Global Warming Mitigation Strategy and Solutions - Essay Example

?Global Warming Mitigation Strategy and Solutions Describing the Problem The International Panel on Climate Change (2007) refer to global warming as ‘the warming up of the Earth’s atmosphere, which can be identified by changes in surface and sea temperatures’. Thomas and Goudie (2000) indicate that this is due to increasing concentrations of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the earth’s atmosphere, which consequently leads to increases in the earth’s overall atmospheric temperatures, and hence; global warming. Kemp (2004) estimates that the earth’s surface temperature have increased by 0.3°c-0.6°c since 1900. The years 1995-2006 ranked amongst eleven of the twelve warmest years on record since climatic records began in 1850. The IPCC also estimates that by 2020, the earth’s temperatures will have risen by a further 0.2°c. Natural Causes/Contributions of Global Warming Earth’s Orbital Variation The Milankovitch Theory of climate change predicts that the Earth’s orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, which makes the earth closer to the sun at certain periods. This currently occurs in January, making northern hemisphere winters slightly milder than previous winters. With greater eccentricity the length of the Earth’s seasons varies, which can lead to the build up of ice sheets when there are cooler summers. Sun Spot Activity The sun is now believed to be its most active for 300 years (Kemp, 2004). In the past 120 years, 0.5°c rise in global temperatures occurred before 1940, which is earlier than the biggest rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released by humans. Further evidence comes from tree ring data in which 17 out of 19 of the warmest spells in the past 10,000 years coincided with peaks in solar activity (Goudie, 2000). Ocean Circulation Changes The Earth’s oceans cover around 70% of the Earth’s surface and absorb twice the amount of sun’s radiation as the atmosphere of the land surface (Jackson and Jackson, 1996). With their huge heat capacity, and means to move vast quantities of heat across the planet, they have a major effect on the earth’s temperatures, e.g. during an El Nino cycle, the west coast of South America experiences higher temperatures with greater rainfall due to the transportation of warm waters from the South Pacific replacing the usual up-welling of nutrient rich cooler waters (Thomas and Goudie, 2000). The North Atlantic Jet and Gulf Stream also has a major affect on the earth’s surface temperatures in North Europe, which transports warm heat from the Caribbean up to high latitudinal regions making temperatures artificially high for their latitudinal position. Human Causes/Contributions of Global Warming Burning of Fossil Fuels The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas releases anthropogenic emissions of GHG’s, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and halocarbons. These gases absorb some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth which would otherwise escape back into space. This creates the enhanced greenhouse effect, in which increased CO? levels (280ppm from pre industrial levels to 379pmm by 2005) have warmed global temperatures by around 0.5°c over the past century (IPCC, 2007) Deforestation The world’s forests have decreased by around 38% over the past century (Jackson and Jackson, 1996). This has led to increased levels of CO? in the earth’s atmosphere because there are not enough trees to absorb the additional carbon rates caused by increased human activity. Increased agriculture and livestock such as cows release significant amounts of methane, which contribute towards global warming. Levels of methane have doubled since pre-industrial times to 1.765 ppmv (Kemp, 2004). CFC’s CFC’s and other halocarbons released from refrigerators, insulating foams, aerosol spray cans and industrial plants all destroy the stratospheric ozone, and are a significant cause of global warming due to their higher concentration levels of greenhouse gases (Goudie, 2000). Positive and Negative Impact of Global Warming Positive Effect Negative Effect Cultivation – increased length and intensity of the growing season,, e.g. reducing the risk of frost at the beginning and end of the season. Also the expansion of agriculture to mid and high latitudes, where greatest warming is predicted, e.g. in Alaska, rises in temperatures would extend the growing season by around 3 weeks allowing crops such as carrots, peas and cabbages to grow. Desertification and lack of water resources – 30% of the earths surface is contains arid lands, and as global warming increases, shifts in the climatic belt will result in these arid places suffering from greater water shortages. Drought will also kill crops and reduce farmer’s yields. Likewise, other regions will experience increased flooding, which will damage infrastructure and lead to loss of life. Trade Routes – the melting of the Artic Ice Cap has provided new shipping lanes which have shortened trading routes between Alaska to Europe, making it cheaper to transport goods, and also beneficial to the environment due to less fuel needed Sea level rise – the IPCC (2007) found that since 1961, sea levels have risen by an average of 1.8mm per year. This threatens low lying South Pacific island communities. It will also lead to increased flooding New resources – the melting of permafrosts on the large Russian plains will increase the world’s supply of natural resources such as gases and oil. This could make energy prices cheaper, and increase economic activity Sea level temperature increase – increased sea temperatures of 0.3°c since 1969 have led to depletions in fish levels, and acidification of the world’s oceans, which has damaged the fishing industry. Evaluation of Current Strategies The Kyoto Protocol (1992) was in international treaty aimed to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at a level that would prevent dangerous temperature increases. It introduced trading permits, in which countries who managed to successfully curb their CO? emissions were allowed to sell their remaining emission permits to other countries unable to meet their own targets. However, Kemp (2004) notes that past experience of acid gas emission trading schemes suggests that benefits accrue only if the trading involves an offset ratio in which the buyer of the permit is not allowed the full emissions value of the permit. However, the Kyoto Protocol was embraced by most environmental groups as a step in the right direction. However, despite its legally binding targets, sanctions for failing to meet targets are weak, with little incentive for the offending nation to comply. Major countries such as the USA, the world’s leading producer of GHG’s also failed to sign the treaty. The treaty has also been criticized for limited developing countries industrialization and economic growth by imposing carbon limits on their industry, which keeps the West powerful, and represses developing countries from competing fairly on the global economic stage. Sustainability Plan for Global Warming Action Items Action Steps Timeline Research and identify causes of global warming, its effects on the environment, people, communities, agriculture and available mitigation strategies Review specialist environmental websites and journals such as the IPCC in order to build up information regarding global warming and how to mitigate it. Document the sources of global warming and video interviews of environmental researchers and facilitators to determine the environmental effects it has. First 3 months, but also ongoing thereafter if new information or mitigation strategies are developed. On a local level I will develop an education pamphlet for local communities to highlight the harmful effects of global warming and how they mitigate its impacts Post and e-mail pamphlets containing basic facts about global warming and how it directly concerns people’s everyday lives, e.g. food prices will increases due to less crops being harvested due to decreased water availability Develop and distribute as soon as I complete my initial global warming assessment (within 3months) I will present my report findings in a local town hall, which would have been heavily promoted though my pamphlet campaign. I’ll also record my presentation and upload it to youtube to reach a wider audience. Therefore people who can’t attend my initial town hall meeting can still view it and get involved. Presentation would contain a ‘checklist’ to demonstrate the ways people can reduce their impact on the environment; -encourage people to purchase energy saving lightbulbs, and turn their lights off - tell people to wash their cloths at 30°c (instead of 40°c and if they have a washing line, tell them to use that rather than a drier -reduce the use of spray deodorants and air fresheners which contain CFCs -encourage people to re-use, recycle and minimize the amount of waste they use, which will reduce the amount of waste in land fill sites and prevent the need for packaging, e.g. plastic bottles -encourage people to use public transport, cycle or walk short distances -encourage people to fly less because aircrafts emit large quantities of CO2 Conduct initial presentation 3 weeks after the pamphlet campaign in order to generate as much attention as possible Encourage the community to sign up to a community led climate change support group Creation of a website and point chart system would allow local residents to assess how sustainable they’ve been on a weekly basis. This will give people the chance to interact and share their experiences with others. Hopefully as the weeks go on, people’s scores would increase, meaning they’ve adopted more sustainable behaviours Implemented 3 months after initial research, and then an ongoing process every 2 weeks Benefits and Challenges of my Plan My plan aims to focus on reducing the local community’s contributions towards global warming. On the positive side, my plan aims to primarily create awareness concerning global warming, such as presenting how the earth’s temperatures have rapidly increased over the past century. Through providing means to participate, I hope to engage a wide audience who will be convinced that they too can make a difference. However, I’m also aware of potential challenges of my sustainability plan faces, such as the opposition of waste collection fines for households who produce more than 3 bags of trash per week. I would address this challenge by introducing a curbside recycling scheme, which would involve weekly collections to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites. I’d also highlight the many benefits of using less energy, such as cheaper utility bills, which would hopefully convince people to change small aspects of their lifestyles to make a big overall difference. Required Government, Societal and Global Support Whilst my sustainability plan aims to convince local residents to switch to more sustainable lifestyles in order to reduce their own carbon footprint, I also realize the major role governments and policy makers play in reducing global warming rates. The fact that global warming affects the whole planet also means an international approach is needed. Sector Required Approach Energy Increase efficiency of energy conservation Switch to low carbon fossil fuels Increase nuclear energy use Increase renewable energy, e.g. solar power, wind turbines Industry Reduce GHG emissions Reduce material content of goods, e.g. less packaging on food Introduce appropriate technology, e.g. low-carbon or renewable energy Transfer technology from developed to developing countries Recycle, reuse, minimize Transport Improve energy efficiency of vehicles Reduce vehicle emissions and improve performance Change land patterns and lifestyles to reduce transport requirements, e.g. cycle lanes, closer facilities to residential areas Integrate transport policies Encourage and promote public transport services Agriculture Develop new management techniques based on reduced tillage, recycling of crop residues, restoration of wasteland soils Improve efficiency of energy use Reduce biomass burning Manage fertilizer use to reduce nitrous oxide production Forestry Substitute fuelwood for fossil fuels Improve efficiency of energy use Reduce biomass burning Regenerate existing forests Create new forests Government Develop urban and industrial land use planning to minimize energy consumption Introduce recycling schemes to reduce carbon dioxide and methane production in waste dumps Introduce taxes for excessive energy use Incentives for reducing energy use, e.g. emission trading permits Sign up to international treaties to cut CO? emissions Conclusion In conclusion, the earth’s temperatures are expected to increase by a further 0.2°c over the next couple of decades due to increased CO? concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing towards the enhanced greenhouse effect. Global warming leads to flooding, desertification, water scarcity, sea level rise and the melting of ice caps. Effective international government policy is therefore needed to attempt to tackle global warming. So far, treaties like the Kyoto Protocol have had limited success, but nevertheless have highlighted the increasing belief that actions are needed. My sustainability plan aims to tackle these problems at a local level through community participation schemes and ‘small act, big difference’ campaigns, and at a global level through persuading governments, industry and agriculture to adopt sustainable practices. References Goudie, A (2000) The Human Impact on the Natural Environment. 5th Edition. Great Britain. MIT Press. International Panel on Climate Change 2007 Report. Available at http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf Jackson, A and Jackson, J (1996) Environmental Science. Singapore. Longman. Kemp, D (2002) Exploring Environmental Issues: An Integrated Approach. London: Routledge. Thomas, D and Goudie, A (2003) The Dictionary of Physical Geography. 3rd Edition. Cornwall, Blackwell Publishing. Read More