Global Warming Too Hot or Not - Assignment Example

Global Warming Too Hot or Not? Introduction Global Warming is one of the most serious challenges facing mankind across the earth today. The emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere, and cause the temperature to rise, by absorbing the heat radiated from the soil. The drought-affected regions are expected to increase in area, further depleting the water resources. Crops which are already under high temperatures or require substantial quantities of water, may also suffer as a result of further warming. Scientists are developing practical solutions to prevent the production of heat-trapping gases, by the use of technology. The hypothesis of this essay is that the global warming is man-made, and implications of global warming indicate negative outcomes in several aspects of human, plant and animal life. The findings from informative sources will be documented and discussed, and conclusions will be drawn in relation to the hypothesis given. Discussion The Causes of Global Warming: The leading theory on global warming is that human industrial activity over the last century is the root cause of global warming, since it has been causing carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere. Similarly, modes of transportation such as cars and buses increase the emission levels. Further, the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests result in production of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, which remain in the atmosphere for several decades and even centuries (Behreandt: 10). The accumulated gas prevents heat in the atmosphere from escaping into space, and the retained gas causes rise in the environmental temperature, which is termed as the greenhouse effect. This increased release of greenhouse gases caused by human activities causes the retention of more heat than normal by the earth. The main reason is that carbon dioxide absorbs the earth’s heat radiation and acts like a blanket over the earth’s surface (Houghton: 9). The increased atmospheric warming results in activating natural processes that cause greater release of greenhouse gases which are deposited in the atmosphere. Michaels (p.50) states that “planetary near surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.5 degrees centigrade over the past century, and will continue at a higher rate for the next century”. The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other major scientific bodies such as the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science support the above theory on global warming. They agree that “greenhouse gases accumulating in the earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, cause surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures to rise” (Behreandt: 10). The Effects of Global Warming: The impact of global warming is revealed in the Arctic and across the globe where tremendous changes are being brought about by rising temperatures. The melting of ice from high altitudes and glaciers alters unique landscapes, animal and plant life; and influences the onset and duration of the seasons. There is consequent impact on people’s lives and livelihoods (UCS, 2007). However, recent research shows that the increase in global temperature is not as significant as it is reported to be, and some extreme climatic changes may be due to other factors such as solar heating, heavy rainfalls, etc. An effect of global warming will be to “accelerate the decomposition of soil organic matter, thereby releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere” (Jenkinson et al: 304), which will further increase the process of warming. Carbon dioxide is believed to be responsible for 55 percent of the increase in radiative forces arising from man-made emissions of gases to the atmosphere. There is about twice as much carbon in the top metre of soil as in the atmosphere. Hence, such a reflection mechanism would be considered to be of significance quantitatively, indicating the level of greenhouse gas produced by the soil as a result of global warming. Research studies show that the impact of global warming is already evident in animal and plant populations which are not accounted for by changes that are based on known physiological constraints of species which 80 percent of the species reveal. The integrated impact of rapid temperature rise and other stresses especially habitat destruction, can cause changes. The connection between the species could be broken, and result in “reformulation of species communities, reflecting differential changes in species, and to numerous extirpations and possibly extinctions” (Root et al: 57). Thus, tremendous changes in the species of animal and plant life is believed to be taking place, with possible exterminations as well as the development of potentially new species. Another significant impact of global warming is expected to be an increase in malaria and dengue all over the world. “Increases in rainfall, temperature and humidity will favor the spread of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes over a wider range and to higher altitudes”, according to the 2007-2008 Human Development Report. The disease kills about one million people every year, especially in Africa; with global warming, an additional 220 to 400 million people may become susceptible to the disease (HDR: 2007). Continued Global Warming: Risks and Implications: Tremendous changes in nature’s elements and forces are expected to result from continued global warming. There will be increased heat and drought, rising sea levels caused by further melting of ice, and tropical storms of greater intensity. These natural changes will result in loss of coastal property and resources, higher summer temperatures adversely impacting livability in the cities and the productivity and livelihood from farms, fisheries and forests (UCS, 2007). On the other hand, some researchers do not agree with the above hypothesis that high intensity tropical storms will result from increase in the greenhouse effect (Michaels: 108-109). Numerical model simulations have shown that there is no increased hurricane activity with continued build-up of greenhouse gases. In fact, hurricanes were found to be less intense when created under global warming conditions with increased greenhouse effect (Shen et al: 109). Those studies which showed hurricane increases (Sugi et al: 238) also revealed an overall significant reduction in the frequency of tropical cyclones in response to the increased carbon dioxide induced global warming. Furthermore, the Sugi et al study also found that the most significant decrease in the frequency of cyclones is over the North Pacific Ocean, whose ocean basin has the greatest cyclone activity. Also, the heaviest rainfall events have been found to impact increase in river flow and cause floods, over the last fifty years. The heavy rainfalls as well as heavy and daily precipitation of greenhouse gases may be the cause of the higher probability of floods. Preventive Measures and Solutions for Global Warming: Carbon emissions can be controlled with the help of major technological breakthroughs in the United States and in other parts of the world. This will help in reducing dependency on fossil fuels by facilitating a shift towards energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Thus there are clear possibilities that with strong governmental leadership, the crisis of global warming can be overcome, while at the same time enhancing the quality of living of the people of world. An important solution is: strong legislation to control carbon emission, such as the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050 (Sanders, News: The Nation, Nov.27, 2007). Similarly, an adaptive international agreement to slow global warming must be supported and implemented, in order to overcome the impact of the greenhouse effect. For this purpose, General Agreement on Climate Change (GACC) is recommended, with a flexible, negotiable structure. Such an agreement would “accommodate the diverse and changing interests of nations as they seek to slow global warming, alongside other socio-economic objectives” (Victor: 451). Next, the federal government should begin initiatives for investing in energy efficiency and sustainable energy, which are the least expensive and also the quickest and easiest methods by which the 80 percent carbon emission reduction can be accomplished. This will at the same time create several million well-paid jobs. Also, new building constructions can be modified to use less fuel and energy by at least 40 percent. Raising fuel-efficiency standards of transportation is also expected to radically lower carbon dioxide emissions. Increased research and greater production of applications based on sustainable energy, such as wind, solar and geothermal power, would give very inexpensive alternatives (Sanders, News: The Nation, Nov.27, 2007). Each individual can take proactive steps towards reducing global warming, by adopting certain effective measures on a permanent basis: landscaped construction of buildings for energy efficiency, using a fuel-efficient or hybrid car, carpooling whenever possible, maintaining tyres and air-filter, reducing garbage, using recycled paper, un-plugging unused electronic items, and planting trees since they aborb carbon dioxide and cleanse the air (GWIC: 2005). Conclusion This essay has brought out the significance of global warming, and the challenges posed by the process. By studying the views of various authoritative sources on the topic, it was found that most people believe that global warming is a reality in the world today, is caused by the activities of human beings, and is continuing to take place at an accelerated pace. The implications of this viewpoint is that there is potential for large-scale destruction of the landscape, impact on human livelihoods, plant and animal life, and increased prevalence of diseases such as malaria and dengue. However, some research studies have shown that increased occurrences of floods and cyclones cannot be attributed to global warming alone, as other causes such as heavy rainfalls and climatic factors may be the reason. Further, there have been fluctuations in the earth’s temperature over the last several centuries, and the current increases in temperature may not necessarily be due to increased industrial and vehicular use by human beings. The conflicting information about global warming indicates that further research is required, to determine the exact causes and outcomes of the process. The discipline of climate changes is still in a developing stage, hence no definite reason is available yet. Inexpensive and beneficial results can be achieved from technology-based alternative methods to overcome global warming, such as introduction of applications based on energy-efficient and sustainable energy resources. Research in this area is recommended, for further developing the use of sustainable resources. This will help to reduce carbon dioxide emission and pollution levels, thus enabling better health outcomes and quality of life for people all over the world. Works Cited Behreandt, Dennis. Global warming too hot or not? The theory of global warming proposes that man’s activities are causing the earth to heat up, but there is compelling scientific evidence that does not support this conclusion. The New American, 22, September 18, 2006. GWIC (Global Warming International Center). Things you can do today to reduce global warming, 5 July, 2006. Available at: http://www.globalwarming.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=1 Houghton, John. Global warming: the complete briefing. The United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2004. HDR (Human Development Report). Global warming already harming us. New: Press TV. Available at: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=2258§ionid=3510208 Jenkinson, D.S., Adams, D.E. & Wild, A. Model estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from soil in response to global warming. Letters to Nature: Nature, 351 (1991): 304-306. Michaels, Patrick J. Shattered consensus: the true state of global warming. Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield Publisher, 2005. Root, Terry L., Price, Jeff T., Hall, Kimberly R., Schneider, Stephen H., Rosenzwelg, Cynthia & Pounds, J. Alan. Fingerprints of global warming on wild animals and plants. Nature, 421 (2003): 57-60. Sanders, Bernie. Opinion: Global warming is reversible. News: The Nation, 27 November, 2007. Available at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20071127/cm_thenation/20071210sanders Shen, W., Ginis, I. & Tuleya, R.E. A sensitivity study on the thermo-dynamic environment on GFDL model hurricane intensity: implications for global warming. Journal of Climate, 13 (2000): 109-121. Sugi, M. & Yoshimura, J. A mechanism of tropical precipitation change due to carbon dioxide increase. Journal of Climate, 17 (2004): 238-284. UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists). Global warming science. Global Warming. 2007. Available at: http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science/ Victor, David G. How to slow global warming. Nature, 349 (1991): 451-456. Read More