The Effects of Global Warming Emergence - Term Paper Example

Position paper on ‘Global Warming Introduction Earth has witnessed numerous civilizations that have always aimed to improve the quality of life for humans. In the process of achieving such aims, industrialization and technological advancements have been witnessed in abundance. It is due to these advancements and improvements that life has leaped to a new level in terms of communication, production etc. It is an accepted fact that these factors have improved the standard of living for the humans and have created conveniences that were unimaginable by the ancient man. However, all of such luxuries have been provided at a cost which is will be paid by the current and the next generations. Global warming is considered to be one of such costs. Global warming is an end product of the major boost in industrialization and deforestation in the past and current century which is causing alarming changes in the environment and temperature levels of the planet. 2. Causes of the Problem United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change explained that the rising of the burning of fossil fuel in vehicles, factories etc causes an alarming increment in the emissions of greenhouse gases that prove to be harmful for the environment (8). The green house gases are an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrogen dioxide (N2O). The accumulation of these gasses in the environment tends to trap the sun rays in the Earth’s atmosphere, rather than facilitating them to radiate back to the space. The retention of the heat rays from the sum tends to cause an increment in the temperature of the planet and results in greenhouse effect. This is known as global warming. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change quoted figures that highlight the level of increment in the CO2 emissions in the past years; the boost in industrializations in the past 25 years caused an increment of emissions from 278 parts per million to an alarming high level of 379 parts per million in 2005 (8). Gore has done tremendous work with the aim of bringing about awareness regarding the crisis of global warming. He considered the production of power from fossil fuel burning as the biggest threat to global warming in the prevailing times and promotes immediate rectification of the source (4). Figure 1: Presence of CO2 in the environment over the years (Hoeven, 8) The above figure shows the increasing levels of CO2 in the environment for the past 40 years. It can also be noticed that the pace of increment has fastened since the beginning of the present century. Gore considered deforestation as the second major source of emissions of CO2 in the environment (187). The increasing trend of industrialization and urbanization has caused an increase in deforestation activities which leads to producing greater electricity and heat. Deforestation has dual effects on the environment. Firstly, upon cutting the trees the CO2 present in the trees is led out into the atmosphere. Secondly, trees are naturally equipped to absorb the CO2 from their surroundings; this natural cycle is disturbed when the trees are no longer present to absorb CO2. Toepfer explained another reason of the emergence of global warming; the depletion of ozone layer (2). Ozone layer serves as a shield (of molecules) from the intense heat rays from the sun. Toepfer stated after years of usage of manmade chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), it has been concluded by scientists that these emissions cause the depletion of the ozone layer (2). CFCs are utilized in air conditioners, refrigerators, spray cans etc. The depletion of the ozone layer disturbs the natural process of protecting the planet from intense heat rays and results in increasing the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. 3. Effects of Global Warming The following figure shows the projected increasing temperature in the atmosphere of the planet that is predicted to bear even more disastrous effects in the future: Figure 2: Projected increase in temperature (McMichael, A.J. et al., 3) Few of the effects of global warming have been discussed in this section. McMichael, A.J. et al. stated that Northern Canada, Alaska and Northern Siberia are more likely to suffer a significant change of almost 5°C increase in the temperature thereby causing the ice to melt at a faster pace and affecting the habitat of the animals living in those regions (6). McMichael, A.J. et al. also stated that glaciologists fear the possibility of huge glaciers (in Antarctica) to become a victim of the warm temperature and melt away. The melting of that ice is predicted to cause an even greater increase in the sea levels thereby threatening the existence of islands and population living near the coastal areas. McMichael, A.J. et al. also highlighted that much melting of ice-shelves has already been witnessed in the past 20 years (7). The increasing frequency of drought and famines in the world signals the increment in the temperature as the major cause. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stated that 220 million suffer from floods and droughts every year in Africa and these figures are likely to rise if effective steps are not taken to control the menace of global warming (18). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change quoted an estimate that highlights the enormity of the problem; 75 to 220 million people will stay deprived of water by the year 2020 (19). Climatic changes are causing shortage of water in the world. The climatic changes are producing more rainfall in the Asian regions due to which greater floods are being experienced every year. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stated that 30% of the crops are predicted to be wasted as a result of the increasing floods in the future, thereby creating a risk of hunger and malnutrition in many countries (20). 4. Solution to the Problem Gore stressed on the need to opt for solar energy instead of fossil fuel burning to take control of the issue of global warming before it is too late (69). He stated that the annual energy needs of the planet can be fulfilled by merely 8 days of supply of energy from the sun. He considered sun as the hidden treasure for the human that needs to be explored and used at its full potential. Gore also proposed the idea of making use of wind energy, rather than fossil fuel energy (45). He stated that the wind on the planet has so much energy that it can provide up to 5 times energy as compared to the energy present in all the resources on the planet. This alternate is being adopted commonly to produce electricity by many countries due to its availability and low cost. As stated earlier, dangerous emissions from burning fossil fuels in industries is one of the biggest sources of creating global warming. Effective measures need to be taken on a national and international level where countries should be prohibited by law to reduce their overall rate of emissions. Figure 3: Degree of dangerous emissions from different countries (Hoeven, 9) The above figure highlights the top 10 countries with the highest levels of CO2 emissions. It can be seen that the most industrialized countries, China and US, are at the top in the respective list. Porter provided the information that United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 (also known as Copenhagen Summit) took place with the aim to regulate a law that would set a limit for the level of dangerous emissions in the atmosphere by the countries (1). However, the summit could not end with the regulation of any useful law. Toepfer proposed that countries should comply with the Montreal Protocol since it compels the manufacturers to replace the chemicals containing CFC with alternatives (3). Besides promoting efforts on a national level, individuals need to bring about changes in their lifestyles to ensure that they do not harm the environment. Molina stated that people should prefer to purchase the CFC free or ozone friendly spray cans that do not act towards the depletion of the ozone layer (3). People should avoid using cars as much as they can and reduce the usage of household appliances. 5. Conclusion The end result of the aggravation of industrialization and deforestation on the planet is global warming. The accumulation of the greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in the atmosphere of the planet inhibits the process of radiating the sun rays back into the space; this trapping of the heat rays causes an increment in the temperature of the planet. Deforestation and urbanization promotes the cutting of the trees. Trees are an important part of the environment since they absorb dangerous gases in the environment. The reduction of trees on the planet is causing an increase in the presence of greenhouse gases. CFCs cause the depletion of ozone layer and ozone layer depletion is causing more sun rays to enter the atmosphere of the planet; thus contributing to increase temperatures of the planet. Climatic changes are causing greater frequency of floods, droughts, water and food shortage, melting of the glaciers on the poles etc. Melting ice on a massive scale is threatening the existence of islands and coastal areas. The need of the hour is to take steps on a national and international level to set limits on the level of dangerous emissions in the atmosphere from each country and replace harmful substances with environment friendly alternatives. Fossil fuel energy should be avoided and alternates like solar energy and wind energy should be preferred. Individuals should also take steps to reduce the global warming effect on a personal level by using environment friendly products. Works Cited Gore, Al., Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, Rodale Books, 2009, ISBN-10: 1594867348, Print. Hoeven, Maria Van der, CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion- 2011 Edition, International Energy Agency, 2011, Print. McMichael, A.J. et al. Climate change and human health, World Health Organization, ISBN 92 4 156248 X, 2003, Print. Molina, Mario. “Saving The Shield”, Namaskar, September Issue, 2005, Print. Porter, Andrew. “China and America to blame for Copenhagen failure, says Brown”, Telegraph UK 21 December 2009, Print. Toepfer, Klaus. “Towards Sustainable Development”, Namaskar, September Issue, 2005, Print. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Climate Change: Impacts, vulnerabilities and Adaptation in developing countries, 2007, Print. Read More