Global Warming - Research Paper Example

? Global Warming Introduction Global warming has become a buzzword in recent environmental discussions. Global warming is a term used to refer to the increase in earth’s average surface temperature as a consequence of excessive emission greenhouse gases. Scientific groups and scientists have been engaged in research and have issued statements concerning global climate change. A widespread opposition to cut down the amount of emission of greenhouse gases has remained oblivious within the field of science. There has been a lot of contention if global warming is really happening and if it is triggered off by human activities. However, recent contributions in the field of science and environmental research now shows that global warming is a reality and human actions contribute a great deal to the dangerous phenomenon. This paper explores the preconceived causes of global warming and possible actions that can be taken by human race to stop it. Causes of Global Warming Human Causes of Global Warming The second category of causes of global warming is human activities. This is one of the most contentious environmental issues is whether human actions contribute to global warming. The subject of global warming is hardly mentioned without invoking human activities as a major contributor to the process. The climate of the earth is greatly determined by the first six miles into the atmosphere, which is indeed, a very thin layer. Looking at the earth from space, one cannot avoid conceiving the idea that human beings contribute immensely to global climate change. The main point that connects human beings to global climate change is the emission of excess greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Bennett, 2010). Emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, is the most dangerous cause of global warming (Maslin, 2002). Water vapor forms the largest part of greenhouse gases. However, its presence in large volume in the atmosphere has no direct link with human activities. A very small increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) is capable of increasing atmospheric temperature immensely. Greenhouse gases, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, have internal vibrational mode. These vibrational modes are capable of absorbing and emitting infrared radiation, which is responsible for global warming (greenhouse effect). Also, carbon dioxide has the tendency to stay in the atmosphere for long periods of time. Contrastingly, water vapor usually condenses easily or evaporate based on the prevailing weather situations. As such, water vapor can change faster to the current weather conditions in such a way that energy emitted from the sun and the heat radiated back into the atmosphere from the surface of the earth achieve an equilibrium. Carbon dioxide behaves like a controlling factor because its volume in the atmosphere stays relatively constant. Through emission of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the point at which equilibrium is attained is at much higher temperature and water vapor volume. Carbon dioxide emission is highly linked with human activities, thus the claim that human being contribute considerably to global warming (Maslin, 2002). It is believed that human beings have raised carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere by approximately thirty percent, which presents a very big increase. The most common human activity that is related with this significant increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is burning of fossil fuels. Changes in the proportions of various carbon isotopes in atmospheric carbon dioxide that are related with anthropogenic discharges also points at human beings as major contributors of the global climate change (Bennett, 2010; Valsson, 2006). The burning of fossil fuels for electricity production, transport as well as from heating and cement production, all contribute to increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by approximately 22 billion tons per annum. Electricity generation and other sources contribute only a third of the total tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. The enormous discharge of carbon dioxide into the air is leading to high build up of carbon dioxide (Valsson, 2006). Population is another cause of global warming that is attributed to man. As the number of people increases, there is demand for more food and means of transport. Increased use of vehicles means burning of more fossil fuels and hence increased discharge of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Also, there will be more pressure for increased agricultural production. Farm animals are also producers of methane gas through their manure. Industrialization has aggravated global warming. With increasing demand of rising population, there is much strain on available energy resources. More cars are produced, which in turn increases the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere (Haldar, 2011). Further, human beings have been linked with global warming through their persistent clearance of vegetation. Deforestation has become a major problem in the face of swelling population and growing need for large agricultural land. Cutting down of trees reduces the number of trees, thus leading to high concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Trees are crucial for carbon dioxide sequestration. When there are fewer trees to utilize carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen, it stays in the atmosphere and contributes to increasing global warming (Haldar, 2011). Natural Causes of Global Warming Despite the fact that global warming has mainly been blamed on human activities, world climate change is not absolutely as a result of human actions. There are also known natural causes of global warming. Natural causes of global warming are attributed to nature. One of the natural causes is release of methane from rice paddies and bacteria in bogs among other sources (Maslin, 2002). Methane is a greenhouse gas, which is perceived to be as effective as carbon when it comes to capturing heat in the atmosphere. Methane is amongst the main causes of global warming. Methane gas is discharged into the atmosphere in many regions around the world as well as from animals such as cattle. Wetlands and tundra region provide favorable conditions under which methane is released into the atmosphere, becomes trapped and causes intense heat on the earth surface. The second natural cause of global warming is climate change cycle. Climate change cycle happens over approximately forty thousand years. Since time memorial, there have existed cooling and warming cycles, which are still continuing to date. However, this should not make global warming cynics to worry less about global climate change. The third natural cause of global warming is solar cycle and sunspots. Cynics about global warming disagree with global warming proponents based on their argument that the earth warms naturally through solar cycles and sunspots without human input. When there increased cycles of sunspots and solar flickers, the earth’s temperature rises. Also, the earth cools off as solar cycle cools off. The fourth natural factor to which global warming is attributed is the earth’s rotation. The rotation of the earth is one of the major causes of global warming. As the earth whirls, the rotation is off to some extent, which leads to a vibration in the turn. Consequently, some regions may receive high or low sun’s radiation, which in turn impact on the temperature. This cycle has been going on for numerous years. The last cause of global warming is volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes are known to erupt violently in some cases. Significant eruptions may release ash and dust, which in turn block waves from the sun, thus cooling the earth considerably. Impacts of Global Warming i. Rising Sea Level One of the most significant impacts of global warming is the increase in sea level. As temperature increases, ice melts. Global warming causes considerable amounts of ice to melt at the ice caps at the North and South poles. This feeds oceans with extra water. Increasing temperatures can cause massive melting of ice, thus causing dramatic rise in the level of sea water (Haldar, 2011). Scientist postulate that the level of sea water could increase by approximately 1.4 m. Consequently, coastal plains will be flooded or simply submerged in the surging water volume. A considerable portion of the global population lives along the coastline. As such, millions of households and lives stands to be lost as the coastal region get covered with water. The islands are no exceptions as they will probably get swallowed in the increasing water volume. Food production is likely to decline as sea water breaks the banks and flood most farms spoiling several farms (Haldar, 2011). ii. Floods and Drought Floods and drought is the second likely consequence of global warming. Increase in temperature increases the rate of water evaporation. Evaporated water condenses to form clouds, which in turn fall in the form of rain or snow. However, because global warming disrupts the hydrological cycle, rainfall will be distributed unevenly in different regions. In dry regions, high evaporation is likely to cause more droughts. Plants in such areas will starve because of lack of water and eventually wither leading to high accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. People living in worst hit regions would die of hunger and thirst. In wet regions, evaporation is likely to cause more rain or snow leading to floods (Haldar, 2011). iii. Extreme Weather The third impact of globalization is significant change in weather conditions. A variation in temperature changes the weather significantly. Global warming intensifies storms and rains, thus causing general change in global climate (McKinney, Schoch & Yonavjak, 2007). The climate has been changing and there is a likelihood that the climate in the future will be very different from the one that is experienced currently. Major incidences of strong rains and storms have been witnessed recently in different parts of the world. They have caused extensive damages and if the storms and rains are to any stronger, then the extent of damages would be unimaginable. There are other numerous strings of changes that come with extreme weather changes. Desertification, food crisis, extinction of plant and animal species are a few examples of consequences that would come with global climate change (McKinney, Schoch & Yonavjak, 2007). iv. Health Hazard Fewer deaths would occur with warmer winters among the aged. However, the old would also be exposed to extreme heat and deaths caused by heat-waves are anticipated to rise. Warmer climate will create favorable conditions for disease vectors like mosquitoes and motivate their migration to such areas that were previously free from malaria (Casper, 2010). v. Economic Impacts The last effect of global warming is it impact on world economy. The effect of global climate change can be disastrous. The costs of climate change surpass its cost of control by far causing general economic anguish. People living in low-lying nations may be compelled to migrate as a result of flooding. Flooding and storms would disrupt international trade, transportation and energy distribution as well and labor provision. Markets would be faced with high instability causing investment mayhem. As such, global warming is likely to hurt the world economically (Casper, 2010). Possible Human Intervention to Curb Global Warming Amidst public outcries for global climate change, people can take radical steps to prevent global warming from worsening. Some of these approaches that would reduce global warming include: i. Reduced Use of Fossil Fuels There exist two main ways in which the use of fossil fuels can be lowered. First, people should be encouraged to practice energy conservation and reduce energy use or seek alternatives to fossil fuels such as solar and wind power. Households should be encouraged to purchase energy-efficient electric devices and substitute traditional bulbs with fluorescent ones. Everyone should embrace the idea of going green (Chiras, 2011). ii. Tree Planting Planting of many trees is likely to reduce the occurrence of global warming. Carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of global warming, is utilized by plants through a process known as sequestration. Deforestation encourages the build up of carbon dioxide in the air because there are fewer trees left to absorb carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. However, tree planting can save the situation by offsetting the imbalance caused by excessive emission of greenhouse gases, particularly, CO2 (Chiras, 2011). iii. Waste Reduction Waste accumulation contributes considerably to global warming. Decomposing wastes emit methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Recycling of resources may cut down the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere and also reduce energy uses because fewer items need to be made (Chiras, 2011). iv. Water Conservation There are significant amounts of energy used in purification and supplying water, especially in towns and cities. Conserving water would mean less energy use in supply and purification of water. Water conservation would help to reduce the problems caused by high levels of evaporation leading to water scarcity. People should learn how to use water economically so as to avoid looming shortages in future (Chiras, 2011). v. Geo-engineering The last possible way of responding to global warming is through geo-engineering. Geo-engineering refers to express and intentional manipulation of the earth’s climate (Cokinos, 2010). In the face of dwindling mineral resources from growing use of fossil fuels, the approach seems to be an important way of countering global warming. However, the approach is quite complicated and is perceived to more risks that need to be scrutinized. Conclusion Global warming is a serious challenge for mankind as well as all creatures on earth. There have been changes in global climate in recent times posing huge concerns among many scientists. Global warming has mainly been attributed to human actions such as discharging excess CO2 into the atmosphere through combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation and population explosion among others. However, global warming skeptics have disowned the idea of global warming and cited natural causes of the situation that is now attributed mainly to mankind. There are numerous effects of global warming such as rise in sea level, extreme weather change, intensified storms and hurricanes, health impacts and reduced food supply. Human beings can do a lot to stop global warming. People can use clean energy sources, reduce garbage accumulation and conserve water in order to prevent continued spread global warming. References Bennett, S.E. (2010, January). An experimental study of opinion on climate change: Labile causalities and stable realities. Review of Policy Research, 27(1), 103-125. Doi: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2009.00433.x Casper, J.K. (2010). Changing Ecosystems: Effects of Global Warming. New York: InfoBase Pub. Chiras, D.D. (2011). Environmental Science. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Cokinos, C. (2010). Prozac for the planet: Can geoengineering make the climate happy again. American Scholar, 79(4), 20-33. Haldar, I. (2011). Global warming: the causes and consequences. New Delhi: Mind Melodies. Maslin, M. (2002). Global warming. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press. McKinney, M.L., Schoch, R.M. & Yonavjak, L. (2007). Environmental science: systems and solutions, 4th ED. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett. Valsson, T. (2006). How the world will change with global warming. Reykjavik: University of Iceland Press. Read More