Solutions to Climate Change - Essay Example

Introduction Climatic change has become one of the key areas and largely an issue of concern, both to the already developed and the least developed countries. Immense researchand evaluative studies are being carried out in a bid to ascertain the present situation, and to greatly determine to what extent the problem is man-made (Ellie, 2014). It is irrefutable that climate has changed, with global warming being the most discussed issue all over. Human-made climate change means that the adverse changes being experienced in the planet have been caused, and further accelerated rapidly by activities carried out by human beings (OSS, 2012. To a great extent, climate change is man-made. To effectively prove this, important data and statistics shall be provided. Thereafter, a discussion showing to what extent climate change is man-made shall be provided. It shall also give evidence on how climatic change affects (and will further affect) the world. Lastly, solutions to climatic change shall also be recommended. Important Data and statistics By the records, prior to the advent of the industrial revolution, the levels of carbon dioxide were way lower than they are today (NASA, 2013). By the end of 2010, the levels of carbon dioxide stood at 389 parts per million as compared to 280 parts per million before the industrial revolution (Doyle, 2013). Records dating to as early as 1500 designate that there has been a steady increase in temperatures as Metz notes (Metz, 2010). Research carried out by UK and U.S based environmental research and scientific institutions show that since the late 1900’s, global average temperature has increased by 0.8 degrees (Hayward, 2014). This rate of increase might appear trifling but according to scientists, it is one of the strongest indicators of the rapid climatic changes happening on earth (Balonnof, 2013). In addition, scientists advise that if climatic change is not urgently addressed, by 2050, the rates of temperature increase should be expected to be between 2.6 and 4.5 degrees (VOA, 2014). Another imperative statistic from scientists is the verity that there is an over 40% increase in the rates of carbon dioxide and alarmingly, half of this has occurred after the 1970’s (Braasch, 2013). 98% of scientists collectively agree that 98% of the climatic change (with much emphasis on global warming) is caused by human activities (Gleb, 2013). To what extent is the climatic change man-made? Some people have argued that climatic change should not be ascribed to human activities. The opponents argue that there isn’t any scientific knowledge or physical evidence that has been provided to prove to the fact that human activities have caused the global warming (Madona, 2013). They further argue that climate change is a natural and innate process, that even if the industrial revolution had not taken place, the changes being experienced would still have been witnessed (Shipley, 2011). In addition, they dispute and say that the computer models used to generate the data to support the fact that climate change is man-made are usually wrong, and that people should not base their conclusions on this data (Shipley, 2011; Madona, 2013; Braasch, 2013). Lastly, they dispel this idea by saying that an increase in temperatures would probably make the earth more habitable and suitable for plants, the human race and for animals (OSS, 2012). However, it is important to be realistic and realize that climate change is man-made. If the industrial revolution had not taken place, would the Carbon Dioxide levels be as high as it is today? Burning of fossil fuels by human beings has led to a massive increase in the rate of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere (Pittock, 2013). Research shows that only 450 gigatones of carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants, whereas the oceans absorb about 439 gigatones of the total carbon dioxide emitted and released per year (Ellie, 2014; VOA, 2014). This is a smaller volume compared to an excess of these that is produced from the industries and many other human activities. The excess of the carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for a very long time, and this affects the climate of the earth (Kennel, Ramanathan and Victor, 2012). Deforestation is the other means by which human beings contribute to climate change as Hardy (2003) notes. Records show that over 33 million hectares of forest land is cleared all over the world in a year (Doyle, 2013; Pittock, 2013). Naturally, there exists aninnate cleanup and transfer of carbon made possible by plants and the oceans. Cutting down trees translates to lesser carbon dioxide being absorbed by plants and hence, the oceans have to increase their rate of carbon dioxide absorption (Metz, 2010). This affects the oceans by increasing their acidification and consequently, this affects the life of many marine animals and planktons that survive under the ocean (Ballonof, 2014). If deforestation would be reduced, the rate of carbon dioxide would definitely reduce. Many people do not take advantage of the recycling opportunities and advantages all over (Hardy, 2003). In addition, the massive use of transport means, the demand for new stuff, the huge amounts of power and electricity directly contributes to the increased global warming (Pittock, 2013). The fossil fuels burnt to address all the above issues increases the rate of green-house emissions and this directly increases the rate of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere. Evidence and effects of climatic change There is much substantiation of the effects of climatic change and global warming today. Science based evidence suggests that the retreating glaciers are as a result of global warming, the Alps and the Himalayas being a perfect example (NASA, 2013). Another effect of global warming is thinning out of the ice-sheets. The Greenland and Antarctic are perfect examples to illustrate this (Ellie, 2014). In 4 years, Greenland lost more than 200 cubic kilometers of ice sheet and this has been attributed to global warming (OSS, 2012; Stephenson, 2013). There are fears that if the trend continues, oceans shall rise and further displace the over 3 million people who live near the ocean coasts (Gleb, 2013). In addition, hurricanes and storms shall be more massive and severe; the economic condition is deemed to be affected as well as increased droughts and floods escapades (Haywards, 2014; Borenstein, 2014). Climate sensitivity is presently high and hence, measures should be taken to address the rate of climatic change. Human beings, since they are the main contributor to this change should honour the call to address this issue. Solutions to climate change To begin with, fossil fuels should be substituted with a more friendly form of energy (Stephenson, 2013). To many people, this is almost impossible asfossil fuels drive the economy. 98% of the industries in the U.K and the U. S are dependent on fossil generated power (Gleb, 2013). However, with the intimidating and dispiriting enormity of global warming, it might be worth testing the efficiency of carbon neural biofuels and sources of friendly nuclear power as advised by Stephenson (2013). These will address the issue of green house gases emitted. Another measure that can be taken is to egging on the adoption offriendlier ways of transportation. Transportation is one of the major contributors of green-house emission. Adoption of friendlier means such as the use of trains, car-pooling and car sharing, banning of airplane travel for short distances and encouraging people to walk will go a long way in reducing the rate of green house gas emissions (Kennel, Ramanathan and Victor, 2012; Ballonof, 2014). Records indicate that one gasoline gallon produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide and hence, friendlier transport will help in addressing climate change 9Hayward, 2014). Addressing the issue of deforestation is another measure. On the same, people should be encouraged to plant and reinstate the tress that were and are being cut down. Replacing the use of wood fuel for heating and cooking in the least developed and the developing countries will definitely go a long way in addressing climate change (Gleb, 2013). Another measure that can be taken is improving the infrastructure. Bad roads always translate to high fuel consumption irrespective of which vehicle type one uses. Infrastructure improvement would mean a lot of cement being produced and copper being mined installation. However, if friendlier processes such as the use of alternative means of heating in the kiln would definitely lead to a less use of fossil fuels (Hardy, 2003). Other measures include the use of second hand properties (instead of new ones), bulk shopping, unplugging devices from the power source after use, building of houses with more efficient insulations among many others (Stephenson, 2013; Borenstein, 2014). Conclusion It is evident that the high rate of climate change being experienced is to a great extent man-made. Some people dispute this but unfortunately, they do not give alternative measures of managing it. They argue that since it is a natural process, the earth shall take care of itself. However, since it is undeniable that man has greatly contributed to global warming; it is upon everyone to honour the call and address the issue. If the next generations are to have a fruitful environment, something has to be done. The human population should debate on the necessary steps and measures to take so as to address the rapidly increasing rates of climate change. References Ballonof, P., 2014. A fresh look at climate change. CATO Journal. 34(1), 113-128. Borenstein, S., 2014. Wildfires worse due to man-made climate change, studies show. The Huffington Post. [Online] Available at [Accessed 22nd May 2014]. Braasch, G., 2013. Climate change: Is seeing believing? Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 69(6), 33-41. Doyle, J., 2013. Mediating climate change. London: Ashgate Publishing. Ellie, Z., 2014. Climate change is man-made and is worsening despite a slowdown in global warming, claims report. DailyMail.co.uk. [Online] Available at [Accessed 22nd May 2014]. Gleb, R., 2013. Faces of climate change. Alternatives Journal. 39(2), 48-50. Hardy, J., 2003. Climate change: causes, effects and solutions. 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