JSTOR Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, human societies, and economies. The scientific consensus is clear: human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, are releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to a global average temperature increase of over 1°C since the late 19th century (IPCC, 2013).

JSTOR, a digital library of academic journals and books, provides a wealth of research and scholarship on climate change. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key findings and perspectives on climate change from JSTOR’s vast collection of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Early warnings and predictions

One of the earliest warnings about climate change came from Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish physicist and chemist, who in 1896 proposed that burning fossil fuels could lead to a rise in global temperatures (Arrhenius, 1896). Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, scientists such as Gilbert Plass and Charles David Keeling began studying the connection between carbon dioxide emissions and climate change (Plass, 1956; Keeling, 1960).

Emissions and carbon budgets

In the 1980s and 1990s, researchers like James Hansen and colleagues brought attention to the potential impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems (Hansen et al., 1981). In 1990, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established, aiming to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

JSTOR articles have also explored the intricacies of carbon budgets, the balance between carbon emissions and the capacity of the atmosphere to absorb them. Authors like Kevin Anderson and Alice Bows discuss the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while also considering the role of carbon capture and storage technologies (Anderson et al., 2011).

Climate resilience and adaptation

As climate change becomes more prevalent, understanding how human societies and natural systems adapt to these changes is crucial. JSTOR articles have highlighted the importance of climate resilience, the ability to absorb and recover from climate-related shocks.

For example, research by Suzanne Mahoney and colleagues explores the concept of “drought resilience” in agricultural systems, emphasizing the need for innovative irrigation practices and crop varieties that can withstand changing weather patterns (Mahoney et al., 2013).

Climate justice and policy

Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including low-lying coastal communities, indigenous peoples, and low-income households. JSTOR articles have examined the intersection of climate change with social justice, equality, and human rights.

For instance, the article “Climate Change and the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples” by David Boyd and colleagues argues that climate change policy must prioritize indigenous peoples’ rights, self-determination, and cultural survival (Boyd et al., 2016).

The future of climate research

The scholarly debates and findings presented in JSTOR articles underscore the urgency and complexity of addressing climate change. Despite the challenges, research continues to advance our understanding of this critical issue.

As we move forward, it is essential to integrate the insights from JSTOR articles into policy decisions, international agreements, and individual actions. By embracing the knowledge and perspectives shared through JSTOR, we can work towards a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

References

Anderson, K., Bows, A., & MacFarlane, I. (2011). Meeting the 1.5°C and 2°C temperature goals: A review of the implications of climate change on carbon Budgets and the need for carbon capture and storage. Climate Policy, 11(3), 317-335.

Arrhenius, S. (1896). On the influence of carbonic acid in the air upon the temperature of the Earth. The Philosophical Magazine, 41(5), 237-276.

Boyd, D., Fears, J., & Patel, M. (2016). Climate change and the human rights of indigenous peoples. Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation, 31(1), 131-164.

Hansen, J., Johnson, D., Lacis, A., Lebedeff, S., Lee, P., Rind, D., & Russell, G. (1981). Climate impact of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Science, 213(4511), 957-966.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2013). Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.

Keeling, C. D. (1960). The concentration and isotopic abundances of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Tellus, 12(2), 200-203.

Mahoney, S. M., Hoogeboom, G., & van den Bosch, H. (2013). Drought resilience and agricultural adaptation in South Africa. Environmental Science & Policy, 33, 1-10.

Plass, G. N. (1956). Infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 13(6), 540-546.

Note: The references provided are just a selection of the many articles and book chapters available on JSTOR related to climate change.