The Warning of Continual Warming Trend - Essay Example

Lecturer Global Warming Global warming, which is in essence the continual warming trend, has been broken down to climatic change which refers to the measurable effects of global warming. These measurable effects refer to shifts in major aspects of the climate that is rainfall, temperature, snow, and wind patterns. With this differentiation, global warming is identified as a long-term reference of the effects of these shifts in climatic conditions. Notably also, ocean currents are included as an aspect that facilitates the continual warming trend. This is because ocean currents affect some of the factors that define the climatic conditions, and it is for this reason that this essay focuses on the intricacies of global warming concerning causes, effects and interventions. Shifts in the major aspects of the climate have been monitored over time and include amount of energy produced by the sun, variations in the earth’s orbit, patterns of ocean circulations and wide-reaching disruptions caused by meteor impacts and volcano eruptions. These shifts have led to trapping of heat in the atmosphere of the earth causing destruction of the ozone layer and ecosystems. To some extent, these shifts that typically occur in extremity have resulted in migration to already populated areas. This in turn causes land degradation, as the population over relies on agriculture and uses trees as sources of energy. This also boosts the greenhouse effects, as carbon-rich soils are destroyed leading to a release of carbon into the atmosphere. Causes Cutting trees is a major contributor of global warming in that it is because of trees that a substantial amount of carbon dioxide in the environment is absorbed and in turn converted to oxygen. Academic studies have shown that trees in tropical zones absorb about 18% of all the carbon dioxide produced by human activities from burning fossil fuels. This exemplary study shows how global warming is directly related to cutting of trees, as without trees there is an increase in the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to an increase in temperature globally by creating a blanket that prevents the escape of heat. With this in mind, these trees ensure that there is a balance in the atmospheric temperature by moderating the amount of carbon dioxide available in the air (Richardson). In addition, cutting trees has severe consequences that contribute directly to global warming through a complex series of events. This is because cutting of trees, also known as deforestation is part of the reason why there is climate change through the effects of loss of moisture from the ground and trees and into the environment causing it to be dry. This change in the water cycle leads to desertification, in which case forests die without having to cut the trees in the forest, but trees cut elsewhere (Oak). This is to mean that there is more carbon dioxide than the remaining trees and forests can handle leading to a high buildup of carbon dioxide and increased temperatures. The above events relate to the mountains in that the high temperatures affect the mountains due to the presence of water stored on the ice caps as snow. The high temperatures melt the snowcaps leading to an increased rate of discharge in the water stored in the mountains causing the retention of water in then mountain to be low (Benniston 4). This works hand in hand with the forest found around mountains in that they act as water catchment areas, where cutting of trees accelerates global warming, and causes the flow of water from the icecaps to be a lot faster than how it should when there are trees to compensate for the high amount of carbon produced by human activities. Air pollution also has profound effects in the relationship between global warming and the influence air pollution on mountains and forests. This is because air pollution occurs in many ways that affect all living things, especially plants, where the trees found in forests are part. With this is in mind, pollution of the air emanating from carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and other toxic gases lead to the destruction of foliage found in trees. The destruction of foliage is a direct hit on the photosynthesis that plants have to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and leads to high temperatures again and meltdown of snowcaps and an increase in the water flow. Relating this to the quality of life involves the effects of global warming on overall life as global warming and the melting of snowcaps leads to an increase of water flow. As a result, there are likely to be floods affecting how people live and relate with one another, as they have to migrate to avoid the raging waters, as there is no control of the flow. In addition, they affect life in that there is disruption of water supply for those that rely on water from the mountains as a fast flow results in quick depletion translating to drought. Pollution and cutting of trees also translates to a severe depreciation of the environment meaning that there is not much to see and experience in terms of tourism. The above is the aesthetic components of life that face the impact of pollution and cutting of trees, as well as the effects that these have on the mountains and forests. This means that with the current level of pollution, there is not much to see as all the beautiful scenery is at threat due to high rates of pollution and a lack of appreciation for the role of trees in the environment. This is in relation to what should be conserved lest the world wake up one day to find that there are no more animals and parks to tour since they have all been cut down and turned into deserts. Other causes and contributing factors towards global warming have affected the ability of different ecosystems to convalesce due to speedy degradation, and these include pollution and population. Pollution is considered as the major cause of ozone layer depletion, as earlier mentioned, owing to the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), as they rise into the troposphere causing the depletion. These coupled with acid rain and smog has also led to air pollution. Industrial processes and automobiles are responsible for the release and as such governments have been asked to tax the companies for the emissions. In addition, a rise in population has led to a strain on natural resources as needs have increased. Increase in population goes hand in hand with urbanization, which is associated with adverse environmental effects due to high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Similarly, an increase in the population result in increased levels of pollution owing to significant amounts emissions to the atmosphere. In essence, the average amount of carbon dioxide produced increases as the population grows, which increases the global temperatures. Impacts The Polar Regions are regarded as key influences of the world’s climate and with the melting of the polar ice caps has been attributed to erratic weather patterns. This is especially so with the ever increasing rate of melting attributed to the environmental degradation. For years, scientists have had their eyes set on the world’s ice shields hoping to monitor changes with the advancements in technological systems. Global temperatures indicated a downward trend in the period from 1940 to 1970, but increased gradually in 1980s. This phenomenon can be attributed to the increase of the amount of sunlight that hits the snow and ice in these regions. As such, various reports have illustrated an accelerated rate of melting raising the sea levels at an alarming state. For instance, a survey done every September to ascertain the area covered by sea ice demonstrates an average decrease at a rate of 8.6% between the years of 1979 and 2007 (Thompson and Kuo 116).However, there was a significant loss of sea-ice placed at 24% in the 2007 alone. Various scientists have voiced concerns based on these and current findings that corroborate the eminent danger of melting ice caps and rising sea levels. Extrapolations of existing data suggest that thermal expansion and ice sheet changes will dominate the processes affecting the sea level (Ward 42). Similarly, areas that are marginally glaciated are most likely to be ice-free, which will eventually lead to the disappearance of the Polar Regions. Per Douglas et al, the ice sheet instability caused by melting and breaking away of huge ice peaks, contribute to an increased rate of global sea level (Douglas and Kearney 189). Consistent and persistent degradation of the environment, especially by emission of greenhouse gases has contributed enormously to the worldwide phenomenon of global warming. This is because these gases increase temperature of the atmosphere near the earth and its troposphere; resulting in corresponding changes in climatic conditions. Fundamentally, the dangers associated with global warming are erratic changes in the weather, which are experienced in extremity, causing persistent natural disasters and extinction of species. In essence, the continual warming trend has been broken down to climatic change, which refers to the measurable effects of global warming, and these measurable effects refer to shifts in major aspects of the climate that is rainfall, temperature, snow, and wind patterns. With this differentiation, global warming is identified as a long-term reference of the effects of these shifts in climatic conditions. Notably also, ocean currents are included as an aspect that facilitates the continual warming trend. Currently, environmental degradation is an issue that requires immediate action because of the escalating rate at which it has been occurring, making it hard for the ecosystem to convalesce. Pollution is considered as the major cause of ozone layer depletion owing to the release of chlorofluorocarbons that rise into the troposphere causing its depletion (Fahey and Hegglin 14). Industrial processes and automobiles are responsible for the release and as such, governments have been asked to tax the companies for the emissions. In addition, the destruction of tropical rainforests by logging industries has resulted in destruction of natural habitats of plants and animals, which increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The destruction of habitats interferes with photosynthetic organisms that are responsible for carbon-fixing cycle, which seeks to relieve the greenhouse effect. In addition, the rapid increase in population has led to a strain on natural resources as their demand rises resulting in corporate negligence with regard to the environment. Increase in population goes hand in hand with urbanization, which is associated with adverse environmental effects due to high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Similarly, with an increase in population there are significant amounts of emissions to the atmosphere resulting in higher levels of pollution. In essence, the average amount of carbon dioxide produced increases as the population grows, which increases the global temperatures Energy Interventions There are different types of fuel that fall under either fossil or renewable and each has its own distinct characteristics setting it apart from the other. Fossil fuels are those that emanate from changes in the atmosphere from the carboniferous era and entail gas, petroleum and natural gas, where they were formed from high pressure and drastic environmental changes. On the other hand, energy that can be renewed is that which originates from, materials that receive continued replenishment from nature and include sunlight, rain, tides, wind and geothermal heat. With this, each type of fuel has its own impact on the environment in relation to global warming, while other serve to reduce global warming by being renewable and producing zero emissions to destroy the environment, especially in relation to carbon dioxide. Fossil fuels that include coal, petroleum and natural gas have disadvantages that lie in their makeup, where they release too much heat and toxic gases when combusted such as carbon dioxide, which is a danger to the environment by causing global warming. In addition to this pollution, methods used to curb and control pollution around the globe consume much of the resources that are produced from the use of the fuels, which is a counteractive measure, economically. A major demerit of the use of fossil fuels is oil spills that occur from time to time in the extraction of petroleum from seabeds and leaks in oil tankers. Studies on the use of fossil fuels indicate that countries that apply fossil fuels increase carbon dioxide emissions as they seek to develop electricity, which leads to global warming (Hans-Holger 186). Renewable energy comprises wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower and biofuels, which are advantageous, but are little used in the world currently despite being the best form of alternative energy. Looking at these sources of energy reveals that they are easily renewed by the environment continually and are to at risk of running out at all. As such, wind, solar and water as sources of energy can never be depleted as the sun keeps shining meaning it is an eternal source of energy provided they are harnessed efficiently ("The 6 Primary Types of Renewable Energy”). Due to their ease of replenishment, they need little maintenance, as a onetime installation is enough with periodic checks to ensure that they are still in working order, and there are not many variables to negatively affect functionality. In addition, they are clean, which is the best part when compared to fossil fuels, as they do not produce carbon dioxide to pollute the environment to cause global warming. Factoring in their ease of use and maintenance, they are beneficial in that they can be installed in any place that suits the bill such as buildings for solar, hills for wind, and across rivers for hydro (Hicks Para. 4). This is in spite of renewable sources of power and energy being intermittent sources of energy meaning that they cannot be used on an industrial scale (Parker 28). Other interventions to ensure that global warming is taken care and reduced involve the use of legislation, which is in relation to economic development. Governments in areas that are vulnerable to environmental degradation have a greater task at combating its harmful effects. These areas include those whose populations rely on agriculture as source of livelihood. Other sources of income should be availed to them in order to reduce strain on natural resources; where governments could consider providing access to factors of production other than land. In addition, education on vulnerabilities to diseases made prevalent by climatic changes attributed to global warming (“Combating Environmental Degradation”). In conclusion, global warming presents a huge challenge owing to its nature concerning what causes it and how to affects the environment, and more so the human environment and aesthetic values. This way, there have been conscious efforts to counter global warming through energy source evaluation and CFC cutbacks, as well as governmental intervention based on raising awareness. In addition, energy evaluations may have proved to be unsustainable in spite of some renewable sources of energy being clean. Consequences have been far-fetching going up to the polar ice caps and bringing about climate change, which are all attributed to global warming showing the gravity of the issue. Works Cited Ward, Bud. Reporting on climate change: understanding the science. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Law Institute, 2003. Print. Richardson, Jake. "Congressman: Cut Trees to Reduce Global Warming | Care2 Healthy Living." Care2 - largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare.. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2013. Oak, Manali. "Global Warming and Deforestation." Buzzle. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2013. Benniston, Martin. "The Effects of Global Warming on Mountains." Climatic Change In Mountain Regions. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2013. Thompson, Lonnie G., and Gioietta Kuo. "Climate Change: The Evidence And Our Options." World Future Review (World Future Society) 4.2 (2012): 114-122.  Douglas, Bruce, and Michael S. Kearney.Sea Level Rise History and Consequences.. San Diego: Academic Press [Imprint], 2000. Print. Fahey, David. & Hegglin, Michael. Twenty Questions and answers about the ozone Layer: 2010 update. 2010. Web. 24 July 2013. Hans-Holger Rogner, Deepak Sharma, and Irej Jalal Ahmed. "Nuclear Power Versus Fossil-Fuel Power with CO2 Capture and Storage: A Comparative Analysis." International Journal of Energy Sector Management 2.2 (2008): 181-96. "The 6 Primary Types of Renewable Energy." Renewables Guide RSS. Renewables Guide, 08 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 July 2013. Parker, Harry W. "Renewables Not Adaptable to Large-Scale Installations." Oil & Gas Journal Mar 16 2009: 24, 26, 28-30. “Combating Environmental Degradation”. IFAD. n.d .Web. 24 July 2013. Read More