Global Warming: Natural or Man Made - Research Paper Example

GLOBAL WARMING: Natural or MAN Made Introduction: Global warming is a universal concern whether it concerns the political parties, or the scientist and social activist, or the common people. Global warming is a major point of concern. People all over the globe are in fear about the future implications of the same. In modern world, development and innovation in technology and also in the field of industry is absolutely necessary to survive. Every country is now investing a large amount of money to ensure the growth in the economy is always in terms with other nations. In order to achieve this economical as well as industrial development, the degree of global warming is also increasing drastically. 2.      What is Global Warming? Global Warming can be defined as increase of temperature of the earth surface, oceans and surrounding atmosphere of the globe due to some natural and some human created situations. Global Warming is now one of the most alarming environmental issues which are affecting the world (Lallanilla, 2013). Scientists across the world are keeping a check on the rising global temperature. In the very beginning, it was considered as a natural phenomenon, but over time researches have shown that the cause behind global warming is maximum human created and it is increasing rapidly with the development of industrialization all over the globe.  3.      Thesis of the Paper: The thesis of this paper is Global Warming is more of a human induced situation rather than a natural phenomenon. 4.      Global Warming is a Natural Phenomenon: Researchers have analysed the reason and effect of the global warming in the world and also on the people. There are a set of scientist and researchers who believe that global warming is essentially a natural phenomenon. In their opinion, though the continuous development of industry and plant demolition are causing the global warming still these have very little role to play. Researchers also believe that in some cases the global warming is beneficial for the people. Borland (2007) in his report pointed out the review of Dennis Avery and Fred Singer, as both of them in their analysis mentioned that “Global warming is an entirely natural phenomenon and its effects can even be beneficial.” (Borland, 2007) In order to support their view they have mentioned the example of cold phase in the world as in their analysis the cold phase was responsible for the death of more than double number of human beings in the world than the effect of warm. To support their view, they have mentioned that it was the unsteady Dark Ages and the Tiny Ice Age that responsible for the bigger storms, premature frost, extensive famine, plagues and other harmful diseases which caused more death. Moreover, the development of forest and wildlife is more stable and regular in the present warm phase as various kinds of animals and trees are now adapting well in the warm climate. While analysing their point Borland also mentioned that in their analysis, “sea-levels are not rising dramatically and storms and droughts have actually been less severe and frequent. The authors claim that the change is not man-made because the most recent period of global warming took place between 1850 and 1940 when there were far less CO2 emissions than today.” (Borland, 2007) In their view the extent of global warming is more or less natural phenomenon which generally happens due to continuous changes in the global atmosphere and surroundings. To support this fact Borland in his report give references to Prof. Singer’s review. Prof. Singer in his analysis mentioned that “We have a greenhouse theory with no evidence to support it, except a moderate warming turned into a scare by computer models whose results have never been verified with real-world events. The models only reflect the warming, not its cause” (Borland, 2007). Brandon (2010) in his report also pointed out several scientist and researchers opinion who pointed out that Global warming is nothing but natural phenomenon. He is his report mentioned the point of view of Charles Wax, who mentioned that “Global Warming  is not happening due to the excessive use of fossil fuel but the main reason is sunspot cycles and other natural phenomena that aren’t affected by greenhouse gases” (Brandon, 2010). To support this fact he also added various facts such as change in the climate condition of Mississippi where the rainfall changed drastically in 2 years span from 2007to 2009. In 2007, the country recorded rainfall of only 34 inches which resulted in a drought condition but within 2 years’ time, in 2009 rainfall totalled 86.11 inches. Mississippi is known for the El Niño phenomenon, which used to takes place in every three to seven years due to irregular warming of water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Brandon in his report mentioned the fact that El Niño phenomenon generally brings damper and colder than regular winter weather over the South, the same was happen in the heavy rainfall in 2009-2010. Human action is not the cause for these climate occurrences as it generally happens over the period of time. Another fact associated with the phenomenon is the level of CO2 in the climate as he mentioned in his report that out of 3.6% CO2 in the greenhouse gases, mankind work’s contributes mealy 3.2 percent of that. (Brandon, 2010) 5.      Facts Against the concept that Global Warming is a natural Phenomenon: There are several facts present in the modern world which clearly proves the fact that global warming is take place not only due to natural phenomenon. Different kinds Human act, such as deforestation, expansion of civilization across the globe, reducing the water bodies, emission of CO2 from various industries along with other intoxicating substances creating the global warming. Both pre and post industrialization era is responsible for the continuously growing global warming.  In her report she mentioned that “clearing of forests and other wild areas for agricultural purposes before the Industrial Revolution in 1840 added significant carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.” (Gray, 2012) There is also further evidence that “mankind is shifting the environment. According to the report the emission of carbon dioxide from cars and other factories of the developing nation such as China and India, along with continuous clearing of forest for expansion of civilization and also development of dam for developing power from river water-all these creating global warm. One can also consider the fact that  accounting for pre-industrial secretions shifts acknowledgment of global high temperature from industrialized nations to developing nations by up to 2 to 3 per cent. For example, in view of productions from pre-industrial land-use change upsurges the quantity of total global temperature that can be accredited to releases from “South Asia (a region that includes India) from 5.1 per cent to 7 per cent -- an increase of 37 per cent in the amount previously attributed to this region”. (Gray, 2012).  6.      Global Warming: A man made Situation: Recent analysis and studies reveals the global warming is more of a result of continuous development of the industry in all the developing and developed countries across the globe. Greenhouse gas (GHG) productions warm the planet by growing the profusion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn increase the greenhouse effect.  A report by Nuccitelli (2013) mentioned it with different facts and figures that 97% of the climate science papers support the fact that global warming is a manmade situation. The report is entirely based on various papers related to this subject which clearly support this fact. At the beginning of the century environment specialists have predicted that the sea level will grow 18-59cms by the end of this century, but with the increasing global warming effect now it has been estimated as the growth in the sea level will be around 26-82 cms. Their report also predicted that “atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amount of snow and ice has diminished, the global mean sea level has risen and the concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased.” (Aljazeera, 2013)  Developed countries like UK, USA, Japan, and the emerging economies like India are the main reason behind this global warming. A study published in Environmental Research Letters ranks the top seven causative countries to global warming. According to this report, these 7 countries are responsible for 60% of total global warming. These seven countries are the United States, China, Russia, Brazil, India, Germany and the United Kingdom. Most of the report suggested that China is the biggest contributor to this casualty. According to the survey due to all this developmental work and industrialization there is continuous emission of CO2 in the atmosphere. It also proves that “fossil fuel burning and land-use change (deforestation was counted as provoking emissions), methane, nitrous oxide and sulphate aerosol emissions. Each type of emission was weighed according to the atmospheric lifetime of the temperature change it caused.” (Environmental Issue, 2014) The research proves that USA is responsible close to 20% for the increase in surface temperature and also for the deforestation and other harmful activities that affecting the climate stability. USA is followed by China and Russia (8%), then Brazil and India (7%) and Germany and UK -5% each. Canada is in the 10th position after France and Indonesia. The survey also specified that in case of Brazil and Indonesia the effect of global warming has been mainly due to deforestation for the civil revolution as these 2 countries cannot be considered as the industrialized nations. King (2014) in his analysis mentioned the role played by the UK in the growing global warming condition. In his analysis he pointed out few key reasons which prove that global warming is being caused by human beings. The UN mentioned theme of ‘historical responsibility’ in their climate policy which points finger and raise questions about the role played by developing and developed countries. The research identified coal as “a climate warming fossil fuel, and its ability to smash hopes of capping global temperatures in the future”. (King, 2014) In this parameter UK placed among the top 7 countries regarding use of coal which result in the CO2 emissions. The extensive use of fossil fuel by UK resultant into increase of 0.5degree  temperature, along with release of methane, use of forest and land. The report also mentioned that “nitrous oxide from agriculture together is responsible for 0.59C of temperature rises”. (King, 2014) The developing and developed countries are responsible for global warming and despite knowing this fact they are helpless as they have to continue the industrial development and expansion due to continuous growing monetary challenge. 7.      Conclusion: How to Prevent Global Warming From the above analysis, it is very clear that global warming is the result of developing and developed countries’ industrialization and expansion of civilization by means of deforestation. At the end, one can figure out following ways by which global warming effect can be minimized, one must consider that with the continuous industrial development all over one cannot completely diminish the global warming, but surely can reduce the negative impact of the same to a greater extent. Over the course of time various countries have adopted steps and also set specific aim over time to prevent global warming. Schmidt (2011) in his reports mentioned several countries’ aim in reducing global warming. For example, Australia “reaffirmed that they will cut their emissions to 5% below 2000 levels unconditionally and will increase that target to 15-25% below 2000 levels in the context of an ambitious global deal. The country has already implemented in lawmaking a national renewable energy target which requires that 20% of electricity come from renewable energy by 2020.  They have invested AUD 500 million in carbon capture-storage and AUD 500 million in industrial scale solar.” (Schmidt, 2011).The countries of European Union mentioned that they have aim to reduce the carbon emission level 2 by 20-30% below their 1990 level. US set their aim to reduce the same by 17% below 2005 level. In order to achieve the same US has devoted $92 billion in “clean energy” campaign which include $29 billion in energy efficiency and $21 billion in renewable energy. (Schmidt, 2011) Apart from the several methods that have been taken by the government of several countries common man can also control global warming by using bio degradable substances, ensuring less energy consumption by reducing unnecessary power usage, using car or personal vehicle which is certified pollution free etc. One can also control the emission of carbon dioxide by proper use of thermostat. For example, turning the temperature of the thermostat according to external climate can ensure a carbon dioxide deduction of approximately 500 pounds for each two-degree adjustment, likewise keeping the temperature of water heater at 120 degree can save 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Governments and common people have to play a key and sensible part in order to reduce the global warming and greenhouse effect. It is absolutely necessary to save the world from the effect of increasing temperature and also maintain the percentage of trees high to reduce the greenhouse gas effects. Otherwise people will encounter Tsunami, landslide and other natural calamities which one day can destroy the entire mankind. Despite all the progress made in science, without the proper mindset and right implementation of these scientific developments, even science cannot prevent mankind from the devastating power of natural calamities.                 References Aljazeera (2013); UN: Extremely likely global warming man-made; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/09/man-made-global-warming-extremely-likely-201392784136597742.html Borland, S.; (2007); Global warming is good and is not our fault; The Telegraph, retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1563054/Global-warming-is-good-and-is-not-our-fault.html Brandon, H.; (2010); Changing climate: natural phenomenon?; Delta Farm Press; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://deltafarmpress.com/management/changing-climate-natural-phenomenon Environmental Issue: pollution; (2014); The top 7 countries responsible for global warming; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/top-global-warming-producing-countries-0432423/ Gray, L.; (2012); Developing world caused more climate change before Industrial Revolution; The Telegraph; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9373195/Developing-world-caused-more-climate-change-before-Industrial-Revolution.html King, E.; (2014); UK has made largest contribution to global warming says study; Responding to Climate Change; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.rtcc.org/2014/01/17/uk-has-made-largest-contribution-to-global-warming-says-study/ Lallanilla M.; (2013); What Is Global Warming? ; Live Science; Retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.livescience.com/37003-global-warming.html Nuccitelli, D.; (2013); Survey finds 97% of climate science papers agree warming is man-made; The Guardian; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/may/16/climate-change-scienceofclimatechange Schmidt, J.; (2011); Developed Countries are Reaffirming their Commitments to Reduce their Global Warming Pollution; NRDC(Natural Resources Defense Council): Switch Board; retrieved on 12.3.2014 from http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jschmidt/developed_countries_are_reaffi.html       Read More