Causes of Global Warming by Living and Nonliving Factors - Coursework Example

Global Warming Mitigation Strategies and Solutions Aasia Jahan Punjab 11 October, 2009 Table of Contents Contents Page No Title Page 01 Table of Contents 02 Global Warming 03 Causes of Global Warming by Living and Nonliving Factors 03 Global Warming Evidences 04 Positive Human Impacts of Global Warming 06 Negative Human Impacts of Global Warming 06 Current Mitigation Strategies and Solutions 07 Kyoto Protocol: An Analysis of its Application 08 My Plan to Achieve Sustainability 08 Benefits and Challenges of Plan 10 References 11 Appendix-I 12 Appendix-III 13 Global Warming Steady rise of the earths surface temperature is called global warming which is considered to be caused by the effect of greenhouse gases and ultimately changes the global climate models. The result of natural influences has been producing the global warming since very long but the term is most often applied to the global rising temperatures due to the increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Besides greenhouse gases, a large number of factors can be enlisted that are playing their role in enhancing the global warming. The Earth is a natural conservatory and it is being kept warm by some natural and man-made contribution. Causes of Global Warming by Living and Nonliving Factors Today’s research proves that the Earths average surface temperature has risen by about 1°F in 20th century. Meteorologists have firm logics and facts that the Earth’s warming is highly associated to human activities as it has been increasing since the onset of industrial revolution in 1950. Human beings have changed the chemical composition of the atmosphere by producing greenhouse gases mainly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These are heat-trapping gases. In the Earth’s atmosphere, greenhouse gases are those that first absorb solar radiation and then release it to the atmosphere within the thermal infrared range. This process is called the green house effect which is the fundamental cause of global warming. The well known greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that play a major role in global warming are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone. Hydro-fluorocarbons, per-fluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride are some other very dominant greenhouse gases that are the results of variety of industrialized processes. Major human actions such as use of fossil petroleum, automobiles, emerging industrial and urban areas, electric power plants and clearing of land are primarily responsible for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide whereas deforestation is the basic cause of enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The perspective of cooling influences and facts about global warming have proved a very high confidence level of 90% that the globally net effect of warming is due to human activities since 1750 (IPCC, Third Assessment Report, 2007). The contribution of these gases to the greenhouse effect is given in the following table. Gases Contribution to Global Warming (%) Water Vapor 36 – 72 Carbon Dioxide 09 – 26 Methane 04 – 09 Ozone 03 - 07 (Kiehl, Kevin, Trenberth, 1997) Some of scientists which are not in majority disagree about the association of increased greenhouse gases to the human activities. They claim that the global warming is the result of natural processes. According to their theory, the huge amount of emitted energy of the Sun has increased the Earth’s average temperature. However, this theory has been ignored by most of the climatologists which believe that the suns energy has a little influence on global warming. The results of a research report given as Appendix-I on page 12 confirms the human activities as the leading factor of recent warming. Global Warming Evidences There may be confusion in some minds whether the global warming is virtually happening or it is just propaganda. The answer is not just yes because the following alarming facts reveal themselves that global warming is the biggest challenge to the mankind in near future. (a) Since pre-industrial era, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide have increased 34% from 280 part per million (ppm) to 377.5 ppm (CO2 Information Analysis Center, 2007). These are the highest and incredible concentrations of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere in the last 650,000 years. (b) Another dominant greenhouse gas is methane which has risen 145% in the last 100 years (Peters et al, 1992). (c) Glacier and mountain snow is melting all over the six continents. Glaciers in Glacier National Park are expected to be vanished by 2030 provided the current rate of snow melting persists (World Watch Institutes Vital Signs, 2000). (i) Almost 90% of Grinnell Glacier has already melted. (ii) Due to globally rise in temperatures, the glaciers in Uganda at the Ruwenzori range are retreating substantially.  (iii) By losing 20-25% parts of the glacier, the biggest North American glacier, The Bering Glacier, has lost 7 miles of its length. (iv) Lewis Glacier in Kenya has lost 40% of its mass during 1963 to 1987 (Hastenrath, Kruss, 1992). (v) In New Zealand, overall 26% of glaciers have shrunk while Tasman Glacier has watered down by more than 100 meters during last century. (vi) Gangotri Glacier in India is thinning. The average retreating rate is 30 meters per year. The rates of melting ice were 7 and 18 meters annually between 1842 and 1935 and between 1935 and 1990 respectively. (d) Arctic acts as a kind of air conditioner at the northern side of the globe but due to rising temperature, it is the most dramatically effected area as it is going rapidly on its last legs. Arctic ice sheet has reduce in size and watered down by some 9% per decade since 1978 and it is projected that temperature likely to increase 4 to 7°C by 2040. It has been forecast by WMO that by 2050 or even before that, North Pole may receive its first fully ice-free summer. (e) IPCC reported that average global sea level has risen by 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20cm) during last 100 years. The IPCC has further predicted that sea level could rise from 4 to 35 inches (10 to 89cm) at the end of 21st century (IPPC, 2007). Positive Human Impacts of Global Warming (a) Warm temperatures contribute to less number of deaths due to cold weather as well as well as restricts the occurrence of massive snowstorm. (b) Increased agricultural production could be an outcome of global warming. (c) High concentration of carbon dioxide likely to increase the growth of plants, trees and thus create opportunities of more food. (d) The occurrence of next ice-age may be restricted. (e) Rising sea level may boost the oceanic energy which may develop into a valuable form of renewable energy. Negative Human Impacts of Global Warming (a) Global warming disturbs the global circulation and thus causing unexpected weather events in the world. Extreme weather events like strong tropical storms or drought conditions occur simultaneously at different parts of the globe. (b) Rising sea level is a real life threat to the population of low-lying areas. (c) Increased rate of diseases and death in human being while migration, loss and extinction of plants and animals habitats. (d) Increasing pollution is one of the critical upshots of global warming. Polluted air further concludes allergy and skin diseases in human being. (e) Another very dangerous effect is the dearth of water in already water-scarce areas. (f) Permanent loss of ice-sheet and glaciers. (g) Frequent forest fires. (h) Acidity of rainfall may increase. Current Mitigation Strategies and Solutions At the present scenario, the main current international agreement which is trying its utmost efforts against the hostility of greenhouse gases is the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is a legally regulated international agreement which was discussed in December, 1997 at Kyoto, the city of Japan and its main task was to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 5.2% in the world during 2008 – 2012. The agreement is linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement entered into force on 16 February 2005 while on February, 2009, 183 countries have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. On June 2009, United States of America, historically the worlds leading greenhouse gases emitter, was the only country that refused to ratify the treaty. In the Kyoto Protocol, the main element is obligatory for 37 developed and European countries to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Since industrialized countries are mainly contributing in massive emissions of greenhouse gases, therefore, the Kyoto Protocol put heavy responsibility and loads on these developed nations under the head of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. The figure 5.2% is a joint target; however, in Protocol different countries were assigned lower or higher targets separately, even some countries were permitted to enhance the emission of greenhouse gases. For example, the United States has been projected to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases by 7%. Kyoto Protocol: An Analysis of its Application The Kyoto Protocol was widely appreciated throughout the world. But as far as political, economical and military objectives are concerned, there are countries which have violated the basic rules and objectives of the agreement. Most of the countries make their strategies on the above mentioned basis. That’s why the Kyoto Protocol seems of getting short of its set objectives of the year 2012. The concentration of carbon dioxide is rising continuously at a terrifying rate. Consequently, global warming is increasing. The data given as Appendix-II on page 13 describes it better and announces that Kyoto Protocol couldn’t make a vital break through in mitigating the global warming. My Plan to Achieve Sustainability The following sustainability plan involves proposes of gradual, feasible and attainable goals in three priority areas i.e. reduction in emission of greenhouse gases, reduction of energy consumption and air pollution reduction, promoting the use renewable energy sources and educating the general public about the problem. Action Items Action Steps Timeline Introduction (a) The major problem of how to reach the sustainability of global warming in my city? (b) Consultation with experts about Global warming: the burning environmental issue of the world. (c) Why this problem is required to be given serious attention? 01 week Research on the problem By using Libraries, online libraries, journals, research papers and other media to have a vast and sound knowledge about the following: (a) What is global warming? (b) Greenhouse gases, greenhouse effects and their contribution to global warming? (c) Causes of global warming? (d) Evidence of global warming in different parts of the world (e) Natural, biological and common effects of global warming on human, animals, plants and nonliving bodies. (f) Current environmental agreements, mitigation strategies and solution (g) Collection and review of climate data of different parts of the world and especially my own city (h) Formulating the models to reach sustainability of global warming. 1 – 3 months Preparation of lectures on the topic Preparation of detailed and logical lecture on global warming and mitigating strategies to highlight the importance and future challenges of the problem and benefits of your program, The presentation must be supported with real facts and figures. 4–5 months Lecture scheduling Invitations and proper scheduling of the lectures before local authorities, civil societies and electronic / print media. Identify the current problem to the audience by highlighting the general and expected future effects of global warming. Correlation of the effects with the current climate data of own city. Apprise the audience of your goals and master plan to achieve the sustainability. Highlight the economic assistance from the government, private and social sector 5-12 months Important points in lectures Identify the current problem to the local administration by highlighting the general and expected future effects of global warming. Written summary of lecture to the audience Invitation to press for proper coverage - Post lecture steps Ask for written feedback from the participants about the master plan. Holding of meetings with the participants to resolve queries. - Execution of master plan Reduction of emission of greenhouse gases by 20% 2-6 years Ensuring the use of renewable energy by 20% 2-6 years Reduce the emission of CO2 from automobiles and industrial sectors by 20%. Reduce the use of single seated cars in the city. A campaign will be launched to motivate the business community and general public of the city to reduce the CO2 emission by using other forms of fuel or other modes of transportations. 2-6 years Media campaign regarding the usage of fresh water and wastewater 75% reduction of the solid waste by reducing the use of recyclable and non-recyclable waste 6-10 years Encouraging the use of green building practices through education, awareness and rewards. There must be at least 20% new buildings that follow “green building policy” 6-10 years Long range education and awareness program through seminars, lectures, and media campaign to familiarize 100% population of the city about the global warming, its adverse effects and importance of their individual and collective role to mitigate its impacts. 10-15 years Formation official and private committees for long terms to ensure the implementation and good governance of this master plan - Benefits and Challenges of Plan This sustainability plan will create very positive impacts on the environmental, social, economical and sanitation aspects of life. Public health standards will be boost up and the threats of virus, bacteria and skin diseases will be reduced. Further, the use of renewable energy resources will create new field of investments and thus more jobs and revenue will be generated for area merchants. To meet the future challenges of the plan, the people must do conscious efforts to change their lifestyle both at individual and collective levels and thus bring a real change in their normal priorities causing reduction in global warming. References Department of the Premier and Cabinet (2007). National Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Electricity Supply Industry Planning Council data. Hastenrath, S., and P.D. Kruss (1992). Greenhouse indicators in Kenya. Nature. Volume 355. p.503-504. Kiehl, J. T.; Kevin E. Trenberth. (1997). Earth’s Annual Global Mean Energy Budget. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 78 (2). Peters, Robert L. Thomas E. Lovejoy (1992). Global Warming and Biological Diversity. New Haven, Conn Yale University Press. World Watch Institutes Vital Signs reports (2000). Based on a compilation of scientific sources p.126. Appendix-I Sectors Greenhouse Gas Emission Activity Community 8.5 Residential energy use Passenger road Landfill, waste, wastewater Industry 11 Gas and other fuels Electricity Industrial processes Energy 20 Residential energy Commercial energy Gas and other fuels Electricity Transport 5.9 Air, sea, rail and other transport Passenger road Freight road Buildings 7.6 Residential energy Commercial energy Natural Resources 2.8 Burning and soils Sheep, cattle and other livestock Deforestation Landfill, waste, wastewater Department of the Premier and Cabinet (2007) Appendix-II Country Change in GHGs Emissions (1990-2004) Treaty Obligation 2008-2012 Country Change in GHGs Emissions (1990-2004) Treaty Obligation 2008-2012 Denmark -19% -11% New Zealand +21% 0% Germany -17% -8% France -0.8% -8% Canada +27% -6% Greece +27% -8% Australia +25% +8% Ireland +23% -8% Spain +49% -8% Japan +6.5% -6% Norway +10% +1% United Kingdom -14% -8% Portugal +41% -8% - - - (http://unfccc.int/ghg_table_06)   Country Change in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (1990-2004) India +103% China +150% United States +20% Russian Federation -20% Japan +11% Worldwide Total +38% (http://www.wikipedia.com) Read More