The Effects and Consequences of Global Warming - Term Paper Example

? Global warming Global warming is the gradual increase of the earth’s surface and ocean temperatures. For many centuries, the surface temperature of the earth has been rising, altering the physical structure and the weather conditions of the earth. While the effects of global warming are slowly but surely making themselves known, scientists have proven that these effects are quickening the longer we brush off the threat that global warming presents. By continuing to ignore the threats that come with global warming, we are not only putting the world at risk of destruction, but the human race as well. With the implementation of information taken from scholarly texts, this report will address the history of global warming, what causes global warming, what the effects and consequences are, and how global warming can be prevented. Global warming Brief history of global warming Global warming may seem to many people like a modern day concern, an event that our current generation has brought upon itself. However, scientists and researchers have been following the steady progress of global warming since the 1800s. During the first Industrial Revolution, it was recorded that the coal, railroads, and the clearing of forests for various factories were causing greenhouse gas emissions to accelerate (Weart, 2008). As scientists studied the second Industrial Revolution, the same changes were again noted. A connection was then made between what was taking place on earth, such as wars and deforestation, and the moderate change in the earth’s surface temperature. Since these first recordings of the changes in the world in relation to the changes of the surface temperature, the earth’s temperature has increased from 2.5 to 5 degrees Celsius. While this may seem like a minimal increase, scientists today have reason to believe that the increase will become more prominent over time as people find more ways to release dangerous emissions into the air. Causes of global warming Global warming is the result of greenhouse gases being trapped within the earth’s atmosphere. As these gases build up, the temperature becomes warmer and the earth feels the effects. Carbon dioxide is one of the main gases involved in the process of global warming as it has the capability of building up for a span of time that can exceed a few hundred years (Weart). Carbon dioxide is also considered to be the most dangerous of the gases since it only takes a small amount of carbon dioxide emissions to cause a significant increase in temperature. The more emissions that enter our atmosphere, the greater the buildup that remains, which results in a higher surface temperature. Human beings have a slightly less direct involvement with the causing of global warming, but our actions are no less important to take into consideration. The majority of human beings have played a rather detached role in the building up of emissions in our atmosphere. The cars that people drive require gasoline, which produce vapors that rise into the air. Numerous forests and parks have been demolished to make room for stores and factories; the absence of trees and plants means that less carbon dioxide is being absorbed and turned into oxygen (Weart), which is vital to the overall health of the environment. While many of the gases are naturally released into the air, the human race is to blame for the quantity of emissions currently building up in the atmosphere. Up until recent years, finite resources were being used up as if there were no end to their supplies. Electricity and gasoline, for example, are used on a regular basis (Weart) with little to no thought about the emissions that they release into the atmosphere. All the same, people still make sure that all of their cars are gassed up and every room in their house is well-lit. People continue to create factories and businesses that constantly release deadly gases, but no thought is ever put into the harm that these apparent necessities bring about. Effects of global warming The primary factor in global warming is the increasing of the surface temperature across the world (Archer, 2007). This single factor can start a chain reaction of negative implications on both the world and the human race. The first and foremost consequence of this warmer temperature is the melting of the ice caps and glaciers in the colder oceans, such as the Arctic. As the oceans begin to expand with the water from the ice caps and glaciers, the risk of flooding is increased as the fresh water spreads out to accommodate itself. As the oceans become bigger, the landmasses become smaller. Not only will the flooding cover the meager thirty percent of land this earth has, but many human lives can be taken as the waters rush ceaselessly. Furthermore, many plant and animal species risk being wiped out. Since the oceans make up seventy percent of the earth, very little land is considered to be safe during massive flooding such as this. The Inuit tribes of Alaska and Greenland have seen the devastation that warmer temperatures can cause to the ice caps and glaciers. As much of their homeland consists of ice, one of their communities has the chance of sliding completely into the ocean if the ice melts at a faster rate or if the melting is not stopped in general. Many of the homes closer to the shores have already seen an increase in the water levels since the shorelines have begun to shrink with the melting of the ice caps and glaciers. At this current rate of warming temperatures and melting ice, scientists have predicted that within the next fifty years, the Arctic can become completely iceless (Archer). Another consequence of global warming is the depletion of the world’s agriculture. In some places, it will be too hot for crops to grow; in other locations, it may become too cold for crops to thrive. When a location becomes too cold as a result of global warming, it is often referred to as global cooling. People all throughout the world rely on agriculture for a large portion of their food. Indeed, if global cooling were to effect Europe, barely one-tenth of the population would be able to be fed by the crops produced (Archer). In the places effected, hunger and starvation would increase; in the third world countries that rely solely on the production of crops, the amount of hunger-related deaths would rise. Unfortunately, the rest of the world will eventually see the same end unless other methods are discovered or created to increase crop production when the temperatures do not permit it. Finally, global warming brings with it the chance of bizarre and often dangerous weather patterns, some of which are being seen in the present day. Parts of the world that are used to intense heat are seeing unseasonably chilly temperatures and weather conditions, such as snow. In the land of the Inuits, a place that is normally too cold for storms, thunderstorms and rain have become a normal part of the weather forecast (Gore, 2007). These changes in the weather can prove to be fatal as many of these locations are not made to withstand the weather being thrown at them. The Inuits of Alaska depend on the colder temperatures and snow to keep their land intact. Likewise, snow has no business being in deserts that are used to constant, intense heat. Preventing global warming There is little evidence to suggest that global warming and its current effects on our world are reversible. Fortunately, scientists believe that people have all the needed methods and tools to slow down global warming long enough to find a solution to completely halt global warming and its damaging effects on the world and humanity (Houghton, 2009). These tools and methods are not only easy to come by, but they are easy and almost effortlessly able to be implemented into everyday life. Conserving energy is the most vital solution in the current battle against global warming. All of the energy being used in everyday life is being released into the atmosphere, and then being sent back to earth as unwanted warmer temperatures. By turning off and unplugging appliances and electronics when possible, less energy will be used. Also, by resorting to other methods of transportation, such as walking, riding a bike, or even just carpooling, fewer gas emissions will be released into the atmosphere (Houghton). Another method to preventing global warming is to become more dependent on renewable energy resources and less dependent on the finite resources. Trading gas-powered cars for electric-powered or hybrid cars will lessen the dependency on gasoline, which is both finite and dangerous to the atmosphere. Using wind or solar energy to create electricity will allow people to become less reliant on power plants. Hydroelectricity, which is electricity generated by flowing or falling water (Gore), is another tried and true method for obtaining electricity. The current resources being used to create electricity and other power will cease to exist in the future; they are also behind the reason that the earth’s future is so grim. By placing more dependency on renewable resources, the world will be saved from further damage and people will still be able to get the electricity and power that they need. A final method involves planting more trees or, where possible, complete forests. In the process of photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide from its surroundings, turns it into oxygen, and then releases it back into the air (Archer). The oxygen will help to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere, which scientists believe has the ability to turn around the current state of global warming. Too many forests are being cut down for the sake of stores and factories, which is leaving the environment vulnerable to the many negative implications of global warming. The more oxygen in the atmosphere simply means there will be less carbon dioxide, which is exactly what the world needs. Conclusion Global warming has been an ongoing concern for many centuries, being traced by scientists and researchers since the 1800s. Centuries later, global warming is better understood, bringing forth the knowledge that it is caused by the releasing of gas emissions into the atmosphere. As these emissions build up, the temperature increases and the earth and its people experience the results. Global warming causes ice caps and glaciers to melt, which can lead to widespread flooding; a reduction of agriculture, which can increase the amount of hunger-related deaths; and unusual weather patterns, putting strain on locations and people that are not used to these weather patterns. Fortunately, by conserving energy, becoming less dependent on finite resources, and planting more trees to encourage oxygen creation, people stand a chance at bettering the state of global warming. Unlike any other time in history, people in this day and age are fully aware of what global warming is capable of doing. As such, they are taking the proper steps to making the world a safer, healthier place. Laws are being passed that make it difficult to purchase high-energy televisions and other electronics, and more automobile companies are producing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly. Schools and businesses are taking it upon themselves to install wind turbines or solar panels to obtain their energy while lecturing on the importance of others to do the same. It is hopeful that the future of this topic involves how the efforts of the human race are reversing the damage that global warming has caused. The information that I took in during the process of preparing this report is vast and compelling. Global warming has always been a topic that hit close to home, but gathering and understanding the information that I did made me realize just how vital it is for people to literally clean up their act. The ramifications of global warming are horrific, yet it does not take much to prevent further consequences. References Archer, D. (2007). Global warming: Understanding the forecast. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publications, 32. Gore, A. (2007). An inconvenient truth: The crisis of global warming. New York, NY: Viking Press, 66. Houghton, J.T. (2009). Global warming. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 94. Weart, S.R. (2008). The discovery of global warming. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 29. Read More