Climate change is a topic that is widely talked about because its effects can be felt by everyone. Natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons are attributed as some of its known effects that already destroyed properties and taken the lives of people.
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia killed hundreds of people and damaged properties. According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) New York, with additional data from OCHA Indonesia, 809 deaths were already confirmed by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
The earthquake that happened in West Sumatra in September 30, 2009 also caused severe damage to over 133, 739 houses.
In the Philippines, the National Disaster Coordinating Council stated that typhoon Parma and Ketsana killed over 600 people. Aside from the fatalities that resulted from drowning in the water, many people were also killed due to landslide.
Landslide is a disaster involving the breakup and the downward flow of mud, rocks, water, and anything that is caught in its course.
The total number of people who were affected by both typhoons already reached 6.8 million. Typhoon Ketsana hit the country late in September while Parma was felt early in October 2009.
Who is to blame for these natural disasters?
Climate change may be caused by natural forces and human actions. Some of the natural forces that may be responsible for it include ocean currents, volcanoes, continental drift, and meteorites or comets.
On the other hand, human actions may increase the quantity of greenhouse gases. These gases are responsible for letting the rays of the sun enter the earth. However, it also prevents much of the heat from leaving.
If more greenhouse gases were released into the in the planet’s atmosphere, it can cause the greenhouse effect to become stronger. The earth’s climate may unnaturally change if more heat is trapped in the planet.
Two examples of human activities that can cause this to happen are cutting of trees and burning of fossil fuels.
It is up to the people if they want to prevent the different effects of climate change from happening. Simple actions can save millions of lives and properties.
