What is the importance of climate as a direct and indirect influence on the environment and people?

By direct influence of climate, we mean… The immediate effects of a specific event e.g. devastation after a hurricane, death from a flood or an extremely cold winter. In terms of the environment, this could mean forest fires, coral bleaching or drought By indirect influence, we mean… The longer term effects of climate change e.g. a colder climate for the UK, changing tourism industry or the spread of malaria In terms of the environment, this could mean the dispersal northwards of flora, the extinction of species who cannot adapt in time for temperature rise or an increased number of mosquitoes.

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There are a great deal of theories, hypotheses, models and schools of thought with regard to humans, their climate and the environment. For the purpose of this course, we are going to concentrate on three. In order to understand the purpose of a theory it is important to consider the following: 1.That theories are ideas which are based partially on fact that has been tried and tested. They are often well substantiated explanations but not all stand the test of time!! 2.The time period that the idea was birthed in may reflect the social viewpoints of the day and no longer be applicable 3.Theories therefore, exist to be critiqued and adapted…

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM This is now a view or school of thought rather than a theory, although at the time it was commonly accepted by academics and as such was accepted as a valid theory in the early 20 th Century. "There is a direct connection between rich soils, generous rainfall, favourable temperature, and a cultured people." The basic argument was that aspects of physical geography (in particular climate), determined the psychological characteristics of people which created a common culture and society. Today you may hear people say ‘African people are not self- starters’ or ‘ Europeans have the best intellect because of their climate’. Later these views were criticised as they bred racism

The GAIA Hypothesis This theory was created by a now reputable scientist, James Lovelock. At the time in the 1960s, when his theory was first published, it was ignored. Today as climate change has become central to policy change and decision making, it has more credibility. His theory was based on the following notions: The global surface temperature of the Earth has remained constant, despite an increase in the energy provided by the sun. Atmospheric composition remains constant, even though it should be unstable. Ocean salinity is constant. He therefore theorised that the Earth’s biosphere (part of Earth and its atmosphere that can support life) was a self-regulating organism in itself, able to achieve its own HOMEOSTASIS. For example, when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, plants are able to grow better and thus remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The technological ‘fix’ It is now widely accepted and proven that climate change is a reality. Generally scientists fall into two categories with regard to this fact; climate change in man-made (anthropogenic) and climate change is a natural cycle, we are currently in an interglacial and a warming climate is expected. Despite this, governments work internationally to collect and share data (Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC) and in order to safe-guard our economies and societies, change is necessary. ‘Fixing’ climate change seems to be the concern of the moment, by renewable energies, cleaner transport, solar powered vehicles, burying CO2 deep in the ocean, reflecting radiation etc… This all relies on the assumption that humans can control the weather!