Global Warming Issue and Solutions - Term Paper Example

Global Warming Issue and Solutions In the 21st century, global warming is a prevalent issue. Many environmentalists, individuals, governmental and non-governmental institutions have reiterated their sentiments towards the issue. Currently, there is sensitisation in many parts of the world in concern to the prevalent issue. Apparently, a better part of the population is concerned about the issue, to the repercussions. Analysts have stated that there is a need to reduce pollution, since it is the ultimate cause of an increase in global warming. To make it clear, global warming is the computed increase in the average surface of the earth’s temperature, which is ostensibly dominated by emissions of greenhouse gases (Davis and Masten, 2014:4). Some of the gases that have immense effects on global warming include carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions emanate from the burning of fossil fuels, which is a prevalent activity in the world. Similarly, the increase in carbon dioxide in the air is due to immense deforestation. When there is immense deforestation, the population of trees in the world drastically reduces. This reduces the effectiveness of the purification process, where trees purify the air by using carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. When looking at the issue closely, analysts state that greenhouse gases have an effect in global warming, in that they keep heat close to the surface of the earth. On one side, this condition makes the earth liveable for both animals and human beings. However, there has been an immense increase in the emissions, which leads to overheating of the earth’s surface (H.W. Wilson Company, 2013:4). This is a threat to the ecosystem, since the conditions will continue to deteriorate, making it not conducive to habitation. The continued emissions will continue to pile heat on the surface of the earth, which will result into immense global warming. As such, there is a need to reduce on overreliance on sources of energy that produce the greenhouse gases. The history of emissions of gasses started in the 1700, where there was immense industrialisation in the world (Ruddiman, 2014:13). Many industries were sprouting, which led to reliance on fuel to produce energy. Burning such fossils led to increased emissions, which destabilised the heat on the earth’s surface. Since industrialisation has been improving with each passing decade, carbon emissions have been noted to increase. Therefore, it is evident that the emissions in the air have been increasing with each decade. This is a threat to the earth, as the global warming continues. For example, scientists state that over the last century, the entire earth has increased its warming at an approximate measure of 1 degree Fahrenheit (Weston, 2013:5). According to the Arctic climate Impact Assessment report, it is noted that the effects of global warming are felt in many parts of the world (Funk, 2014:14). For example, the report states that average temperatures of various places have increased by 4 degrees to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that many places have recorded an increase of an average of 3 degrees Celsius (Bier, 2011:1). Some of the notable areas that have increased the temperature include Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia in a period of 50 years (Baer and Athanasiou, 2014:9). According to Global Change Research Program in the United States, it is noted that the temperature in the United States has recorded an increase by 2 degrees in the last 50 years. Similarly, the precipitation has increased by an average of 5%. These are alarming figures, which show evidence of global warming. In demystifying the prevalent issue of global warming, many studies and researches have been conducted to provide more statistical data. According to research, it is noted that the concentration of carbon dioxide, particularly in the atmosphere has recorded a threatening increase. It states that in the early 1900’s, the average concentration of carbon dioxide in the air was recorded at 290 parts per million. However, hardly two decades later, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air is recorded at 400 parts per million. This shows a 38% increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the air, in less than 24 years (Ruddiman, 2014:16). Several reasons can be cited for the increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air. To begin with, the increase in the number of industries in the world is cited as a reason for the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the air. The many industries and urbanisation contribute to a large percentage of carbon emissions. Secondly, the electric power generation is cited as the second largest contributor to emissions in the atmosphere. It should be noted that most of the industries and urban centres use electricity as a form of energy. As such, the reliance of electricity for vast uses puts pressure on power generating organisation (Popovich, Claramunt, Schrenk and Korolenko, 2014:7). Since they have to fully satisfy the demand, they have to continue producing power in colossal amounts. Thirdly, agriculture is a factor that has contributed to the increase in the global warming figures. Lastly, the transport sector is the fourth largest contribution to global warming. With an increasing population, urbanisation, migration and enhanced business opportunities, people and commodities have to be transported from one place to another. Through this process, there are increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Apparently, the four factors that have been stated are vital to human existence. As such, the entire world population objectively concentrates on improving the four factors that are closely linked to their lives. Conversely, the earth’s population does not focus on the formidable repercussion, which is global warming. As a fact, the world concentrates on the immediate solution to satisfying their needs, rather than focusing on the long term effects, especially global warming. According to statistics, it is noted that the four aforementioned factors have a great deal in increasing the effect of global warming. To begin with, industrial processes hold a larger percentage of carbon emissions in the air. Industrial processes account for 32% of the emissions (Miller, 2013:9). This is followed by electric power generation and agriculture, both accounting for 20% of the emissions. With an increase in demand for transportation, people are relying on the need for road transport, creating an increase in burning oils, which in turn emit carbon dioxide to the environment. Transportation accounts for 14% of the emissions in the atmosphere (Simon, 2013:11). In addition to this, residential and commercial properties account for 12% while waste disposal accounts for 2%. When looking at these figures and data, it is evident that human beings and activities are causative agents of global warming and pollution. Many people and concerned organisations have reconfirmed various solutions to the issue of global warming. This is a prevalent occasion as there is increased sensitisation in concern to the issue of global warming. According to statistics, it is noted that the global sea levels have increased by 8 inches (Falkner, 2013:12). This is entirely caused by disposal of waste materials in water bodies. With an increase in industrialisation, industries have to find places where they can dispose their waste materials. However, industries find it hard to appropriately dispose their waste materials. The materials are often disposed into water bodies. Apparently, most of the waste materials are non-biodegradable. This problem is experienced in many countries across the world. The appropriate solution to such a scenario is recycling waste materials. For example, plastics and non-biodegradable materials can be re-used (Howe, 2014:7). For example, some industries are using plastics to make furniture, which includes chairs and tables. This initiative has been benchmarked by furniture stores in some parts of the United States. This has proven an improvement in the world, as the waste materials are put into better use, rather than disposing the materials into water bodies. There should be a focus on energy consumption in industries and commercial properties. These are notably some of the factors that increase global warming. To begin with, there is a need to enhance the use of energy saving equipments. These are motive power facilities that do not consume colossal amounts of energy to provide efficiency. For example, there should be introduction of cooling machines that do not use excessive energy, introduction of inverters and energy saving facilities (Christoff, 2014:6). For example, some energy facilities can store power for future use. This will limit direct reliance on energy. Secondly, there should be a revision on the manufacturing processes, to enhance efficiency. This will limit the excessive use of energy. For example, instead of using different engines to propel different machines, the same machine can be used to propel various machines. Thirdly, there is a need to adjust the various room temperatures, especially when using air conditioners, energy saving lighting and automation of equipment in commercial offices and industries. This will have a positive effect on reducing global warming, as the temperatures will be maintained at favourable levels. The United States government is committed to ensuring the issue of global warming is solved through amicable solutions. This has led to initiation of various strategies. The most appropriate strategy is the enhancement of innovation, especially in the energy sector. For example, the government is encouraging stakeholders to invest in the production and harvesting of solar energy. This is a prudent approach in reducing global warming, since there will be use of energy that does not affect the temperature of the earth’s surface. Similarly, the government is encouraging many people to use renewable sources of energy, which also includes solar energy. This will help a great deal in enhancing the fight against global warming in the world (Bier, 2011:1). The entire world should take part in such an initiative, which will help in reducing global warming. Similarly, the world should take the initiative of planting trees, to help in purifying the air. This initiative was strongly undertaken by the Greenbelt Movement, which was initiated by the late Kenyan Professor Wangari Maathai, which earned her a Nobel Peace Prize. This shows the commitment the world has concerning to global warming. In conclusion, global warming has had adverse effects on the world. This is a threat to human existence, as the conditions continue to deteriorate. The most appalling factors include the increase in pollution and deforestation. Similarly, some factors like reliance on particular sources of energy are also increasing global warming. Therefore, there should be an initiative to reduce pollution by use of preferred methods. This includes recycling materials, saving energy, planting trees, reliance on renewable energy sources and enhancing efficiency in operations management to reduce energy consumption. References Baer, P. & Athanasiou, T. (2014) Dead heat global justice and global warming, New York, Seven Stories Press. Christoff, P. (2014) Four degrees of global warming: Australia in a hot world, London, New York, Earthscan/Routledge. Davis, M.L. & Masten, S.J. (2014) Principles of environmental engineering and science, New York, John Wiley & Sons. Falkner, R. (2013) The handbook of global climate and environment policy. Chichester, U.K., Wiley-Blackwell, viewed April 11, 2014 from . Funk, M.K. (2014) Windfall: the booming business of global warming, New York, The Penguin Press. H.W. Wilson Company (2013) Global climate change, Massachusetts, H.W. Wilson Company. Howe, J.P. (2014) Behind the curve: science and the politics of global warming, Seattle, University of Washington Press. Popovich, V., Claramunt, C., Schrenk, M. & Korolenko, K. (2014) Information fusion and geographic information systems (IF&GIS 2013): environmental and urban challenges, viewed April 11, 2014 from . Miller, D.A. (2013) Global warming, Detroit, Greenhaven Press. Ruddiman, W.F. (2014) Earths climate: past and future, New York, Freeman. Simon, S. (2013) Global warming, New York, HarperCollins Childrens. Weston, D. (2013) The political economy of global warming: the terminal crisis, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge. Bier, D. (November 28, 2011) Global warming 101, viewed April 11, 2014 from . Read More