Addressing Effects of Climate change Using Biotechnology
Cool it, earth!
What?
Climate Change
noun
"a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature" B.4
Climate change has been an issue since the industrial revolution. It has mostly occurred as a result of human impact. Climate change can cause ice caps to melt, species to die, land to be covered by water, and natural weather patterns to change. B.5
Scientists are unsure when they will have solved our climate problem.
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They feel pressured to find and implement a solution soon, because the global climate is expected to increase by 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. B.7
To add some perspective, Earth's climate only increased 4-7 degrees Celsius after the Ice Age. B.8
When?
Why?
Causes of Climate Change due to human impact:​
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depletion of resources
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deforestation
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destruction of marine ecosystems
If climate change persists, it can lead to many drastic, global changes:
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continued rising temperatures
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rain patterns change
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droughts and heat waves
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more intense hurricanes
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sea level increases 1-4 feet
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Arctic will melt
Carbon Dioxide Molecule B.13
How?
Biotechnology has the ability to use common biological processes to improve and reduce human impact on the environment. ​
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Companies are using biotechnology to create solutions to the issues climate change presents. Some colleges and companies are aiming to rebuild damaged ecosystems, create alternatives to traditional plastics, and bred seed varieties to grow without the use of pesticides or less water.
"This month, bags of sliced apples will hit grocery-store shelves in the midwestern United States for the first time. Shoppers who purchase the apples can leave the slices out for snacking, because of a feat of genetic engineering that prevents their flesh from browning when exposed to air..."
"Eyes are said to be the window to the soul—but researchers at Google see them as indicators of a person’s health. The technology giant is using deep learning to predict a person’s blood pressure, age and smoking status by analysing a photograph of their retina..."
"A freshly baked roll is as delightful as a soft, fluffy cloud on a summer's day. What gives bread much of its appealing texture is gluten, a group of proteins found in wheat, rye and barley. But in people with a serious autoimmune disorder called celiac disease, gluten damages the small intestine..."