Greenhouse Gases as the Major Cause of Global Warming - Essay Example

 Green House Gases as the Major Cause of Global Warming Green house gases (GHG), are a combination of gases which once emitted in the atmosphere, can absorb radiation. These green house gases are the major cause of global warming. They do this by preventing heat reflected by the surface from escaping the surface of the atmosphere. The heat is thus absorbed by the oceans or into the ground. Among the leading green house gases are water vapor and carbon dioxide. The problem is that some of these gases are naturally found in the atmosphere. The amount of these gases continues to increase daily due to the continuity of life. This is because humans and animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide which is emitted in the atmosphere thus increasing the ratio. Only oxygen and nitrogen let the absorbed heat pass. Methane which is one of the GHG’s, is a greater cause of global warming even than carbon dioxide because it can hold more heat even though it stays only about 10 years in the atmosphere as compared to a thousand or more of carbon dioxide. Methane is made from agricultural practices e.g. when fertilizer is produced. Over 33% of GHG’s emitted in the USA come from production of electricity. The sun’s rays hit the earth with big amounts of radiation which reach the earth as light. A gas ability to stay in the air determines it degree of effect to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the most effective among the green house gases because it’s the most abundant. It has been proven that it can stay more than a thousand years taking effect in the atmosphere. Researchers have been able to predict what to come as a result of global warming. We are to expect more droughts as well as more of floods. As a result of temperatures getting high, evaporation occurs from the land and the sea (Karl 1719-23). If precipitation does not occur in these places, then drought is anticipated. There are countries and regions that their water supply comes from ice meltdowns from mountains. However a current research on ice melting has shown that recently, ice is melting faster than it was estimated before. So in these regions, they can experience drought thus having deficiency for water even for use. The warm weather afterwards causes some an increase in heat waves, rainfall and scary storms. The melting ice flows into seas and large water bodies. These water bodies expand when the contained water is heated thus can cause the nearby localities to be submerged by the water. Nations in the pacific island are expected to be submerged by the waters by the end of the century. Human beings can be termed responsible e.g. by deforestation among others are activities that increase the green house effect and can be prevented or controlled by human beings. More solar heat has been closed up here in the earth’s surface. This causes an increase in the temperature. As a result, normal climate cycle is altered. These causes can be deadly especially for animals that depend on very high or low temperature because the winters become extremely cold but shorter while storms and strong winds increase and extremely hot summers. These extreme hot or cold climates will always lead to death risks e.g. from dehydration which is primarily caused by taking too much water than is required by the body or by having a deficiency of enough water in our bodies. Also temperature increase can cause respiratory problems and diseases like cancer. Large spells of cold or hot weather results to danger in agriculture, and forestry. This is because different plants have their specific climatic needs that they need to survive and bear fruits. Roads, seasonal or tracked are greatly affected by extreme weather. As stated by The Economic Times, China is the leading GHG emitter in the world followed by USA and thirdly India. The green house gases change the components of the air and thus can be termed as air pollutants. However, preventing green house gases from polluting the air can presumably help reduce the number of premature deaths around the globe. Climate was meant to be quite different from each day but it is not fair for humans to use this reason to avoid preventing green house gases from being emitted into the atmosphere. There are certain measures that we can take to ensure that supply of these gases into the atmosphere is limited to as little as possible. This would be a massive step done by humans if it were to work, though it would most likely take years to perfect. Growing food in our own gardens can be a great measure in preventing GHG because you would not have to drive miles to get the products needed (Van Dijk 108-119). Driving produces smoke with harmful pollutants of the air including carbon dioxide. Though this might be hard for a country, people are advised to grow their food locally. This is because the food that we use usually needs to be imported from other countries which involves air and road transport that produces pollutants. Reduction of electricity use by human e.g. unplugging electronic gadgets like TVs. when not in use and use of energy savers instead of bulbs that consume bulk electricity. It is also advised that we should try to find alternative sources of energy like solar panels. These methods are cheaper and easy to use at homes. Buying items and goods that are long lasting or for long-term use will not only save on transport emission, it also saves on emission during manufacturing. Take measures not to pollute the air e.g. by disposing well our domestic wastes and not burning them. Companies involved in manufacturing products can treat their waste gases before they are released in to the atmosphere. They can also recycle these gases to reduce the pollution. Humans can also decide on using transport methods that doesn’t emit gases in to the air e.g. use of bicycles instead of motorcycles and vehicles. In the final end, each individual needs to set up an example to the others as to which paths we are supposed to follow and what actions to take to preserve our loved environment which has sustained us for so long, and to make it safe for the generations to come. Work cited: Karl TR, Trenberth KE."Modern global climate change". Science, 2003 302 (5651): 1719–23 Van Dijk, P.; Zhang, J.; Jun, W.; Kuenzer, C.; WOLF, K.H. "Assessment of the contribution of in-situ combustion of coal to greenhouse gas emission; based on a comparison of Chinese mining information to previous remote sensing estimates". International Journal of Coal Geology 86 (1 Special Issue RS/GIS): 2011, 108–119. Read More