The White Paper on Global Warming: Fact or Fiction - Assignment Example

 The White Paper on Global Warming: Fact or Fiction STEP NUMBER ONE Outline Introduction I. Global Warming A. The Concept of Global Warming B. Causes of Global Warming C. Impacts D. Proposed Solutions II. The Debate A. Assertions by Supporters B. Assertions by Opponents C. Personal Position Conclusion STEP NUMBER TWO Abstract The concepts of global warming, including the definition, causes and impacts, are discussed in relation to the role human beings play in its occurrence. The controversy surrounding the issue is perfectly captured through detailing the views of two opposing sides on the contribution of humans in global warming. A personal position on the topic is arrived at, indicating that the pro-anthropogenic global warming side emerges as convincing. Thus, the paper calls for multi-approach efforts to find and implement solutions to the issue, concluding that global warming is more factual than fictional. Introduction Global warming is one of the forefront issues facing humanity in the contemporary world as evidenced by widespread debates and global conferences on the issue. An objective understanding of the concept of global warming, its causes and impacts, is necessary in order to engage in constructive debate. Hence, this paper explains global warming, its causation, and current and projected impacts before stating the proposed solutions. Both sides of the global warming debate are then discussed, leading to a personal position on the matter and an appropriate conclusion. I. Global Warming A. The Concept of Global Warming The widely accepted definition for global warming is that it is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s near-surface air and oceans observed since the mid-20th century and projected to continue (UNEP, 2003). However, the issue of concern is the contribution of human activity towards the occurrence of global warming. Hence, the concept of anthropogenic global warming arises; a technical term describing the human contribution to the observed rise in global mean temperatures. B. Causes of Global Warming A discussion of the cause of global warming calls for a look into the concept of the greenhouse effect. Here, a number of gases known as the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide allow shortwave radiation from the sun to get into the atmosphere but trap the long wave reflections from the earth’s surface. An increase in the levels of such greenhouse gases would translate to trapping of heat in the earth’s atmosphere leading to a mean increase in the earth’s temperature (Gray, 2001). Disruption of the earth’s ozone layer has also been attributed to contributing to global warming. The important question of anthropogenic contribution to causation of global warming lies in the manmade emission of greenhouse gases or human disruption of the natural uptake of these gases. Thus, fossil fuel burning and industrial activities alongside deforestation contribute to global warming (Brettevile, 2002). Human contribution to the problem, however, remains a widely controversial, debated, and disputed topic as discussed later in this paper. C. Impacts The impacts associated with global warming give insight into why the matter has received much interest from various sections in the society. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) details the impacts of continued global warming on human existence on the planet (UNEP, 2003). It will disrupt the earth systems that human life depends on, including the hydrological cycle and ocean circulation and the carbon and other nutrient cycles. Global warming would also add to ecosystem destruction, desertification, decline in water quality, depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, pollution, and deforestation. Overall, Organisms would be deprived of food and water and subjected to uninhabitable environments. These effects on the environment, including the melting of polar ice and deforestation have already seen certain organisms facing extinction, including polar bears, walruses, and seals. D. Proposed Solutions Nordhaus (2007) perfectly captures the challenge of dealing with global warming, observing that the daunting scientific and economic uncertainties and projected costs are a significant mix of problems. Besides, the issue cuts across various disciplines, professions, and points of view, which further complicate the establishment of solutions. The suggested approaches to tackle global warming base on the anthropogenic causation premise, and hence geared towards encouraging climate change. Hence, agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol champion the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through cutting fossil fuel use and encouraging sustainable production techniques alongside encouraging afforestation and carbon credit trading (Nordhaus, 2007). II. The Debate The global warming controversy largely centers on the role of human beings in causation and, subsequently, their role in intervening. As a result, there are two sides offering counterpoints to each other based on supporters of anthropogenic global warming and skeptics on the issue. A. Assertions by Supporters Supporters of anthropogenic causation of global warming point out that the most drastic rise in global temperatures have occurred within the last few centuries, coinciding with industrial revolutions and massive fossil fuel use. This indicates that human emission of carbon dioxide is responsible for the observed rises in temperature. Furthermore, spikes in temperature are high in areas around human settlement and nearly non-existent in areas uninhabited by humans. Urbanization and changes in land use have been documented as contributing to global warming (Khandekar, Murty & Chittibabu, 2005). B. Assertions by Opponents Opponents point out that the measurements used to relate global warming to human activity are prone to high levels of uncertainty and cannot be used conclusively. They further argue that using consensus rather than scientific evidence would mislead actions. Besides, humans contribute very little carbon dioxide compared to natural processes. The opponents also point out that the pro side is ignoring the research that shows that solar variability, irradiance and brightness significantly contributes to global warming (Khandekar, Murty and Chittibabu, 2005). In such a situation, the emphasis on humans as causing global warming is starkly misguided. C. Personal Position Reflection on the issues raised on both sides of the debate indicates that both have legitimate concerns about a serious problem. However, there is an overwhelming proof that anthropogenic carbon dioxide production is significant enough to cause global warming. As Cook (2010) states, such evidence is obtained from multiple independent lines of climate research (surface-air, oceanic and satellite measurements) alongside peer-reviewed research. Besides, humans have a role to solve problems that have serious consequences on the planet. Political, economic, social, and environmental efforts should be geared towards addressing the problem. Conclusion This paper stresses the importance of the issue of global warming, providing multi-perspectives of analyzing the issue. It is clear that the average temperature of the earth is on the rise, and the consequences of this situation can be discerned. Whereas the opponents of anthropogenic global warming raise important questions, there is sufficient evidence to show that humans do contribute to global warming; thus, efforts have to be made to solve the problem based on human role in its causation. The conclusion is that global warming is a fact rather than a work of fiction. References Bretteville, C. (2002). Decision criteria, scientific uncertainty and the global warming controversy. Second World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists. Retrieved 22 March, 2012 from http://www.cicero.uio.no/media/1808.pdf Cook, J. (2010). The scientific guide to global warming skepticism. Creative Commons- Skeptical Science, USA. Gray, V. (2001). The cause of global warming. Policy Series No. 7. Frontier Center. Retrieved 22 March, 2012 from http://www.fcpp.org/pdf/The_Cause_of_Global_Warming_Policy_Series_7.pdf Khandekar, M.L., Murty, T.S. & Chittibabu, P. (2005). The global warming debate: A review of the state of science. Pure Applied Geophysics, 162, 1557–1586. Nordhaus, W. (2007). The challenge of global warming: Economic models and environmental policy. YUP, USA. UNEP (2003). How will global warming affect my world? IPCC. Retrieved 22 March, 2012 from http://www.unep.org/dec/docs/ipcc_wgii_guide-E.pdf Read More