Data Visualization

Blog of the Data Visualization & Communication Course at OSB-AUB

This is my favorite part about analytics: Taking boring flat data and bringing it to life through visualization” John Tukey

Spotlight on Climate Change

by | Jul 19, 2023 | Dashboard | 0 comments

Problem:
Climate change is a pressing global problem with alarming evidence. Rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events are just a few examples of its impacts.” The primary environmental problem associated with CO2 emissions is their contribution to climate change and global warming.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that plays a crucial role in maintaining habitable temperatures on Earth through the greenhouse effect. However, excessive levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have disrupted this balance, resulting in a range of environmental issues. These include global warming, climate change, ocean acidification, ecosystem disruptions, and impacts on human health.

Problem Evidence:
As we can see in this map, climate change has been linked to an increase in mortality rates across the globe. Rising temperatures and heatwaves pose a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Urban populations are profoundly affected by the impacts of climate change. As cities continue to grow, they face unique challenges related to rising temperatures, increased air pollution, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. Heat islands, where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, can amplify the health risks for urban residents

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, are releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. As seen through this pie, China and the United States are among the biggest countries with CO2 emissions for the year 2021.

In regard to the highest countries that emits CO2 per capita, we can see through this visualization that Qatar is at the peak due its unique combinations of factors. The extraction, production, and export of natural gas involve energy-intensive processes that result in significant CO2 emissions. Additionally, Qatar’s hot climate with its small population necessitates high energy consumption for cooling and desalination purposes with higher per capita emission figure.

One of the most dangerous threats for the climate change is the PM2.5. Given that it is more harmful to human health in the short-term, it is measured in units of micrograms per cubic meter of air. PM2.5 is harmful in the short-term, leading to adverse consequences in vulnerable groups such as children and older adults. The above bars display mean annual exposure levels to PM2.5 across the world in 2017. Exposure is more severe in South Asia and some parts of Africa, especially the Middle East.

Depletion of natural resources refers to their excessive extraction, usage, and destruction. The depletion of natural resources becomes a major issue when human activities intensify and resource demand rises. At alarming rates, forests are being removed, which causes habitat loss, a decline in biodiversity, and soil erosion. Adopting sustainable behaviors, fostering resource efficiency, putting conservation measures in place, and switching to renewable energy sources are all necessary to address the depletion of natural resources. In order to protect the environment for future generations, it is essential to ensure the equitable and responsible management of resources.

The use of electricity is another problem we have with our mother earth. This image allows us to examine the expansion that took place over a 20-year period. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are released throughout the energy generation process, especially when it uses fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These emissions have an impact on climate change and global warming. Furthermore, the effects of such a crucial component of our everyday lives include waste production, habitat loss, air pollution, water consumption, and habitat loss.

Potential Solution:
On the plus side, increasing the production of power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro can lessen the environmental harm and greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil fuel-based generating.

Solution Details:
We must cut back on CO2 emissions in order to address the serious climate problem. While many nations have made attempts to minimize them, it is crucial to address the problem thoroughly and keep working toward long-term solutions in order to lessen the effects of climate change and safeguard our ecosystem. Using electric vehicles and switching to clean, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power can greatly cut CO2 emissions. As seen through this chart, some countries started to cut off CO2 emissions whereas others need more time.

Recommendations :
To address climate change effectively, we need international cooperation, continued research and development of renewable energy technologies, and sustainable transportation systems. Every individual can contribute by making environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives. “Together, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and create a sustainable future for generations to come. Let’s act now and make a difference.”

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