Prerequisites and Consequences of Global Warming - Article Example

Global Warming Many natural phenomena that used to be moderate in terms of frequency and severity are taking a new twist. Wild fires are becoming more common, heat waves are rising dangerously, droughts are becoming more severe, sea levels are rising, and storms are becoming more frequent and severe. Environmentalists are quick to warn that the reason many of the natural phenomena are getting more severe and frequent is global warming. Apart from the adverse effects that global warming has on the environment, experts note that the phenomenon is associated with negative effects on human health, the built environment, and food production (Union of Concerned Scientist par 1-3). While many experts decry the negative effects of global warming, it is in fact turning out that global warming is a good phenomenon going by its numerous positive benefits. Scientists note that the earth’s temperature is rising undoubtedly as a result of the greenhouse effect. The atmosphere is saturated with carbon dioxide that traps heat leading to a steady increase in the earth’s temperature and consequently, changes in climate. This carbon dioxide does not come from outer space but from burnt fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. The other factor contributing to global warming and climate change is the rate at which forests are lost, especially within the tropics as a result of deforestation. Scientists are overwhelmingly in agreement that global warming is a reality and that human activities are its main causes. (Union of Concerned Scientist par 6-7). According to scientists, each year, for the past 37 years, has been warmer than the average temperature of all the years in the 20th century. In the United States, the 12 warmest years have occurred since 1998 with 2012 standing out as the hottest years. Since the late 1800s there has been an increase of more than one degree Fahrenheit on the average surface temperature of the earth. The past three decades have experienced the lion’s share of this increase (Union of Concerned Scientist par 4-6). Consequences of global warming The current decade has been the warmest since 1880. Scientists note that the earth could experience a 7.2 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature in the 21 century if nothing is done to curb global warming. This would be the case if emissions from fossil fuels such as oil and coal, which are the main culprits, not reduced. Scientists are worried that a number of negative consequences in relation to global warming are quite evident (Natural Resource Defence Council par1). For one, weather patterns have began to change, and their effects have been felt severely. The hot and dry weather patterns are responsible for the record breaking wildfires of 2006 with nearly 100 thousand fires in recorded and close to 10 million acres going down in flames, an increase of 125 percent above the previous decade’s average (Natural Resource Defence Council par 2-3). In recent times there has been an increase in severe heat waves that are responsible for deaths. In 2003, such heat waves have lead to the deaths of nearly 70 thousand people in Europe alone. Nearly 15 thousand people lost their lives in France alone as the temperatures escalated to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (Natural Resource Defence Council par 2-3). Some parts of North America experienced bad heat waves in July 2006 that led to the deaths of about 140 individuals. Global warming has led to an increase in smog that leads to bad health conditions such as asthma and allergies according to the Natural Resource Defence Council (par. 2-3). Wildlife has also been affected by bad weather conditions. It has been reported that animals such as polar bears have drowned as a result of long distance swimming in search of ice floes. Scientists estimate that the polar bear will be extinct by 2050 if global warming is not dealt with (Natural Resource Defence Council par 4). Glaciers have also not been left behind with respect to the negative effects of global warming. It is estimated that at their current rate of recession glaciers will be no more by 2070 at the glacier national park. The arctic sea ice went to an all time low in 2007 with up to half million square miles of ices disappearing (Natural Resource Defence Council par 5). A lot has been spoken about global warming and climate change especially on the negative sense. However, global warming has come with a lot of benefits to humans, the built environment and food production. One of its benefits of global warming is reduced deaths during winters in countries such as Britain. Cold is a major killer than the heat waves as noted by Ridley (par. 9). Arguably, the number of lives saved by having a warmer environment is far higher than those lost to storms and hotter deserts. Reduced cost of energy has also been experienced as the change in climate has reduced heating bills as compared to its effects on cooling bills (Ridley par 10). There has also been improved agricultural output as plants benefit from the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Naturally carbon dioxide accounts for about 0.03 percent of the atmosphere, meaning that plants struggle to absorb it in as much as it is the raw material from which plants make carbohydrates and proteins. Currently, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased to 0.04 percent which is a plus to plants (Ridley par 11). Furthermore, rise in temperature come with less chances of drought. This is because warmer temperatures increase the chances of rain as experienced in the Sahel regions of Africa. This has also led to better biodiversity. More rain means more greenery for animals, both wild and domestic (Ridley par 13-14). Conclusion The atmosphere has experienced an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in recent times. This has led to changes in climate that has both positive and negative effects. The negative effects include wild fires, death causing heat waves, bad health, wild animal species facing extinction and reduced glaciers. While this is the case, global warming has several positive effects. Its positive effects include reduced deaths from cold, reduced cost of heating energy, increased agricultural output, increased rainfall in dry regions and increased biodiversity. Works cited Natural Resource Defence Council. The Consequences of Global Warming, October 12, 2008. Web. 4 July 2014. http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/fcons.asp Ridley Matt. Why climate change is good for the world, October 19, 2013. Web. 4 July 2014 http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/9057151/carry-on-warming/ Union of Concerned Scientist. Global Warming: Confronting the Realities Of Climate Change, 2014. Web. 4 July 2014 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/ Read More