The Disquieting Effects of Global Warming - Research Paper Example

 Abstract The paper illustrates the environmental phenomenon called Global Warming. It throws light on the controversy surrounding it and the facts which ascertain its existence. The paper also discusses the causes and disturbing consequences of Global Warming, which have been proved through statistics and data. Lastly, it talks about the possible steps that can be taken to overcome this menace and save our planet earth. Global Warming Of all the anthropogenic environmental disasters Earth has ever witnessed, Global Warming guarantees to be the most perilous one. Global warming refers to the rise (both existing and projected) in the average global temperature of earth’s atmosphere and the oceans. This climate change is believed to have dramatic effects on several atmospheric events. Studies conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) conclude that the mean global temperature near the earth’s surface experienced an increase of 0.74 + 0.18 degrees Celsius during a period of 100 years from 1905 to 2005. The IPCC has also projected that he global temperature will experience a further increase of 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius through the twenty-first century. (2007) Owing to the rather obscure nature of changes taking place in the atmosphere, this phenomenon remains surrounded by controversy. A portion of the masses refuses to accept the magnitude of global warming and proclaim that the phenomenon is caused by completely natural sources like solar variations and volcanic eruptions. But some very alarming facts stated later will assure everyone of the damaging implications global warming has had on our planet. Causes The IPCC blames the human race for a major part of global warming, “ most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas concentrations” Greenhouse gases are the gases presnt in the atmosphere even under normal conditions. These gases, which include (in order of their abundance) water vapour, carbon-di-oxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFC’s, are essential to bring about the Greenhouse effect. These gases capture the infrared radiations from the sun’s emission and retain it, thus warming the earth’s atmosphere. If it wasn’t for the greenhouse effect, the earth’s temperature would have been close to –19 degrees Celsius. But, in the recent times, excess of these greenhouse gases has enhanced the greenhouse effect, which has lead to excessive warming of the planet. Human activities like the industrial revolution, fossil fuel burning and deforestation have resulted in a dramatic rise in the concentration of these gases. The level of CO2, which was constant at 280 ppm for nearly 800 years till 1800 has suddenly risen to 378 ppm in 2000. (Hadley Centre, 2005) Effects of Global Warming Climate Change As mentioned earlier, the mean global temperature of the earth has increased during the past years. IPCC’s reports say that 11 of the past 12 years are among the twelve hottest years since 1800. (2007) Studies conducted by NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies declared 2005 to be the warmest year ever, even surpassing 1988, which was unusually warm because of the strongest El Nino (2006). The temperature records of the rural and urban areas of the United States Of America (IPCC, 2007) only vindicate that fact. The temperatures have recorded a constant increase. Studies conducted by the US Public Research Interest Group, the average temperature of Washington DC was 3 degrees F above normal. Glacial Retreat The retreat and disappearance of glaciers has accelerated at an alarming rate since 1980. According to Munich Re, the total surface area occupied by glaciers worldwide has decreased by nearly 50% (2007). Satellite pictures of the Greenland Glaciers show that they have retreated 7.2 km between 2001 and 2005 (Saarman, 2006) The melting of glaciers because of the increasing global temperatures leads to landslides, floods, overflow and an increase in the sea level. Some glaciers like the Himalayan glaciers are the source of the major rivers of this are including the Ganges, Indus, Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. These rivers are of strategic importance to their neighboring countries and the disappearing glaciers pose a threat to their very existence. In addition to the glaciers, ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland have also been diminishing. These ice sheets are exclusively home to a number of indigenous species like polar bears, which might face extinction. Sea Level Rise A significant rise in the average global temperature has lead to thermal expansion of water and melting glaciers, which has in turn lead to a rise in the sea level globally. An increase of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius leads to an increase of 15 to 95 cm in the sea level. (IPCC, 2001). Satellite pictures taken by Poseidon claim that the sea level is increasing at a rate of 3mm per year. The IPCC report says that the sea level could experience an increase of about 18 to 59 cm by the end of this century, which would be sufficient to flood large parts of South East Asia (2007). In the USA, Louisiana and Florida are at mortal risk as nearly half a million people here live at a distance of just 3 meters from the mean sea level. Apart from these major effects, Global Warming also causes Ocean Acidification. The excess of carbon-di-oxide produced due to industrial and human activities is absorbed by the oceans, making them increasingly acidic. This environmental menace threatens to wreck havoc by causing striking imbalances like stronger hurricanes, droughts and flash floods. Agriculture is another sorry victim of global warming. Solutions The disquieting effects of global warming have shocked the whole world. Probably, the most effective solution would be to accept and analyze the magnitude of this phenomenon. The other solutions to this problem are very elementary in nature. Some of them include- Use of renewable and conventional sources of energy, curtailing the use of fossil fuels and encouraging non-conventional and environment friendly resources. The developed and developing countries remain the major culprits of this environmental occurrence. A major overhaul in their economic and social policies is the need of the hour. Global Warming can be controlled only when we, the human beings stand up and fulfill our responsibilities as citizens of the Planet Earth. References Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) Retrieved 19 June 2008 from http://www.ipcc.com Hadley Center, Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect (2005) Hansen, James (2006) NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies, GISS Surface Temperature Analysis Retrieved 18 June 2008 from http://giss.data.nasa.gov Munich Re Group (2007) Retreat of the Glaciers Retrieved 20 June 2008 from http://currents.ucsc.edu/05-06/11-14/glacier.asp Saarman, Emily (2005) Rapidly accelerating glaciers may increase how fast the sea level rises Retrived 20 June 2008 from http://www.munichre.com/en/ts/geo_risks/climate_change_and_insurance/retreat_of_the_glaciers/default.aspx Read More