Global Warming Issue - Research Paper Example

Global Warming Introduction Today’s world we live in is not an “idea” that sprang upon in the mind of a single individual. It has been the hard work of many people for centuries that has led to the state that we live in now. Inventions and technological advancements have been taking place over the period of time that has taken man from the primitive phase to the modernized technological phase. There has been a drastic improvement in our way of living because of the advancement of science and technology. However, the aspect that cannot be disputed is that these human induced advancements, inventions and discoveries are happening at the cost of earth’s environment. Yes, technological advancements and industrial revolution, initiated by the men, have led to an increase in emission of greenhouse gases, burning of fossil fuels and that eventually led to global warming. Global Warming refers to rise in earth’s temperature due to the emission of green house gases, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. It is no doubt that Earth is warming faster than ever before in history. The increasing temperature is, however, thought to come about because of the various human activities. However, at the same time, there is a view that global warming is a naturally occurring phenomenon, and the human activities in quest of development and comfort do not contribute to it. Thus, this paper even while discussing whether global warming is due to human actions or whether they do not contribute maximally to it, will take a concluding stance that it is human-induced. Background Earth’s temperatures depend on the balance between input of the sun and terrestrial radiation or its loss back into the atmosphere. There are gases that are critical when it comes to the balance of that temperature. This group of gases has a common name: greenhouse gases. Energy from the sun is in the form of shortwave radiation. Approximately, a third of the solar radiation that hits earth’s surface gets reflected back into the atmosphere. The remaining radiation is absorbed mainly by land and oceans. This, therefore, results into an increase in the warming of the earth’s surface. The surface subsequently emits long-wave radiation. At this point, if there are greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the radiation is trapped, thereby, warming the atmosphere. The gases form a blanket on earth thus increasing the temperatures by 35 degrees (Theodore, 2004). Role of human induced Greenhouse gases in global warming Scientists believe that human activities have a direct impact on the increased levels of greenhouse gases on the earth surface. Global warming occurs because of the massive greenhouse gases, for instance, carbon dioxide and methane. Human activities are the main cause of the increase in green house gases. Global warming is characterized by rise in sea levels, melting of glaciers and ice caps, change in climatic conditions and rainfall patterns, etc. For the last 20 million years, research has it that burning of fuels has tremendously given rise to high carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. A recent report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that there is a vivid evidence for 0.6 degrees Celsius increase in global temperatures and about 20cm rise in the general sea level. In addition, sea ice thickness in Arctic Ocean has gone down by approximately 40% (Theodore, 2004). Mountains, on the other hand, are also recording the fastest ever experienced glacier melting rate. In North Atlantic region, there has been a constant rise in storm activities, drought, and floods. Prediction made by IPCC suggests that by 2100, there shall be arise in global temperatures by 5.4 degrees Celsius (Theodore, 2004). Generation of Greenhouse Gases has increased due to Human activities A simple way to prove Global Warming is happening and real is to refer to the earth’s temperature database of the previous years and compare the same with the current temperature levels and corresponding carbon dioxide emission levels. Referring to earth’s historical temperatures dating back to 19th century, it is clear that there has been an abnormal and sharp increasing trend from the 20th century. Industrial revolution resulting in emission of carbon dioxide, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels took place in a very large scale only in the 20th century. Industrial revolution can be directly related to the rise in temperature levels in the 20th century and, thus, proving that global warming is real and is caused by man. In addition, there are three main ways in which human activities lead to an escalation in the total amount of the greenhouse gases, burning of fossil fuel, deforestation, and agricultural as well as industrial activities. During the combustion of fossil fuels, large amounts of carbon dioxide are produced. Fossils get burnt in order to aid in production of energy that can help in transportation, cooling, heating, and electricity generation. 80% of the total carbon dioxide added in the atmosphere comes from burnt fossil fuels (Spellman & Whiting, 2006). In addition, land use change, for example: clearing lands for ranching, agriculture or logging contributes positively in the increased levels of carbon dioxide. Plants contain carbon which gets emitted as carbon dioxide when plants decay or burn. In addition, ozone gas and chlorofluorocarbons result in an increase in the levels of green house gases in the atmosphere. Ozone gas is present in the troposphere, and it emerges from industries. Most of untreated industrial wastes contain methane. Chlorofluorocarbons found in refrigerators and air conditioners also deplete stratospheric ozone layer. Counter points regarding the non-role of humans in global warming Independent Role of Sun in Global Warming Although the above discussed points imply that Global Warming is causing major negative impacts on the earth, its environment and importantly people, when viewed another perspective it can assumed that dangerous effect of global warming is maximally inflated and even ‘doctored.’ The basic fact, which is pointed out by the sections of experts and other skeptical groups is, sun without any influence of the Greenhouse gases only warms the earth. As this process is happening for billions of years without causing any negative impacts, it is clear that the sun only contributing to the warming of the globe, and does not cause any negative effects. Opponents to the theory or even the occurrence of Global warming state that the extreme hotness and the related negative effects on the environment and the people mainly happens because of the fluctuating energy of the sun. That is, sun is emitting varied amounts of energy particularly hot energy and it is causing heavy exposure to sun’s hot energy on earth’s objects. Even, if one takes the stance that human activities only caused heightened emission of Greenhouse gases and triggered the global warming phenomenon, it only accounts for minor percent, with the earth maximally warming itself because of the sun. In addition, such a minor percent contribution of human activities does not have the virility to cause negative changes in as large as our earth. Temperature is not rising Another key statistics which also validates that global warming is not making any negative impacts and importantly humans’ high industrial activities in the recent past are contributing is the fact that global average temperatures are not rising from the year 2001. During the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), which lasted from 10th century to about 14th century, the earth faced very hot temperatures more than the current levels. “Even the warmth of the ‘record’ warm El Nino year in 1998 might well have been surpassed several times during major El Nino events that occurred during the MWP” (Spencer). However, there was not even an iota of human induced industrial activities during that period. Thus, there were occasions when earth experienced hotness without any human activity. Considering this aspect, it can be assumed that human activities are not the only reason for global warming. Role of Carbon Dioxide as the causer of Global warming is exaggerated Earth is warming up in the recent past and the CO2 levels are also accentuating in correlation. However, according to the skeptics of global warming, this correlation is nothing but coincidence because there are no strong evidences to prove that one factor causes the other. One of the widely accepted fact is CO2 is a harmless life initiating molecule, which is normally used or consumed by the plants to survive. With sizable plants, trees and sizable forest covers all over the world consuming the CO2, majority of the CO2 emitted through human activities are being consumed by the plants themselves. This sizably reduces CO2 in the atmosphere, thereby eliminating any chance of CO2 causing global warming. ”As of 2009, there are only 38 or 39 molecules of CO2 for every 100,000 molecules of atmosphere, and it will take mankind’s CO2 emissions another five years to raise that total by 1 molecule, to 40 out of every 100,000 molecules” (Spencer). Non-role of Greenhouse Gases There are some scientists who dismiss the fact that global warming is as a result of human activities. Khabibullo Abdussamatov, for instance, has come up with a theory that dismisses the idea of greenhouse gases as the leading cause of global warming. He argues that greenhouse gases have minimal influence on earth’s temperature (Pasachoff & Filippenko, 2007). Variation of temperature takes place mostly on Earth and Mars. He, therefore, believes that Carbon Dioxide has no influence in Mars. Furthermore, he believes that, if greenhouse gases were to be absent, there would be no life on Earth. Instead, the whole planet would just be a ball of ice. He, however, says that the global warming is due to wobbles in Earth’s orbit. The wobbles are known as Milankovitch cycles. They take place after 100,000 years. The wobbles, therefore, change tilt of the Earth’s axis. Moreover, they aid in waxing and waning ice on the Earth’s surface. Sustainable ways and Conclusions There is a great controversy when it comes to the real causes of global warming. Some scientists believe that it is due to greenhouse gases effect. On the other hand, some scientists also believe that global warming is as a result of Earth’s wobbles. From the foregoing discussion, however, it is true to make a general conclusion that global warming is as a result of human activities. The best way to deal with a problem is by having a keen look on the cause of that issue. This, therefore, implies that, if global warming is as a result of human activities, then definitely, the best way to deal with it is by educating people on the negative impacts of global warming. Human beings should begin by regulating all those activities that increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This, therefore, implies that by regulating the various human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and increased land use changes, there will be a reduction on the levels of green house gases released in the atmosphere. From the first part of the analysis, we can conclude that global warming is real and is happening for the past few decades. Also a number of people have started to believe that global warming is real and is taking place. Majority of the scientists are of the view that global warming is real. Scientists have moved to the next stage of research, that is, from “global warming is real or not” to “How to face global warming issues?” Global Warming issues have become the essence of the hour. It is now up to human beings to face global warming issues to ensure smooth survival of living beings. References Theodore, J. (2004). Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. New York: Cambridge University Press Publishers. Spellman, F., & Whiting, N. (2006). Environmental science and technology: concepts and applications. Chicago: Government Institutes Publishers. Spencer, R. (2009). Some Global Warming Q&A to Consider in Light of the EPA Ruling. Retrieved from: http://www.drroyspencer.com/2009/04/some-global- warming-qa-to-consider-in-light-of-the-epa-ruling/ Pasachoff, M., & Filippenko, A. (2007). The Cosmos: Astronomy in the New Millennium. London: Cengage Learning Publishers. Read More