I am currently majoring in physics which is one of the biggest parts of scientific research and study. Physics plays a significant role in climate change research. The relation between climate change and physics can be described through earth sciences, geography, the occasional and general physics that considers the weather and atmosphere of the earth in their studies. In the research of climate change, many essential climate models and studies are combined with the model of physics, including numerical models and scientific applications. Basically, most of the climate models show interactions between many climate components, such as, land, ocean, atmosphere, ice, wind, temperature, and others which indicate the average and rate of fluctuation on an hourly, daily, seasonal and yearly basis.
These climate models use various aspects of physics and mathematics to predict the weather, atmosphere, and causes and effects of climate change for both short and long periods of time. To add more solar radiation and re-distribution of energy can further explain the weather and climate. The greenhouse gases are the common parameter to measure the earth’s temperature which uses physical processes to measure. Mitigation is one of the ways to reduce the magnitude of climate change through reduction in energy demand, using efficient energy production and most importantly use of energy that cause less or no greenhouse gas emissions. The use of Carbon-free energy sources, such as, renewable energy, geothermal energy, and nuclear energy should be increased. Furthermore, climate change has become a concern not only for the world or nations but also became a threat for the personal life.
As an individual on the earth, climate change also has affected me in both my work and career life. Since I lived in my home country for a longer period of time, then came here to continue my studies, the effect of weather or climate change is always visible to me. In my capital, Bangladesh, which is a warmer environment to live in, many times I suffered from various health issues like dehydration, the flu, and diarrhea, and it hampered my usual life and study life. After migration, it was not easy to adjust in new place where the weather was very different from my home country. The USA used to have much colder weather, though that has changed due to a rise in temperature, and there are many other effects of climate change such as sea-level rise, cyclone and storm emerges, makes it difficult to maintain our work life. However, the effects of the mixture of cold and warm weather creates more humid weather, which not only harms us physically through many diseases but also hampers our mental health by making us anxious and depressed while working.
Though I know that Bangladesh is listed as one of the most vulnerable countries due to the adverse effects of climate change, still it is not easy to predict the future climate of Bangladesh. As a developing nation, Bangladesh is growing up through industrial sector which is the main source of the greenhouse gases like carbon-dioxide or methane. Therefore, the concern for heat waves becomes more alarming as there is less chance of reduction of greenhouse gases. Also, the increasing level of industry, more people crowding the city for work, the lack of concern of authority and lack of infrastructure may lead to drastic heat waves, heavy rainfall, frequent cyclones, floods and other disasters in future. If there are no necessary steps taken to reduce the adverse effects of climate change, in 10 or 30 years, the urban areas will face the humid weather making dwellers life worse, while villages will face frequent floods, droughts, cyclones and coastal areas might see the worst as many of their land can disappear under water.
According to the United Nation Climate change, “As there is a direct relation between global average temperatures and the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the key for the solution to the climate change problem rests in decreasing the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere and in reducing the current concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) by enhancing sinks (e.g. increasing the area of forests)”. Efforts to reduce emissions and enhance sinks are referred to as “mitigation”. Bangladesh uses most of its technologies such as solar power, wind power, hydro power and biogas for mitigation. The most used innovative technology is solar power as renewable energy to the emission of carbon from environment. Also, the government of Bangladesh is trying to introduce and cover the remote areas and many industrial areas under solar system. “The Rural Electrification Board (REB), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) are jointly working on the scaling up process of solar PV systems along with the necessary process upgrading and necessary modification. PV is being used to meet the electricity needs of remote areas” (Khan, M. A., Shamsuddoha, M., Helal, A. A., & Hassan, A. June 3, 2013).
To conclude, as a student, I also can contribute to the reduction of the effects of climate change. I think using products that provides less or no carbon with efficient production can be my first step. I can work in many environmental organizations to promote awareness among mass people about the adverse effects of climate change that the world will face in future. Also, we can create student clubs and forums to organize different activities like camping, seminar, procession, cleaning projects etc. regarding important environmental issues to generate more public attention. Finally, I believe our little contribution can make a bigger effort as a whole, so, planting trees in my surroundings can be my little contribution that I must achieve for the world where I live.
