Understanding Global Warming Issues - Essay Example

? Understanding Global warming issues - Larry Buenafe  - Dependence of Man on the Environment  Number - SCI 207  Name - Christina Luecke  Date - 18 July 2011 Global Warming Introduction: A number of researchers provide the example of the extremely cold weather recorded in the winter of 2003-2004 in the northeastern US. Basing their statement on this record they claim that the existence and prevalence of global warming is not convincing. On the other hand, independent analyses by different researchers and scientists reveal that the climate of earth has been showing increasingly warmer trends. In addition, the claim is criticized by the argument that undoubtedly, the weather was coldest as compared to the previous trend in that region; still it was not the coldest if an overall picture of Earth’s climate is considered (NCDC, Climate of 2004, 2004). The coldest region of the Northeastern US still did not break records of the previous record low temperatures which the region went through in the winters of 1986. Thus the claim made by the critics of global warming is not rational. (NCDC, Climate of 2004, 2004). On the other hand, the heat waves observed in Europe were record breaking of the highest temperatures ever experienced. Global Warming is affecting the temperature of the Earth and society needs to understand that we must act now to prevent the end of humanity. A divided hypothesis has been created regarding the effects of global warming and if global warming is a myth or a reality. This assignment would further revolve around this issue and give views as to which side of the scientists comes up with a strong hypothesis regarding global warming. DISCUSSION "All across the world, in every kind of environment and region known to man, increasingly dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it's here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster" (Barak Obama). There are two differing views about the existence and causes of Global Warming. One group usually links it to the actions committed by the human beings themselves (Matthew et al., 2009). However others strongly believe that nature plays a role in creating the problem of global warming (Abrahamson, 1989). The arguments presented by both groups carry importance and without any doubt, these arguments are leading to more and more researches which are beneficial for knowledge and new theories. The study of Earth and its climate is of immense importance and beyond any doubt the reason for such extreme climatic changes should be known. In order to evaluate the reasons behind the changing climate of the Earth, the studies regarding global warming and the arguments against it are helpful. Regardless of all the arguments presented, I believe that humans contribute to the climatic changes and extreme weather conditions. The increased CO2 levels and rising temperature do have a link. The link between greenhouse effect and global warming are valid as put down by one set of the researchers (Weitzman 2007). A study suggests that global warming affects the farmland values. The cropland model used by the author suggests that the warming climate and temperature results in a loss of 4 to 5 percent of the gross farm value (Mendelsohn et al., 1994). Cunningham and Cunningham suggest that reduction in soot produced by diesel engines, coal-fired generators, forest fires and wood stoves may help in curbing and decrease in the issue of global warming by nearly 40% within a period of 3-5 years (Cunningham & Cunningham 2010). Although the studies and climatic researches are not invalid and the continuous debate over this topic does carry an important place in the Earth’s study. According to my point of view, it is not valid to judge the climatic change just by examining or considering the weather patterns of a small region. Global warming does not talk about a particular region, city or country. It is an overall analysis of the Earth’s temperature. Hence, claims that are based on the study of a single region are invalid and must not be relied upon. The study of NCDC, however, clearly asserts against that claim by ranking the temperature for January 2004 as the 4th warmest on record (NCDC, Climate of 2004, 2004). This further disproves the claim of the other group. I also agree with the statement that carbon emissions are of the major cause of the problem of Global Warming. The factories which are using the fossil fuels during their manufacturing process are giving out a huge amount of carbon and this contributes greatly in making the climate warmer (CBO, 1990). The trees planted in the world are believed to be of paramount significance in preventing the issue of global warming to increase. In the process of the growth of a tree carbon dioxide is used. This carbon dioxide helps in the growth of the tree until its final stages of death and decomposition eventually. This decomposition on the other hand again causes the tree to release carbon dioxide in the environment. Deforestation is one important cause which increases the green house gases in this world. And one set of scientists believe that these green house gases have been causing an impounding effect on the temperature of this world. Deforestation can be counted as one of the important cause of global warming but it cannot be counted as the only one. Global warming is caused by many other substances and gases such as emissions from car, industrial reactions and burning of wood. Thus it can be said that global warming is reaching its alarming stages because of the activities carried out by the human beings themselves. It is said that the greenhouse gases which are released in the atmosphere are giving a way to the sunrays to be stored. According to Baliunas this leads the temperature of this world to increase by approximately 2 degrees (Cooper, 1996). The temperature which the green house gases tend to rise is so alarming that the glaciers in the world are reaching their melting level. For e.g. Clemmitt affirms that the Montana Glacier Park had a total of 150 glaciers in 1910. It is said that the green house gases do not pass the surfaces of the earth and stay in the troposphere of the earth. And basically these green house gases cause the troposphere to have an increase in temperature. The melting of glaciers and polar ice can have an effect on the whole structure of the world. The sea levels will be increased with the melting of the ice of these glaciers. And due to this many small islands could be wiped out from the map of this world. Wigley states that in the end of the century the level of the ocean can rise up to 39 inches and the temperature of this earth can rise by 7 Fahrenheit (Cooper, 2001). If such a situation occurs coastal flooding would get common throughout the world. Due to this many coastal hazards have occurred in South Louisiana and Florida. It is not only limited to coastal hazards as the rising sea levels have a direct effect on the forests also. Clemmitt discovered that the sea levels in the country of Bermuda have caused many Mangrove forests to die. This has leaded the issue of Global Warming to rise. It has created an atmospheric belt over the whole world which scatters the heat given off by the sun. This scattering is the cause of the increasing temperature throughout the world. The climatic conditions prevailing in the world can be term as ‘in stabilized’. This unstable climatic condition throughout the world has sparked out new diseases. The floods caused by global warming can lead to an increase in the disease of malaria. The harming effect of the changing climatic conditions in the world can be clearly evidenced by the increasing number of floods throughout the world. In 1998 the number of countries which received flood was 55 (Bhargava, 2004). The heat waves throughout the world have increased since the 1950s and have killed a billion people. In 2003 a heat wave that hit Europe killed around 35000 people. Similarly coral reefs form an important part of the environment but recently they also have been affected by the climatic conditions. In March 2006 it was found that a whole colony of Caribbean corals was lost. Arguments against the existence of global warming are given by the opponents of global warming who consider global warming as a myth. They state the fact that the Earth has been showing a warming trend over the past century. This argument also denies the possibility of CO2 as a reason of global warming. The temperature reconstruction direct towards the period which is known for the warm weather. That period is often called as medieval warm period which shows higher temperature patterns than 20th century. They also argue that these facts show the natural reasons behind such warm weather and changing temperatures. These are natural cycles of changing weather and humans do not contribute in it (Hoggan & LittleMore 2009). Moreover, this group of thinkers believes that the warming trend is not unusual and is a normal cycle of weather changes which occur naturally. Their claim about the Earth’s climate is clear. They believe that the Earth’s climate is not affected by humans’ actions, preventions and suspension of any act. It is free of our activities and temperature swings occur naturally. A study in this regard reveals that the Earth has a planetary ‘iris’, which consists of tropical cloud cover. This cloud cover spreads out and contracts to control the quantity of heat exhibited from the surface of the Earth. (Lindzen et al., 2001). On the contrary however it is said by the supporters of global warming that medieval warm period was not researched properly and the research contains flaws. They also argue that there is no validity of the claims that the recent extreme conditions, including heat waves, intense precipitation, massive forest fires and worldwide coral bleaching, in the Earth’s environment are the result of changing climate. These are invalid, unrealistic and self created myths which are not validly proven so far. In addition, they argue that the CO2 emitted by the activities of humans is not comparable to the natural resources that are available to eliminate the threat of the ’non-existing’ global warming. The natural resources that the Earth acquires are greater than the Carbon Dioxide emitted hence, none of the human activities can be held liable for the massive increase in CO2 over the course of last few centuries. The cause of the warming temperature has been disclosed by this group as a natural phenomenon. They debate over the solar variability, cosmic rays, recovery from ice age and so on (Leroux 2006). This group also denies the claim that the warming is caused by greenhouse gases. The fact that they present in this regard is that warming does not follow the trend of greenhouse gases concentration. This group also asserts that the increased warming detected around the world for the past century is the effect of increased urbanization. This warming is also a result of other changes on the surface of the land including deforestation etc (Easton 2005). Moreover the opponents of global warming also have to say that the green house gases which tend to accumulate in the troposphere have not caused any major change in the temperature of the layer. This hypothesis is further backed up by the satellite data which measures the layers of the surfaces over the earth. (Christy et al. 2003) Conclusion The proponents and opponents of global warming present with convincing statements regarding their stance. However the opponents of global warming do not straighten up with their facts and manipulate or interpret the researches. The medieval warm period as put down by the opponents of the global warming is not a strong base for their opposition of global warming. Even if the medieval warm period was a period in which the earth was warmer than what it is now it does not prove anything regarding the green house gases and global warming. It does not tell if the green house gases have an effect on global warming and if global warming does or does not affect the temperature of this world. Moreover the studies regarding the satellite data have also been connected by the proponents of global warming. This satellite data is actually not specific when it comes to detecting the temperature changes of the troposphere (Fu et al 2004). In my opinion the opponents of global warming have not yet come up with strong hypothesis of calling it a myth whereas the proponents have several researches which have been mentioned above and these researches in some way or the other prove that global warming is a reality. Bibliography: (2008). Global Warming in 21st Century Causes, Effects & Future. MD Pub Pvt Ltd. Abrahamson, D. E. (1989). The Challenge of global warming. Washington, D.C: Island Press. Bhargava, G. (2004). Global warming and climate changes: Transparency and accountability. Delhi: Isha Books. Christy, J.R., R.W. Spencer,W.B. Norris,W.D. Braswell, and D.E. Parker. 2003.Error estimates of version 5.0 of MSU-AMSU bulk atmospheric temperatures. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 20, 613–629. Cooper, M. H. (1996). Global warming. CQ researcher, v. 6, no. 41. Washington, D.C., CQ Press. http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996110100. Cooper, M. H. (2001). Global warming treaty. CQ researcher, v. 11, no. 3. Washington, D.C., CQ Press. http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2001012600. Cunningham, W. P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2009).Principles of environmental science: Inquiry & applications. New York: McGraw-Hill. Easton, T. A. (2005). Taking sides: Clashing views on controversial environmental issues. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. Fu, Q., C.M. Johanson, S.G.Warren, and D.J. Seidel. 2004. Contribution of stratospheric cooling to satellite-inferred tropospheric temperature trends. Nature, 429, 55–58. Hoggan, J., & Littlemore, R. D. (2009). Climate cover-up: The crusade to deny global warming. Vancouver: Greystone Books. Leroux, Marcel. Global Warming - Myth or Reality?: The Erring Ways of Climatology. Dordrecht: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG, 2006. . Lindzen, R., M.D. Chou and A.Y. Hou. 2001. Does the earth have an adaptive infrared iris? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 82(3), 417–432. Matthew, R. A. (2009). Global environmental change and human security. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Mendelsohn, R., Nordaus, W. D., & Daigee, S. (September 01, 1994). The impact of global warming on agriculture: A Ricardian analysis. American Economic Review, 84, 4, 753-771. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). 2004. Climate of 2003 in Historical Perspective, www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2003/ann/ann03.html#Major %20highlights National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). 2004. Climate of 2004: Climate Perspectives Reports, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2004/perspectives.html. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). 2004. Climate of 2004: Climate Perspectives Reports, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2004/perspectives.html. UNITED STATES. (1990). Carbon charges as a response to global warming: the effects of taxing fossil fuels. A CBO study. Washington, D.C., Congress of the U.S., Congressional Budget Office. Weitzman, M. L. (January 01, 2007). A Review of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change.Journal of Economic Literature, 45, 3, 703. Read More