Global Warming Overvirew - Research Paper Example

Introduction Global warming can be defined as the increase in global temperatures that include earth surface temperature, ocean temperature and theatmospheric temperature since 1950 and their projected increase. The mean temperature globally has risen with an average of 0.80C since the beginning of the twentieth century where two thirds of that rise happened from the early 1980’s. This increase in temperature has been largely caused by increased emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which is produced by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and decrease in the global forest cover. This paper will look into detail the subject of global warming in regard to the causes, effects, the trend of the earth’s temperature, responses to the problem of global warming and the views that various stakeholders have on global warming. Trends in global warming The mean temperature of the earth’s surface rose by about 0.74 degrees Celsius between 1906 and 2005, most of the rise in temperature occurred in the last half of that time which was almost double of the rise in the first half. In the 1000 years prior to 1850, temperatures were relatively stable according to climate proxies with few significant variations such as the medieval warm era and the modest ice age. Global warming has been consistent according to the data recorded by temperature measuring instruments and which is consistent with other observations such as rise in the sea levels due to expansion of water when heated (Miller, 34). Melting of snow and ice, increased heat levels in oceans, increase in the levels of humidity and the appearance of spring season earlier than it ought to appear are other observable changes that point to global warming. Data estimates from the national climatic data centre and the world metrological organization (WMO) show that the warmest years ever recorded in the world are 2005 and 2010, with temperatures estimated to have increased by 0.52 degree Celsius and 0.53 degree Celsius respectively, while all the years since 1986 have had temperature above the 1961-1990 average. Temperatures in 1998, which was one of the warmest years to have ever been experienced can be attributed to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which was the largest El Niño that had been experienced for the past one century. In 2010 the trend was also the same with the high temperatures experienced in that year due to the El Nino in that year, however the temperatures reduced in 2011 since it was a La Nina year. These fluctuations in temperatures are sometimes covered by periods of relative stability such as the years between 2002 and 2009. The fluctuations in temperatures due to global warming differ widely across the planet and in different surfaces. Land surface warming twice as fast as the oceans (0.25 degrees Celsius for land compared to 0.13 degrees Celsius for oceans). This difference in change of temperatures can be attributed to the fact that oceans have a higher effective heat capacity and they lose more heat through evaporation than land surface. The northern hemisphere experience higher temperatures than the southern hemisphere due to the meridional heat transfer in the ocean that is higher in the northern hemisphere, and the albedo difference in the Polar Regions. Causes of global warming One of the major causes of global warming is the greenhouse gases through greenhouse effect, which is the process by which emission and absorption of infrared radiations by gases warm the earth’s lower atmosphere and surface. The naturally occurring greenhouse gases warm the earth by about 33 degrees Celsius and they include water vapour, which is responsible for 36-70% of greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide that is responsible for 9-26% of greenhouse effect, methane responsible for 4-9% of greenhouse effect and ozone, which cause 3-7% of the greenhouse effect. Human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which has led to radioactive forcing of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, tropospheric ozone, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxides; data published shows that carbon dioxide and methane have increased by 36% and 148% respectively since 1750. Burning of fossil fuels has been the largest contributor to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with about 75% of the increase being attributed to it, the remaining 25% is attributable to deforestation (Maslin, 75). These green house gases increase the global heat levels by trapping the temperature within the atmospheric space from escaping in to space. Effects of global warming In the natural system, there has been widespread retreat of glaciers and decrease in arctic sea ice and the rise in the sea levels, in the future, it is projected that the melting of ice sheet will lead to rise in the sea levels (Lerner and Pierre, 86). In addition, it is expected that there will be greater warming of the land with the highest changes being experienced in the high northern latitudes and the least in the Southern ocean and parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, which would lead to decline in the Arctic sea ice (Archer, 68). The trends in precipitation are also expected to change with increased precipitation likely to be experienced in sub-polar latitudes and parts of equatorial regions, decreased precipitation will be experience in subtropical areas, in addition, frequency extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, droughts and flooding is likely to increase. Some effects that have been observed in ecosystems include the early start of the spring season and the poleward and upward shift in plant and animal ranges, in future, it is expected that mangroves, tundra and coral reef ecosystems will be the most affected by global warming. A large extent of effects on ecosystems is likely to be caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the high temperatures, which will lead to extinction of some flora and fauna species hence reduction in diversity. Global warming has also been proven to have an effect on the social systems, the greatest impact that it has on the social system is the food security and habitants. With the current trends in global warming, it is expected that production of maize will reduce by up to 30% in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 and rice by up to 10% in south Asia by 2080; this will reduce the global food security and increase the risk of malnutrition in the most prone regions. Due to increase in sea levels, low-lying islands such as the Maldives and Tuvalu are likely to be submerged while countries such as Bangladesh are more likely to lose part of their land leading to homelessness. Measures to curb global warming Most of these measures are directed at attempts to mitigate the effect it has on the environment and adaptation measures to decrease the impact of those effects. Mitigation of global warming will include measures to reduce the levels of carbon emission into the atmosphere and enhancing natural sinks that will absorb the greenhouse gases. Reduction in the levels of carbon emission can be achieved through energy conservation, adoption of renewable sources of energy to meet power demands and increased efficiency in energy consumption. In addition, in order to increase natural sinks to reduce the level of carbon emission in the atmosphere adoption of reforestation would be helpful. Adaptation to global warming would be to reduce the negative effects and take advantage of opportunities caused by global warming Opinions on global warming Different individuals and institution have differed on the subject of global warming, the causes, trends and effects. Some individuals have argued on whether the reported increase in the global average temperatures is within the normal climatic variations, is the increase in temperature as a result of human interference or natural forces and whether the increase may have been caused by errant measurements (Kininmonth, 78). Some scientists have also refuted the idea of global warming arguing that, in contrary, the world is heading towards the direction of global cooling. Countries have also differed on the way to reduce the effects of global warming, for instance, in the Kyoto protocol, where most of the country signed a treaty to reduce their carbon emissions. Some countries such as the United States of America declined to sign the treaty since they argued that the treaty excluded 80% of the population who contributed a significant amount of carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Conclusion Increase in the earth’s temperature, which has been consistent in the last century, has seen the global average temperatures reach the highest levels that have been experienced in the history of mankind, this has led to rise in sea levels, reduction in ice sheets and increased frequency of extreme weather conditions such as droughts, heat waves and flooding. These events caused by increase in temperatures will lead to extinction of species in addition to reduction of global food security and loss of habitants especially in low-lying land areas. To reduce the impact of climate change, countries have adopted measures to reduce carbon emission and improve the potential of the environment to absorb excess green house emissions. In addition, measures to ensure the planet capitalises on opportunities brought about by global warming and reduces its negative impact on the planet have also been put in place although not in large scale. Scientists have predicted that temperatures will continue to rise in the future therefore advised on the need to reduce emission of greenhouse gases as it may lead to global warming that exceeds the mitigation and adaptation capacity of the world. Works cited Archer, David. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print. Kininmonth, William. Climate Change: A Natural Hazard. Brentwood, Essex: Multi-Science Pub. Co, 2004. Print. Lerner, Adrienne W, and Pierre, C. St. Climate Change. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Print Maslin, Mark. Global Warming. Grantown-on-Spey: Colin Baxter, 2007. Print. Miller, Debra A. Global Warming. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Print. Read More