Global Warming: Atmospheric Emissions Inventories - Assignment Example

of the of the Global Warming Introduction The increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans and landmasses of the earth is known as Global Warming. The main cause for this warming has been attributed to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, which release into the atmosphere carbon dioxide and other substances that are collectively known as greenhouse gases. As the density of these gases increases in the atmosphere, it becomes a better thermal insulator and retains more and more of the sun’s heat. It has been predicted by scientists that the Earth’s temperature will increase 1.4 - 5.80C by the year 2100. The main culprit for this effect has been identified as the increasing amounts of certain gases emitted by fossil fuel burning and other such human activities. (Hart, Global Warming). The Greenhouse Effect There are several ways in which solar radiation interacts with the surface of the earth. A part of this energy is reflected back into space by the earths atmosphere, another part is dispersed by the atmospheric molecules and a large portion reaches the surface of the earth. This latter part of the radiation is mostly absorbed resulting in an increase of the surface temperature. Most of this energy is gradually radiated away as heat and during this process a portion of this energy escapes into space. However, most of this energy is reflected back to the earths surface by the atmosphere. The components of the atmosphere that result in this reflection are known as greenhouse gases and these are water, nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. Without this effect most of the life forms on earth would not have existed, because the surface temperature of the earth would have been lower by 60°F (The Greenhouse Effect). Carbon dioxide results from the consumption of fossil fuels and forests are major contributors to these greenhouse gases. However, it is man who is the main cause for an increase in greenhouse gases like CFCs, methane, nitrous oxide and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere. The uncontrolled and vast increases in the population during the last few centuries and the industrial revolution have resulted in this phenomenon. Nearly 80% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is due to fossil fuel burning and consumption of petroleum products, which has increase enormously due to the escalating use of cars and other types of motorized transport vehicles instead of vehicles drawn by animals (The Effects of Global Warming). Emissions of Carbon Dioxide The carbon content of the atmosphere was more or less constant for nearly 10,000 years, but all that changed with the advent of the industrial revolution. As of 1992, the total carbon content in the atmosphere showed an increase from 600 to 760 billion tons. At present the increase in the carbon content of the atmosphere is nearly 7 billion tons per annum. The main anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide has been identified as the combustion of fossil fuels (Pacyna and Graedel: 277).   Emissions of Methane Methane constitutes an important greenhouse gas and its sources are not only many but are also widespread geographically. It is estimated that it accounts for 19% of the green house effect. It concentration in the atmosphere has doubled since the Industrial Revolution and it is responsible to the extent of “15 percent of the anthropogenic increase in global temperature” (Uzawa, 2003). Emissions of Nitrous Oxide There are several anthropogenic sources of nitrous oxide; some of these are fertilizer fields, animal excreta, “fossil fuel combustion, trash incineration, traffic and some industrial activities.” The major contributor is agriculture at 85% and industrial processes account for another 5%, this is as of 1995. Most of this Nitrous Oxide comes from East Asia and Latin America, whose contribution is around 15% each. Due to the adoption of better technologies and equipment there has been a gradual decrease in the emission of this gas. Nevertheless, the variation in the emissions of this gas shows considerable variation (Berdowski, et al: 57). Emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Other Halocarbons CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons are used in air-conditioning, as aerosol propellants, as refrigerants, as solvents, etc. A sub class called Halons is used to put out fires. As a result of the Montreal Protocol there has been a reduction in the use of CFCs has been declining in the past and it is expected that their production will completely cease in a few years time (Pacyna and Graedel: 280).  Effects of Global Warming Weather Global warming has several terrifying consequences; it renders hurricanes more destructive and intense. There has been an increase in the Atlantic tropical water temperature by about a half degree Fahrenheit during the past 20 years. Although this rise in temperature does not directly affect the destructive force of the hurricanes, nevertheless it is suspected to have increased their intensity (Moran, 2001). Further, carbon dioxide from the burning fossil fuels has made the ocean waters more acidic. This could obstruct the development of coral colonies and endanger undersea life. The result would be that the coral would become frail and their growth would slow down. This could prove disastrous to the coral reefs since the coral would be unable to rebuild them. The prediction of the scientists is that nearly 60 percent of the world’s coral will be dead by the year 2030 due to the rising temperatures and pollution levels. The major reason for the increase in the temperature of the sea is the increase in levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (Probasco, 2006). The growth rate of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since 1958 has been determined to be 0.6 ppmv per year. Studies carried out by researchers in respect of air bubbles in the ice plates in Greenland and Antarctic region in order to determine the concentration of carbon dioxide have revealed that between 1000 and 1800 the CO2 concentration was on and average 280 ppmv and that the variation was a mere 10 ppmv around this mean. Such ice core studies in the Antarctica have determined CO2 concentrations as far back as 220,000 years before present (yrBP). A strong correlation has been established between CO2 concentrations and polar temperature over this entire period. The present CO2 concentrations are significantly greater than what they have been any time in the last 220,000 years (Jouzel: 408). Agriculture An important discovery made has been that crop production will decline in developing countries, while increasing in the developed countries. It has been estimated that the production of cereals in the developing countries will come down by 9 to 11 percent by the year 2060 in comparison to the production in the absence of climatic change. However, the production of cereals in the developed countries is expected to increase by 11 percent in the same period. On the whole there will be a reduction of 1 to 8 percent in the global production of cereals and this could result in an increase in the number of people who would have to go hungry (Lashof: 5 (1993)). Human Health Human health is mainly dependant on local climatic conditions. A sharp rise in the temperature can result in an increase in the human death rate. The reason for this is that the balance of the ecological system is directly affected by increase of temperature. Increase in temperature causes infective parasites to, which cause dangerous diseases to proliferate. Moreover, the pollution in air and water increases due to increase in temperature. Human health is significantly affected by “social, political, economic, environmental and technological factors, including urbanization, affluence, scientific developments, individual behavior and individual vulnerability (e.g., genetic makeup, nutritional status, emotional well-being, age, gender and economic status).” The effect on human health due to these changes varies by region, extent and duration of exposure, ability to adapt or cope with the change, etc (Health, 2006). Such climatic change increases the risk posed by infectious diseases, whose vectors are mosquitoes and other insects and some of these diseases are malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis. Due to such climactic changes animals are forced to migrate towards northern regions or to higher altitudes. In a study conducted by Camille Parmesan of the University of California at Santa Barbara, it was found that one particular species of butterfly called Edith’s Checkerspot had relocated itself to higher and cooler elevations (Moore: 22). Moreover, marine life cannot withstand such changes in the temperature of the water and this may result in either their redistribution or extinction (Moore: 24). Fresh water fish like salmon, trout, etc. entirely depend on cold water. For instance a slight increase of 5° F in the average water temperature could destroy many trout populations (Rauber: 38). Solutions In Kyoto, Japan, 161 nations agreed on the 11th of December, 1997 to take such steps as would stop the looming global calamity by requiring thirty nine industrial nations to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases to 5.2% below the 1990 level. Further, the developing countries were required to set voluntary limits (Miller: 481). Afforestation brings about a reduction in global warming due to absorption of carbon dioxide by the trees. This makes it imperative to safeguard the existing forests all over the world and plant more trees. Further, alternative sources of energy, like solar power, wind power, etc, which do not involve the production of green house gases have to be made more efficient and used. Some human activities may help offset global warming. For example, scientists estimate the increased presence of atmospheric aerosols have offset global warming due to greenhouse gases by as much as 40 percent. Burning fossil fuels release greenhouse gases and sulfur dioxide, which combines with oxygen to form sulfate aerosol particles that reflect sunlight. Aerosols last in the air from a few days to a few weeks, but greenhouse gases last from years to decades. NASA’s Missions to Study Climate Change It has been universally accepted that more research has to be conducted on global warming. Consequently, NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise conducts several projects that monitor and analyze climate change. NASA has launched a number of Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite missions that collect terrestrial and solar data relevant to climate change (Weier, 2002). Conclusion Global warming produces unpredictable weather because warmer atmospheric conditions increase evaporation of the oceanic water leading to more rainfall. This may result in greater exchange of energy and some regions could suffer from droughts while other regions could suffer more frequent and violent thunder storms. This could affect the economies of the developing countries. Moreover, these rapid changes do not permit humans to adjust. The food production will reduce causing food shortages and increased flooding of coastal areas will cause and increase in the number of deaths among people living in the coastal areas. The Kyoto agreement endeavours to meet these challenges and is a much needed initiative to bring about cooperation between the nations to fight global warming. However, many more such agreements are required in order to reduce the emission of these green house gases (Victor: 111). Works cited Berdowski, Jan (EDT). Berdowski, Robert (EDT). Giuchert, BertJan Heij. (2001). The Climate System. Taylor francis (UK). ISBN: 9058092550. p. 57 Graedel, T.E. and Pacyna, J.M., “Atmospheric Emissions Inventories: Status and Prospects,” Annual Review Energy Environmental, 1995, 20:265-300. Hart, John. "Global Warming." Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Health. October 19, 2006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 27 October 2006. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/health.html Jouzel, J, et al. 1993.  “Extending the Vostok Ice-core record of palaeoclimate to the penultimate glacial period.”  Nature 364:407-412. Kevin Moran, May 31, 2001, Warming climates will cause fiercer hurricanes, expert says, 27 Oct 2006. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/storm2001/877847.html Lashof, Daniel A., “The Risks of Global Warming,” October 6, 1993, The Electricity Journal. Mat Probasco, October 25, 2006. Acidity, heat hindering coral growth, 27 Oct 2006. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4288563.html Moore, Curtis A., “Warming up to hot new evidence.” Vol. 27, International Wildlife, 1-11-1997, p. 24-27. Rauber, Paul, “Heat wave: If we Continue to Ignore the Danger Signs, The World of the Future will Be a Hotter, Poorer, Deadlier Place; Here’s What it Might Look Like. (Global Warming),” Vol. 82, Sierra, 9-19-1997, pp. 34(8). The Effects of Global Warming. 27 Oct. 2006. http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1848/global.html The Greenhouse Effect. 2006. Woods Hole Research Center. 27 Oct. 2006 http://www.whrc.org/resources/online_publications/warming_earth/the_greenhouse_effect.htm Miller, George Tyler. 2005. Living in the Environment. Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 0534997295. p. 481 Uzawa, Hirofumi. (2003). Economic Theory and Global Warming. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, England. P. 15. Victor, David G. 2001. The Collapse of the Kyoto Protocol and the Struggle to Slow Global Warming. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ. P. 111 Weier, John (April 8, 2002). Global Warming. Retrieved on October 29, 2006 from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/GlobalWarming/printall.php Read More