Analysis: Human Influence on Coastal Systems and Climate Change Risk

This report examines the multifaceted impacts of human activities on coastal systems and their contribution to climate change. It delves into the positive and negative effects of human actions, such as industrial development, settlement, and infrastructural changes, on marine ecosystems and climatic conditions. The report explores critical factors like ocean circulation, drainage systems, dredging, and their effects on marine life and water quality. It also discusses the implications of global warming, ice loss, and feedback mechanisms, including the role of clouds and aerosols. The report highlights the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on global rainfall patterns and the contrasting behaviors of ice and ocean surfaces in relation to light and heat absorption. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of addressing the dangers faced by marine life and coastal ecosystems to ensure future prosperity, underscoring the need for effective measures to mitigate these risks.

HUMAN INFLUENCE ON COASTAL SYSTEMS AND ITS ASSOCIATED CLIMATE
CHANGE RISK
ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the effects of human activities on coastal systems. It also gives information on
the influence of human activities on climate change. The article will consist of three sections,
namely, introduction, main part, and conclusion.
Introduction
Human activities in the coastal zones have positive and negative effects on coastal ecosystems and
climate change (Cloern, et al., 2016). As much as these activities are development-driven, the health
of the seas and oceans should be taken into consideration. Marine lives, as well as climatic
conditions, have been risked to a great extent by some human activities such as the development of
industries, settlement, infrastructural development, tourism, mining, and drainage systems
(Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A, 2015).
Ocean circulation
During the melting of ice in the Arctic sea as well as the Greenland ice sheet, the Gulf Stream may
be diverted in the Atlantic by ocean circulation. As a result, the weather pattern in the region would
significantly be altered. Changes in the Gulf Stream causes pronounced cooling in the west of
Europe; this sheds more light on the significance of ocean circulation in controlling regional climate
(Pedlosky, 2013).
Drainage systems and dredging
Human activities along the coastal lines have caused a great impact on the flow of water to the seas
and oceans. Since human settlements have occupied even the estuaries, habitats in some areas have
been destroyed and, in some cases, disturbed. The freshwater flowing to the ocean has been altered
such that, to some extent, the water gain discharges, which may, in turn, have detrimental effects on
the marine lives. Dredging is another human activity that has greatly affected the marine
environment by bringing disturbances and contaminants (Livingston, Robert J, 2014). These
disturbances have affected the habitats of benthic organisms. Pollutants have increased in the
seabed and some floats on the water, reducing the quality of water, thus risking marine lives
(Vanbergen, Adam J, 2013). Global warming will be expected to increase after sometimes affecting
climate change.
Ice loss
Due to the significant effects of ice-albedo, if a sufficient amount of ice melts, the earth's surface
will absorb more and more heat, and we might reach a point of no return. As the ice sheets shrink,
the result is the rise in the sea level (Velicogna, Isabella, & John Wahr, 2006). Currently, millions
of persons live near the coastal areas, therefore plans to predict the sea level rise for the coming
days are essential.
Feedbacks

Clouds might sound or seem not a big deal but have significant impacts on the earth's climate.
Clouds reflect about one-third of the sunlight back to space. A minute altering in a cloud location,
amount and change has a pronounced consequence. Warm climate leads to the holding of more
water in the atmosphere hence increase cloudiness; this alters the amount of sunlight that will reach
the earth's surface. Small amounts of heat will be absorbed, and this reduces the increased warming
(Klein, Stephen, & Alex Hall, 2015). Clouds to be formed, tiny particles known as aerosols (dust,
soot, or sea salt) are needed in the atmosphere. Human beings and activities plan an essential role in
determining the amount of aerosols released into the atmosphere.
Models that have been generated globally to predict climatic conditions indicate that precipitation
will significantly increase soon due to the increased level of water that is held in the warmer
atmosphere. This is not so for all the regions, as some will dry out instead. An increase in the
availability of water, which is a result of changes in precipitation patterns, may lead to more plant
growth (Trenberth & Kevin, 2011). Increased growth of plants is very important in cleaning the
atmosphere through the removal of excess carbon dioxides (Kriegler et al., 2013). Emission of
greenhouse gases derived from human activities has greatly impacted global rainfall and patterns.
Ice and ocean surface is in contrast in that they are white and dark in colour. White colour reflects
light while dark absorbs more heat. On a sunny day, the atmosphere warms, and the sea ice melts
while, on the other hand, the dark ocean surface absorbs heat and triggers melting of ice; this
generally warm the earth and increase the water levels on the earth surface (Assmy et al., 2013).
Global warming can be defined as the long-term increase level of temperature on Earth. Human
activities such as excess release of greenhouse gases are responsible for the global warming effects
currently experienced.
Conclusion
As much as we understand the importance of marine life in the coastal ecosystems and climatic
change, measures should be put in place to ensure that the danger they are exposed to is overcome
for future prosperity.

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