Ethical Issues Associated with Global Warming - Essay Example

Global Warming Ethics The term global warming refers towards the rapid increase in the temperature of the Earth. This rise in temperature can be caused by numerous activities. The reasons might be individual or institutional based but in both cases, they are very harmful and injurious to health as they are ruining the natural atmosphere of the planet Earth. For living organisms, this natural atmosphere is very necessary because there are certain conditions, which must be present for the survival of the human beings and other living organisms. If these conditions are destroyed due to any activity then it means the danger of death for those living organisms is increased now. Therefore being a human being or being a responsible citizen, it is our social, ethical and moral duty to take care of our natural environmental conditions and thus avoiding any such harmful activity, which actually damages the atmosphere. In this way we can fulfill our duty towards our nation. There is a list of human activities, which are the real cause behind this global warming issue. This might include an excessive emission of injurious gases or we can say green house gases into the atmosphere. The main constituent of such harmful gas mixture is the carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide actually gathers in the nearest layer of the atmosphere and then trap or capture maximum of the heat of the earth in this nearest layer. Thus causing a rise in the overall temperature of the Earth (West, 2012). One of the main reasons of the emission of these greenhouse gases is the burning of fossils whereas the other way of emission is the deforestation that means the excessive cutting of trees. There should be awareness programs regarding the deforestation in many areas where there is an excess of tree and plants. People are cutting the wood for manufacturing of many other items and products but they are not aware of the harmful effects of the cutting of the plants and trees. Many authors argue that individuals and institutes, both are fully responsible for environmental conservation and thus causing pollution (Fahlquist 2008: Almassi, 2010). Many other scientists argue that it may be possible that only human activities are not responsible for this global warming effect (Wang & Chameides, 2000). They are of the opinion that Earth’s temperature is very much changeable or we can say fluctuating since after its formation after the Big Bang. Therefore, the scientists predict that the increase in the Earth temperature is because of particular changing nature or fluctuations. These fluctuations are natural phenomena and thus we cannot name it to any human or even institutional activity. Though it is also a fact that the Earth temperature is not a constant measure for whole life, it is also scientifically proved that this temperature is rising after sometime. Still people do not support this idea that global warming is caused by the fluctuations in the Earth’s natural temperature change. Many scientists have put forth their best efforts in order to find out the real cause behind the global warming and the adverse climate changes. Apart from some scientists who are of the opinion that the rise in the temperature of the planet Earth is a natural and routine process of the universe, many others think that it is because of the emissions of the excessive carbon dioxide form the personal and institutional use of the machinery and many other things. At individual level, the emission can be form the energy usage in the vehicles and the home appliances etc. Whereas at institutional level we can say that, the emission of harmful gases is form big factories and industries. In order to reduce this, the factories should be placed at a distance from the populated areas so that it may not disturb any human being. This universe has to face very severe consequences of this global warming. The weather patterns are changing very much in most of the countries. There are huge rainfalls in many areas of world. These rainfalls cause floods, which in turn cause damages to the human life on the planet. There are many disadvantages of increased floods and rainfalls. All of this is caused only due to the climate changes. These global warming effects are also harmful for the living organisms on the Earth. There are many species on the planet, which are near to extinction because of the climate changes. In addition to that, wild life is also disturbed because of the global warming problems. In order to save their lives, we should have to take certain preventive steps. Another effect of global warming is the melting of ice blocks on glaciers. On the glaciers, ice is melting at a faster pace just because of the increased temperature of the whole planet Earth. These melted glaciers are falling into different seas according to their locations. Therefore the sea level is also going to rise to a dangerous level. This up lift in the sea level may create havoc for the coastal areas and other cities also. This may also increase the possibility of the storms like Hurricanes and the Tsunami etc. all of these are the severe predictions, which scientists expect from the increasing global warming. Global warming create an adverse impact on human health therefore ethically, morally and socially it is our responsibility to take steps in order to save the environment and thus taking preventive measures just for the sake of human beings and their precious health (Jamieson, 1997). There is a direct link between the human health and this global warming issue. The climate change is adversely affecting people health in a negative note. However, people themselves are responsible for this global warming but now they have to bear the consequences in the form of health problems. This nearest atmospheric shield is actually a protector for the life of all the individuals living on the Earth. In addition, the greenhouse effect or injurious gas emissions are destructing this protective layer in a bad manner. There can be many ways and methods, which we can adopt in order to take a part for the protection of our own planet Earth. One of the main reasons of global warming is the burning fossil fuels. We can reduce the emission of dangerous gases from these fossil fuels by carefully using these energy resources. Recycling of certain items and products can be the best option to conserve these resources. Companies should work deeply on the packaging of their products so that it can be reused after a proper recycling process. This recycling procedure can save a large amount of carbon dioxide, which can destroy the atmospheric protective sheet, after its release in the air. As a responsible citizen, it is also our responsibility to lessen the use of air conditioner and other cooling machines at our homes. There can be many other methods, which can be used in order to keep the places cool. These air conditioners also release a good amount of dangerous gases in the air and thus adding the pollution to the atmosphere. We should try to plant as many trees as possible in the surrounding areas so that they may also help to protect the environment. These trees may also help to keep the temperature at a lower degree so we may not require any air conditioner at that place, where trees are covering the building. The energy conservation should be the main focus of every individual. By taking part in this energy conservation, he or she actually take part in the environment protective measures. Moreover, the environment protection is surely an ethical and moral responsibility and the duty of every individual person living on the Earth. In this regard, we should reduce the vehicle use in our daily and routine activities. A lessen vehicle use will definitely reduce the amount of harmful gases which actually emit from these running vehicles. There can be a more useful option that instead of using a four-wheel vehicle, we can ride a bicycle or if possible then we can walk up to the destination. A walk will definitely keep us physically fit and healthy also. The use of a bicycle instead of a car will reduce the amount of emission of harmful gases. In this way, we can fulfill our moral and ethical duty towards our community. The state should pass official orders to reduce or ban the tree cutting in many woody areas where there is a large number of trees are present. Deforestation is the second biggest reason behind the global warming and the climate changes at a large scale. There should be a law and order situation for the protection of the trees. After the law making, there should be a proper check and balance on the implementation of all those official orders. The deforestation may also create soil erosion in many areas, which actually damages the whole farmlands, and thus damage the coming crops. Like many other discussions, the debate on ethical efforts to reduce global warming is also facing some counter arguments. There are many critics’ people who are arguing that the nations should not adopt any such environment or energy conservation policies and tricks just because this will affect the national economy of the country also. These people are of the opinion that at first the developed economies should follow all the possible procedures for the energy conservation. If the small nations would start the implementation of these policies before these giant economies then definitely the small nations would have to suffer a loss in economic terms. There is also a possibility that the climate change is occurring because of the continuous changes and fluctuations in the earth’s temperature. In this situation, there will be no benefit of adopting any preventive measures against this global warming issue. There is a need to grow more and more plants in the surrounding areas. These trees and plants actually consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen in the atmosphere. The emission of oxygen is very much useful for the living organisms on the Earth. The cutting of trees thus limits the ways for the consumption of the carbon dioxide gas, which is very much injurious to human health. In addition to deforestation, the animal farming is also dangerous. As a responsible institution, the animal farm holders should make a proper mechanism for handling the methane gas emission form the animals’ area. This gas can be reused or recycled for different purposes but for this action, the management of the institution should take steps at first. There are certain diseases, which are caused only because of these dangerous gases. Sometimes people may also face any disorder just because of the excessive amount of these harmful gases in the surrounding area. Therefore, it is the ethical responsibility for all of us to take preventive measures. At last, there should be a discussion on another dark side of these climate changes. That is the drought in some areas of the world. Many deserts are facing severe environmental conditions in their areas. These environmental conditions are caused only due to the less availability of the water and the increased level of the temperature. Africa is included in the list of those countries where the temperature is at its peak. There are certain mishaps in these areas also. The economy is not so much developed that they can even afford any preventive measure to lower down the temperature. In short words, it is now our moral duty to fulfill our duty either living in any part of the world. Reference List: Almassi, B. (2010) “Climate Change and the Ethics of the Individuals Emissions: A Response to Sinnot Armstrong”, International Postgraduate Journal of Philosophy, University of Washington USA. Fahlquist, J. N. (2008) “Moral Responsibility for Environmental Problems- Individual or institutional?” Agric Environ Ethics, page 1-16. Jamieson, D. (1997) “Global Responsibilities: Ethics, Public Health, and Global Environment Change”, Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, Volume 7, Issue 1, No 7, page 99-119. Wang, J., Chameides, B. (2000) “Global Warming Increasable Visible Effects”, Environmental Defense. West, L. (2012) “What causes Global Warming?” Environmental Issues, Retrieved 29 April 2014 from http://environment.about.com/od/faqglobalwarming/f/globalwarming.htm Read More