Causes and Consequences of Global Warming - Term Paper Example

Introduction Global warming represents serious problem in the modern world. It threatens the life in our planet, thus many researchers try to reveal the main reasons of it in order to find the possible ways to stop it. The reason of global warming is controversial issue. The main cause of debate is the role of humans in this process. It is very important to define if people and their activity represent the reason of global warming. In case the reasons are defined it will be possible to reduce negative influence and to control the situation. There is an opinion that greenhouse gases and their heating can cause warming. Scientists almost proved that more greenhouse gases appeared in the atmosphere after the industrial revolution and with the development of the technology. Heating effect is dangerous for human life, moreover global warming causes many other problems such as rising sea level, undesirable change of climate etc. The given paper will discuss the potential causes and consequences of global warming and try to find possible solutions. The change of temperature over the 1,000 years Actually, some scientists do not believe in global warming. Some people consider it to be a myth. In order to define if it is really a myth or a real phenomenon, it is important to implement scientific research. Moreover, according to some researchers, the global warming is a phenomenon that was not caused by industrial revolution as it was met before: “Global warming is not a 20th century phenomenon. It has, in fact, occurred in the past more than once, along with periods of extreme cold known as the ice ages. With so much written and reported about global warming, sometimes it's difficult to detect which is fact and which is just part of scientific scare tactics” (Fiset). There are indicators, which are used by scientists to control the climate shift, the main of them are temperature and sea levels. Researches made certain conclusions about the changes in temperature during the last 1,000 years. The 20th century is characterized by frustration of temperature. Between the1960-1970s the earth underwent the period of cooling, but still in general the average temperature increased. The temperature is increasing by 0.1-0.2 oC every ten years. “Keeping planetary warming below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would, it was thought, avoid such perils as catastrophic sea-level rise and searing droughts. Staying below two degrees C would require limiting the level of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 450 parts per million (ppm), up from today's 395 ppm and the preindustrial era's 280 ppm” (Carey). Greenhouse effect Actually, greenhouse effect has two different meanings: first is positive as it keeps the warm and appropriate climate, and the second is man-made, caused by burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum). It is namely the manmade greenhouse effect that is considered by the scientists to be the cause of global warming. When the fuels are burning they produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to greenhouse effect. For today the connection of global warming with the burning of fuels is almost proved as many investigations have been held. Water vapor greatly contributes to greenhouse effect but according to scientists, there is no straight connection of water vapor and human activity. Moreover, water vapor is not considered to be dangerous because this effect takes place only when clouds are in the sky. There are serious differences between carbon dioxide and water vapor effect. Natural greenhouse effect caused by water vapor does not cause the increase of average temperature in the planet in contrast to carbon dioxide that is always there and its concentration is increasing. The presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes the earth hotter. The consequences of global warming Global warming can lead to serious problems. Rising sea level will result in a great number of serious floods. These floods may wipe many cities off the face of the earth. Change of weather is another bad consequence of global warming as many countries may experience the weather that is really unusual for their climate zone. Now in some countries people meet some kinds of animals that theoretically can’t exist in that particular climate zone. Thus, everything could be mixed in the world due to global warming. Unusual weather can affect human health negatively. The number of meteo-dependent people is growing. The dangerous diseases also may be spread with some insects. “All of the scientific data and understanding now point to the critical situation we face: to slow future change we must start taking action soon. At the same time, because of our past and ongoing activities we must start to live with the likely consequences - more extreme weather, rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns, ecological and agricultural dislocations, the spread of human disease and declining economic health around the world. In the end, failure to solve the global warming problem is not an option” (Roberts). Possible Solutions If the connections of global warning and human activity can be considered proved, the next step is to find possible solutions. The situation is becoming more serious every day thus serious measures should be taken as soon as possible. The first question is if we really can control the situation. Certainly, there are no problems, which can’t be resolved and it is always possible to find the way out. Several steps can be taken in order to stop global warming. One of them prescribes the transition to renewable energy. That means that we should stop using oil, gas and coal. “The application of the new alternative energy and agriculture technologies of Quest Innovations Research will provide the solutions of global warming. The first is an alternative type perpetual electric device that will replace gasoline or diesel engines for transportation. With better transmissions and with more aerodynamic designs, and stronger yet lighter material for chassis will allow a totally non-fuel burning automobile and truck” (Roberts). The second solution is to use less electricity. The third and fourth possible ways out is to use recycling that will allow to consume less energy, and to plant more trees. The problem is if these steps are possible to be taken as modern world tends to increase manufacturing in order to benefit from technological achievements. New designs of cars, computers, mobile phones appear every day and electricity consumption and the use of fuel is not likely to reduce, on the contrary it is increasing. Thus, the second question is if we really want to control the situation. Conclusion It is already possible to state that global warming and human activity is closely connected. However, not all the people believe this fact maybe because they just do not want to believe it. If they accept this argument, they will have to take serious measures to stop the process, but this demands much efforts. If we decide to struggle with global warming seriously, we will have to refuse from many things that we got used to: electricity consumption and the use of fuels, coal and oil. This seems impossible for modern people and they consume more and more energy not even thinking about the consequences. They have a certain way of life they do not want to change. However, the threat is serious and it was proved by the scientists. Moreover, even if the steps are taken it will need much time for our atmosphere to recover. The changes in the way of life of modern people should be made to avoid more serious and negative changes in future. References Carey, John (n. d.) Is Global Warming Happening Faster Than Expected? Retrieved March 8 2013 from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=is-global-warming-happening-faster-than-expected Roberts, Rob (n. d.) "Causes, Effects and Solutions of the Global Warming Crisis" Retrieved March 8 2013 from http://www.bestglobalwarmingarticles.com/Article/effects-of-global-warming----Causes--Effects-and-Solutions-of-the-Global-Warming-Crisis-/3997 Fiset, Natalie (n. d.)"Facts about Global Warming You Should Know" Retrieved March 8 2013 from http://www.bestglobalwarmingarticles.com/Article/effects-of-global-warming----Facts-about-Global-Warming-You-Should-Know--/4117 Read More