Effects of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Global Warming - Research Paper Example

? Effects of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Global Warming Introduction Global warming and climate change are two environmental phenomena that threaten the Earth’s existence. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and pollutants in the atmosphere cause destruction of the earth’s ecosystem. Gas emissions and pollutants cause sea temperature to rise, producing more floods and natural calamities. Pollutants are produced in manufacturing plants and industries, power plants, and moving vehicles in the air, sea, and on land. Activities have been directed at a tragic scenario, for example, the industrial revolution, the rise of consumerism in America spreading like wildfire, the increase of the number of retailers and multinationals, and above all, globalization. All these have contributed to increased production which threatens the environment. In a study released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (as qtd. in Kim et al. 64), scientists are one in saying that the world must take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but achieving this will cost a lot for the global economy. The estimated cost will be about 500 to 550 parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide (CO2) which, when converted to the global GDP, is approximately 5%. The IPCC estimated that by 2050, the global mitigation toward stabilization is “between 1% gain and 5.5% decrease of global GDP” (qtd. in Kim et al. 64). Globalization has negative effects. Standardization and adaptation result in the choice of countless products. Markets are integrated and widened. The result is a unified spectrum of consumerism, multiple products invading supermarkets and retailers that are competing for the best. The world needs to create a green environment, an atmosphere free of the pollutants to control sea temperatures and protect the ecosystem and the ozone layer. The world’s program of activities has worsened the dim scenario. We depend much on fossil fuel as eighty percent of energy comes from fossil fuels. Our dependence on fossil fuel and coal as energy source exacerbates the situation. This essay will focus on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) produced by vehicles and non-moving structures like plants and industries as one of the causes of global warming. First, definitions and concepts of global warming are provided and will be followed by a discussion on gas emissions of vehicles and industries. Literature Review The Earth’s ecosystem, to include the forests, fisheries, wetland and fresh water resources, are about to lose significance to human existence. Global warming and climate change must be given attention by policy makers. Business and organizations should focus on sustainable and green environment. Air pollutants are increasing because of our use of fossil fuels for energy, continuous deforestration, and industries increase greenhouse gases that produce the greenhouse effect. GHGs trapped in the atmosphere exacerbate the greenhouse effect directly as they interact with radiation, but indirect effects are produced in the form of chemical transformations and when gases are mixed with other gases. A gas can affect cloud formations and atmospheric processes that affect the radioactive balance of the earth. Other gases like “carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), indirectly affect land and/or solar radiation absorption, because they share in the formation of substances in the atmosphere with a climate change impact” (Giuffre and Grana 67). Concepts on Global warming Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas as it is released and stay concentrated in the atmosphere. It constitutes about 77% of the produced global greenhouse gas emissions. This concentration in the atmosphere creates global warming, which in turn creates the ozone hole. The ozone hole is caused by global warming and not the other way around. Reducing CO2 is the best way to reduce global warming (qtd. in Reinfried et al. 156). Other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere include methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. These gases are produced during agricultural and industrial processes. Climate change affects the temperature and precipitation. This means more rain and floods created by a continuously increasing global warming. In reducing greenhouse gases, it is logical to study and discuss where they come from and how they are produced. Greenhouse gases come from many of humanity’s activities for so-called economic development. When economic development is not accompanied with the necessary sustainability principles, it becomes destructive. (Giuffre and Grana 67) Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1. The Transportation Industry The transport industry goes along with the tide of progress and development. There is no improvement if we cannot move as rapidly as we can from one place to another. But the transport sector has registered the third largest producer of GHG, with electricity and industry as the first and the second, respectively. This sector accounts for about 13 percent of GHG emissions globally, but about 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions (qtd. in Giuffre and Grana 68). 1.1 The aviation sector Aviation emits about 730 million tons of carbon dioxide annually on a global scale. The emission also increases year on year. From 1990 to 2050, global air transport CO2 emissions will have tripled and global warming effects will increase four times by the time we reach 2050. What is more dangerous with air transport is that it emits directly into the higher levels of the atmosphere causing greater environmental impact (Giuffre and Grana 68). In a report by the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (qtd. in Giuffre and Grana 68), CO2 emissions from aircraft have already been clearly identified and emissions caused by aviation “is about three times larger than the CO2 alone because of the radiating forcing of the oxides of nitrogen” (Giuffre and Grana 68). The aviation sector should apply sustainability in its operations and activities, emphasizing environmental programs, particularly in reducing GHG emissions. The industry should minimize environmental impact by conducting recycling, reducing and reusing, also known as the 3Rs. Reducing materials means reducing the time and effort in production and processing of the product to end users. Detoxification means separating non-biodegradable materials (the toxic ones) from biodegradable ones. Activities in airports are intensifying. Businesses and catering services abound in this part of the city and they generate a lot of waste, from solid waste to waste water and chemicals. Wastes from airlines are also unloaded at airports which must have a systematic waste management in order to avoid adding pollutants into the atmosphere. 1.2 The automotive industry Moving automobiles and manufacturing plants that produce cars by the thousands every day are one of the great producers of CO2. First, manufacturing plants have to provide environmental safeguards to reduce GHG. Governments have the responsibility to regulate the plants and make them comply with regulations in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. But most plants are not complying. There have been suggestions coming from the automotive industry on how to reduce GHG emissions and the cost of investment (qtd. in Kim et al. 65). One of the strongest recommendations from automotive producers is on fuel economy, with the ultimate goal of cutting GHG emissions. An option to achieve this aim is vehicle lightweighting. Among the potential materials are high-strength steel (HSS) and aluminum which aim for weight reduction, vehicle safety and performance essentials. A few obstacles to the use of these materials are higher costs and institutional and technical problems. Currently, vehicle brands that use light materials for lightweighting aims are Audi (models A8 and A2), Jaguar (model XJ), Scamans 2005, and Henn and Leyers (2006). These are aluminum-intensive vehicles. These models demonstrate the technical possibility of curb weight. Some studies have reported that life cycle GHG emissions are associated with the costs of alternative automotive technologies (qtd. in Kim et al. 65). Aluminum and lightweighted vehicles have the potential of reducing life cycle emissions. The study of Kim et al. proved that 11% of aluminum is the most cost-effective option to remove GHG emissions per kilogram. For consumers, 23% of aluminum lightweight vehicle is the most economical option. They also analyzed the benefits of vehicle size and found that there is likely to be a greater fuel saving effect for larger vehicles. Hybridization is another strategy to reduce GHG emissions since hybrid cars combine motor and engine and use petrol and electricity (Liu et al. 1). Hybrid cars are the answer to demands of fuel efficient automobiles and less GHD emissions. 2. Cities as Primary Source Cities are a great source of pollutants which create greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. Cities that are not well designed or planned threaten the environment. Many local governments have introduced creative urban design and properly managed businesses and buildings to lessen GHG emissions. GHG emissions come from residence and transportation sectors, as a result of urbanization. The study found that controlling GHG can be addressed locally by communities concerned. (Liao et al. 1285). Emissions from restaurants contain gaseous pollutants. This is the result of fuel combustion that produces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and others. Many restaurants use charbroiling equipments that produce particulate emissions. In Asian countries, particularly India, restaurants use charcoal as a prime energy source. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), although considered clean fuel can also contribute to carbon dioxide emission. Fuel that comes from low-grade coal, wood, crop residues, and cow dung also produce a lot of pollutants. (Majumdar et al. 995) Conclusion We have discussed in this paper the various causes of global warming and we focused on greenhouse gas emissions. GHG emissions come from the transport sector, i.e. emissions from jet engines, motor vehicles, and ships on seas. Urban places are primary source of pollutants and GHG emissions that may come from manufacturing plants and industries. Scientists and concerned policy makers have called for a systematic planning and environmental management in order to reduce GHG emissions. There has to be systematic ways of reducing emissions and this can be applied in every human activity. Despite the efforts of concerned individuals and organizations, global warming is worsening because of GHG. Scientists warned that the world is a ticking time bomb and if we do not do drastic actions, like a bomb the world will destroy itself. Annotated Bibliography 1. “Environmental Impacts of Electric Vehicles in South Africa,” by Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt and David Glasser (peer reviewed; pages 1-6) The article talks about electric vehicles which are seen by policymakers as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But researchers commented that the effectiveness of electric vehicles in helping reduce GHG emissions depends on the cleanliness of the electricity grid. The article also compared some features of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, which also hold promise in reducing GHG emission. Hybridization is combining motor and engine to run an automobile, which means this can work on petrol and electricity (provided by the battery). The principle is to let the car start with the engine and once it is in full swing, the motor will substitute the engine. This operation is fuel efficient. 2. “Correlation Between Land-Use Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in urban Areas,” by C.-H. Liao, C.-L. Chang, C.-Y. Su and P.-T. Chiueh (peer reviewed; pages 1275-1286) Urban areas produce a big share of the GHG. Businesses and almost all sorts of human activities and interactions are done in cities. Land use change and its association with GHG emissions have been a subject of study by Liao and colleagues, who found that “low to high levels of urbanization in neighborhoods cause increased total GHG emissions and emissions from all sectors.” Restaurants and business establishments emit GHG. The authors suggested careful urban planning focusing on the environment to reduce GHG emissions. 3. “Economic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction by Vehicle Lightweighting Using Aluminum and High-Strength Steel,” by Hyung-Ju Kim, Gregory Keoleian and Steven J. Skerlos (peer reviewed; pages 64-80) The authors conducted a study on lightweighting vehicles (LW) as a way of reducing GHG emissions. In the qualitative study, they concluded that lightweight vehicles are cost effective and help in reducing GHG emissions. With the use of aluminum and high strength steel (HSS), cars use less fuel. They found that the cost to remove GHG emissions by lightweithing vehicles expressed in dollars per metric ton was lower as the lightweighting increased. 4. “Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Airport Inventories: An Overview,” By Giuffre, Orazio and A. Grana (peer reviewed; pages 67-81) This article discussed the GHG emissions of aviation and recommended ways to reduce GHG. Scientists are investigating the potentials of bio-fuels as a substitute for jet fuel and also to minimize GHG emissions. Algae can be used as bio-fuel. The study recommended hydro-renewable jet fuel taken from microalgae that can be used as conventional jet fuel. However, this is still in the experimental stage. Other projects involving alternative fuel include the hydrogen-fuelled aircraft, also known as the CRYOPLANE. Environmental aspects are also considered in the design of airplanes and engines that provide low maintenance and economic aspects. Works Cited Giuffre, Orazio and A. Grana. “Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Airport Inventories: An Overview.” Journal of Sustainable Development. 4.5 (2011): 67-81. ccsenet.org. Web. 29 Nov. 2013. Kim, Hyung-Ju, Gregory Keoleian and Steven Skerlos. “Economic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction by Vehicle Lightweighting Using Aluminum and High-Strength Steel.” Journal of Industrial Ecology. 15.1 (2010): 64-80. Wileyonlinelibrary. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. Liao, C., C. Chang, C. Su and P. Chiueh. “Correlation Between Land-Use Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Urban Areas.” International Journal of Environment Science and Technology. 10.1 (2013): 1275-1286. Springer.Web. 29 Nov. 2013. Liu, Xinying, Diane Hildebrandt and David Glasser. “Environmental Impacts of Electric Vehicles in South Africa.” South African Journal of Science. 108.1 (2012): 1-6. Creative Commons. Web. 29 Nov. 2013. Majumdar, D., A. Chintada, J. Sahu and C. V. Chalapati Rao. “Emissions of greenhouse and non-greenhouse air pollutants from fuel combustion in restaurant industry.” International Journal of Environment Science and Technology. 10.1 (2013): 995-1006. Springer. Web. 29 Nov. 2013. Reinfried, Sibylle, Urs Aeschbacher and Benno Rottermann. “Improving Students’ Conceptual Understanding of the Greenhouse Effect Using Theory-Based Learning Materials That Promote Deep Learning.” International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education. 21.2 (2012): 155-178. Routledge. Web. 29 Nov. 2013. Read More