Mammag, Carmel Erika L.

GEO160-2 November 13, 2018

Environmental Geology Prof. Raymundo Villones

Climate Change: Humans or Nature?

A Reaction Paper

Figure 1 taken from "Global Warming vs Major Volcanic Events/ low Solar Radiation" (March 24, 2017)

LIVESCIENCE writer Saplakoglu published an article showing a red- orange colored

global map that indicates the extreme rise in temperature worldwide. “Earth is boiling …,” he said
as he reported the dangerous high temperatures recorded that week that apparently caused loss
of lives and properties around the globe- from heatstroke cases in Japan, wildfires in Sweden and
Greece, and warming nights in Algeria. This rise of temperatures into the extreme is one of the
many effects of climate change that the writer described as human-induced. Yes, it is true that for
decades climate change and its’ threatening effects has been known, and for generations it has
been said to be caused by our negligence and undisciplined acts as humans. Another
LIVESCIENCE contributor, Pappas, mentioned evidences claiming that we humans are to be
blamed. Our excessive CO2 emission is said to be the number one cause of the sudden and fast-
speed increase in global temperature. We, humans – the very inhabitants of Earth now and in the
future- cause the destruction of our only home. This has been repeatedly told to us by science
again and again; but for the scientists we are, our curious minds lead us to question: Are we
humans the real and only cause of climate change?
Climate change is natural. Two scientists Harris and Mann argues that climate change
has actually been going on since the beginning of time (see Figure 1). The warming and cooling
Mammag, Carmel Erika L. GEO160-2 November 13, 2018
Environmental Geology Prof. Raymundo Villones

of the Earth maybe due to increased underwater volcanic activity or minimal solar activity and
numerous volcanic eruptions. We are in what they call a warmer cycle that could produce hotter
and drier weather patterns probably peaking around 2038, assuming there isn’t a major volcanic
eruption to disrupt the cycle. The scientist warned us, however, that us Earth’s history tells us:
the coldest periods have usually followed excessive warmth. They added that they still believe in
going green and that mankind’s activities are likely creating more harmful pollution.
As a geology student who has a background in historical geology, I know that scientists
Mann and Harris are right about saying that climate change is natural and has been going on
since the formation of Earth. I have learned of the glacial ice ages throughout history and have
also learned how these coincide with massive extinctions. While I believe that humans are not
the only cause of the warming temperatures, I also still blame humans for our carelessness. As
mentioned in all articles, our neglect of the long-term consequences of our actions like our burning
of fossil fuels and massive deforestations, has made a large contribution on the warming of our
planet and has pushed our weather patterns to the extreme. If we continue to ignore our scientists’
warning, we might not escape the next extinction in the history of the Earth waiting to happen.
Luckily, governments and large corporations around the globe listened and acted. While there are
still some hard-headed people in power, we, the average people in the society, should not waver.
Let us continue to go green and save our home. Let us actively participate even in simple
barangay ordinances like segregation of trash or 3Rs. Our own little contributions, when put
together will have surely have a large impact. Help counteract and lessen the effects of the already
natural climate change.
Mammag, Carmel Erika L. GEO160-2 November 13, 2018
Environmental Geology Prof. Raymundo Villones

Geohazards in Agriculture and Forestry:

Soil Pollution

Figure 2 Soil Contamination Risk in China

The rising population in the world would need increased production of food. However, the
decrease in farm lands (because they are converted into urban areas) and the intensification of
soil degradation (which affects quality of soil and of course the agricultural products), do not make
it easy for the agricultural industry to meet these growing needs. Yes, soil pollution is not only
seen on mining and urban areas. In fact, it is seen and actually is caused by agricultural activities
together with groundwater pollution and, you may not believe it, emissions of greenhouse gases.
In a report by Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (2018), the misuse of
agrochemicals, such as excessive fertilization and uncontrolled pesticide application, were
identified as the main sources of pollution in agricultural fields posing threat to ecology. In addition
to this, effects of agricultural practices have led to various soil degradation processes: decrease
in soil porosity – which affects input of nutrients and elimination of toxic substances for plants, soil
Mammag, Carmel Erika L. GEO160-2 November 13, 2018
Environmental Geology Prof. Raymundo Villones

erosion, physical and chemical degradation (acidification, salinization, alkalization, etc.) This is a
growing concern for the people in the food industry since it becomes a threat to food security and
human and animal health as well.
In the recent years, the Chinese government published a national soil survey which
showed that 16.1% of all soil and 19.4% of farmland was contaminated by organic and inorganic
chemical pollutants and by metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic (see Figure 1). That
amounts to roughly 250,000 square kilometres of contaminated soil, equivalent to the arable
farmland of Mexico. Cadmium and arsenic were found in 40% of the affected land. Just look at
this: Hunan province is the country’s largest producer of rice—and of cadmium. Officials say that
35,000 square kilometres of farmland is so polluted that no agriculture should be allowed on it at
all. Take note that China is trying to feed a fifth of the world’s population on a tenth of the world’s
arable land which may or may not be actually poisoned.
Here's how they say it came about: China’s chemical and fertiliser industries were poorly
regulated for decades and the soil still stores the waste and leaks that was dumped on it for so
many years. Wastewater and industrial effluent are said to be used in increasing amounts for
irrigation because there is not enough fresh water to go round. In 2006 a Chinese environmental
NGO took urine samples from 500 residents of Zhuzhou, an area of Hunan province with several
such villages; 30% of those tested showed elevated levels of cadmium and 10% needed specialist
treatment. They suggested that there may be a link between soil pollution and China’s “cancer
villages”. That itself is a red flag! China cannot afford to contaminate what is left. The national
government is obsessed with feeding China’s 1.3bn people and anything that reduces grain yields
is a matter of concern.
The national government passed laws to regulate the use of contaminants since then and
has put efforts in reducing soil contamination. However, to massively eradicate the risk of
poisoned crops from polluted soils, China needs a very large sum of money which they don’t
have. Instead, the country has piecemeal projects, testing experiments targeted on reducing toxic
elements in the soil like growing willow trees, which absorb cadmium, and poplars, which do the
same for lead, to clean up its fields and more.
Remediation of polluted soils is essential. Research continues to develop novel, science-
based remediation methods. The FAO last May 2018 held “Be the Solution to Soil Pollution”, a
symposium which discussed the global status of soil pollution, remediation of polluted sites, and
has recommended steps for soil remediation for national governments. According to them,
numerous attempts are being made to decontaminate polluted soils, including an array of both in
situ (on-site, in the soil) and off-site (removal of contaminated soil for treatment) techniques.
Biological methods such as enhanced microbial degradation or phytoremediation, as
demonstrated by the high number of scientific papers, is also being looked at.
The bottom line is soils are one of the most valuable ecosystem in the world. Even if it has
only recently became exposed, even if it still has a minimal research database, even if the
available effective remediation techniques today are still expensive, as long as it is recognized
and continuous efforts are made, the agricultural industry will be saved.