka meningkat. Kemarau boleh menyebabkan kekurangan air teruk, menjejaskan pertanian, bekalan air minum, dan pengeluaran tenaga. Sementara itu, gelombang haba berpanjangan berisiko terhadap kesihatan, terutamanya warga tua dan mereka yang mempunyai masalah kesiahatan sedia ada, serta meningkatkan permintaan tenaga untuk penyejukan.

Konsep Pembangunan Lestari

Definisi: Pembangunan lestari ditakrifkan sebagai pembangunan yang memenuhi keperluan masa kini tanpa menjejaskan keupayaan generasi masa depan untuk memenuhi keperluan mereka. Konsep ini menekankan keseimbangan antara pertumbuhan ekonomi, perlindungan alam sekitar, dan keadilan sosial. Ia digariskan dalam laporan Suruhanjaya Brundtland, "Our Common Future" (1987), yang menonjolkan perkaitan antara elemen-elemen ini.

Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari (SDGs):

  1. Tiada Kemiskinan

  2. Kelaparan Sifar

  3. Kesihatan dan Kesejahteraan Baik

  4. Pendidikan Berkualiti

  5. Kesaksamaan Gender

  6. Air Bersih dan Sanitasi

  7. Tenaga Bersih dan Mampu Milik

  8. Kerja Bermaruah dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi

  9. Industri, Inovasi, dan Infrastruktur

  10. Mengurangkan Ketaksamaan

  11. Bandar dan Komuniti Lestari

  12. Penggunaan dan Pengeluaran Bertanggungjawab

  13. Tindakan Iklim

  14. Kehidupan di Bawah Air

  15. Kehidupan di Darat

  16. Keamanan, Keadilan, dan Institusi Kukuh

  17. Perkongsian untuk Matlamat

Kemerosotan Alam Sekitar

Penyahutanan: Aktiviti menebang pokok dan membersihkan hutan untuk pembangunan, termasuk pertanian, pembalakan, dan pengembangan bandar. Purata penyahutanan global ialah 8 hingga 15 juta hektar setahun (IAP, 2010), menyebabkan kehilangan biodiversiti dan gangguan ekosistem. Contohnya, Malaysia mengalami peningkatan 115% dalam penyahutanan pada suku pertama 2013 (NASA, 2014), dengan Sarawak menunjukkan perubahan ketara dalam litupan hutan sejak 2011 (Sukumaran, 2013).

Kesan Penyahutanan: Aktiviti manusia yang membersihkan hutan boleh menyebabkan kerosakan kekal kepada ekosistem, kerana kawasan tersebut mungkin tidak mampu pulih secara semula jadi. Malaysia kehilangan 14.4% kawasan hutannya antara 2000 dan 2012 (Butler, 2013), menjejaskan penyimpanan karbon, pengawalan iklim, dan habitat spesies.

Defisit/Rizab Ekologi

  • Defisit Ekologi: Berlaku apabila jejak ekologi populasi melebihi bio-kapasiti kawasan, bermaksud permintaan terhadap alam sekitar melebihi keupayaannya untuk menjana semula secara lestari. Ini boleh menyebabkan import bio-kapasiti dan pengurangan aset ekologi, termasuk peningkatan pelepasan karbon dioksida.

  • Rizab Ekologi: Keadaan di mana bio-kapasiti kawasan melebihi jejak ekologi penduduk, menunjukkan keseimbangan lestari antara penggunaan sumber dan kesihatan alam sekitar, yang menyokong integriti ekosistem dan kelangsungan spesies.

Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan (BRI)
Gambaran Keseluruhan: Inisiatif pembangunan utama oleh China untuk meningkatkan konektiviti dan kerjasama merentasi Asia, Eropah, dan Afrika melalui pelaburan infrastruktur—dikenali sebagai Jalur Ekonomi Silk Road dan Laluan Maritim Abad ke-21.

Kesan Alam Sekitar: Walaupun BRI menawarkan peluang ekonomi, ia juga menimbulkan kebimbangan tentang kesan negatif terhadap spesies terancam dan kawasan sensitif alam sekitar. Peningkatan aksesibiliti boleh menyebabkan lebih banyak ekstraksi sumber dengan kesan ekologi tidak jelas, mengancam biodiversiti dan ekosistem tempatan jangka panjang.

Kesan Sosial Perubahan Iklim
Negara membangun sangat terdedah, seperti 262 juta orang yang terjejas oleh bencana iklim pada 2004. Peristiwa ini memberi kesan tidak seimbang kepada mereka yang kurang sumber untuk menyesuaikan diri atau pulih.

Kenaikan Paras Laut: Pencairan ais dan pengembangan termal laut mengurangkan ketersediaan tanah dan sumber, berpotensi menyebabkan migrasi penduduk, ketegangan sosiopolitik, serta cabaran dalam perancangan bandar dan infrastruktur.

Trend Pertumbuhan Penduduk
Data Terkini: Pada 2018, populasi global mencecah 7.8 bilion, dijangka meningkat kepada 9.7 bilion menjelang 2050, menimbulkan kebimbangan tentang ketersediaan sumber, kelestarian alam sekitar, dan kestabilan sosial.

Taburan Wilayah: Kawasan membangun, terutamanya di Asia dan Afrika, mengalami pertumbuhan penduduk pesat, mencabar penyediaan sumber, pendidikan, dan penjagaan kesihatan yang mencukupi.

Bandar dan Perubahan Iklim
Kawasan bandar, walaupun meliputi hanya 2% permukaan Bumi, menggunakan 60-80% sumber tenaga. Urbanisasi pantas memerlukan pengembangan dan pengemaskinian infrastruktur untuk menyokong pertumbuhan ekonomi dan memenuhi keperluan penduduk secara lestari.

Jejak Karbon
Jejak karbon mewakili jumlah gas rumah hijau yang dikeluarkan secara langsung atau tidak langsung oleh individu dan organisasi. Penggunaan kalkulator karbon peribadi boleh membantu menganggarkan dan mengurus jejak karbon, menggalakkan tingkah laku yang mengurangkan kesan alam sekitar dan menyokong kelestarian.