Human Contribution to Climate Change - Essay Example

Climate change Task: Global climate changes are manmade Climate change is a critical issue that deserves attention from all entities to society. It is vital to note that climate change is a wide concept that encompasses several aspects. However, climate change is a detrimental phenomenon that is caused by human beings. In spite of the fact that there are natural causes to climate change, human activities contribute to a significant portion of the same. In this sense, climate change can be averted by alteration of human life styles. It is vital to note that there are external and internal causes to climate change. External cause may pertain to a change in the sun’s output. This change may eventually influence the same in solar radiation. Internal variations may pertain to volcanic activity, atmospheric gases and continental drift. Human beings may be responsible for some of these internal and external changes. In this paper, it is essential to utilize the five steps of persuasion in discussing climate change in terms of manmade activities. Establishing credibility In establishing credibility, it is vital to note that climate researchers have been able to link recent aspects of extreme weather to human activities. This marks a crucial milestone in climate research. This concerns major aspects such as flood and extreme temperatures. A recent example pertains to Texas farmers who experienced extreme weather events (Harvey, 2012). This resulted into cases of blight diseases that destroyed crop yields. Such experiences lead to extensive research into possible interventions because they directly affect human lives. A principal element in this change regards global warming. Acknowledging the audience’ position In spite of the other audience’s position on the fact that climate change solely relies on natural activities, the following history will prove the main argument. Natural causes, of climate change, pertain to earth activities such as seismic movements and increase of radiation. Scientists have proven that current global warming is not caused by change in solar radiations. If solar radiations caused climate change, there would be temperatures shift in all the layers of the atmosphere. It is discernible that the emergence of industrial revolution, in the 19th century, influenced the world in significant ways. In the industrial activities, factories and machines utilized high proportions of fossil fuels. Industrial activities entailed substantial use of coal for running machines. In addition to the same, there was extensive use of natural gas and oil. This was essential in generating electricity for households and industries. Constructing a rationale This led to large emissions of toxic gases into the atmosphere. In the recent research, the energy sector contributes to 20 percent of methane and 75 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to the same, it contributes to a significant portion of nitrous oxide emissions in the atmosphere. The rationale of this paper relies on the idea that these gases are responsible for destruction of the ozone layer. Transplanting root elements According to linked research, there are three natural causes to increase in natural gases as pertains to human activities. This concerns use of fossil fuels, agriculture and land use. These are the root elements that will convince of human beings’ responsibility for climate change. Research has shown that agriculture significantly contribute to climate change. This primarily occurs through manufacture and release of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Additionally, agriculture can lead to alteration of lands cover. This changes its ability to reflect light and heat. Activities such as deforestation and chemical use contribute to increase in composition of green house gases into the atmosphere. The challenging scenario, about the agriculture situation, regards the idea that agriculture influences climate change and is also affected by the same. In terms of agriculture, animal keeping contributes significantly to climate change. This, especially, pertains to animals that are mobile in their movements. Animal hooves and heavy bodies contribute to loosening of soil particles. During heavy rains, water easily sweeps away the soil particles. This is because soil particles cannot hold flowing water (Reynolds, 2010). This eventually leads to floods. Floods lead to destruction of crops and feeds for animals. In most cases, it causes detriment to human life as pertains to housing and food. Additionally, intensive use of machinery leads to loosening of soil particles and release of carbon dioxide. Animal movements on the soil also contribute to the same. This carbon dioxide increases its concentration thus leading to global warming. Besides, agriculture entails activities that contribute to significant levels of carbon dioxide in the air. Burning of bushes and forests entails carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. It is vital to note that burning, of forests, leads to release of carbon dioxide due to combustion of plant carbon and oxygen. Additionally, deforestation surges the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This occurs due to the fact plants contribute to absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is because plants employ carbon dioxide for manufacture of their own foods. Plants act as natural storage for carbon through photosynthesis. In the act of burning, carbon dioxide, which has been stored for long periods, accesses the atmosphere within hours. In the case of no replacement, or unequal replanting, the carbon dioxide is not transformed into plant biomass. Besides forest burning, animal husbandry and rice cultivation contribute to methane in the atmosphere. In animal husbandry, this refers to enteric fermentation. This occurs in ruminant animals such as sheep and cows. A typical western cow releases 120 kilogram of methane in a year. Rice contributes to the same because of intensive utilization of fertilizer in the same. Ammonium-based fertilizers decompose thereby releasing nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Such nitrogenous fertilizer stimulates microbes into conversion of nitrogen into nitrous oxide. This gas leads to destruction of ozone layer thus leading to global warming. In spite of its complexity, human beings can address climate change by following up activities that contribute to the same. In this sense, the reverse actions of human activities that lead global warming are vital in tackling the same (Stokes & Howden, 2010). A vital example concerns with the case of afforestration. This refers to the act of nurturing trees in places that had been void of the same. Trees are essential in notable ways. To begin with, they lead to precipitation hence leading to cooling of the atmosphere and solution of carbon dioxide. In addition, they lead to absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Other interventions include organic farming and alternative fuels. Asking for a response In summary, it is discernible that human activities significantly contribute to climate change. This occurs through farming activities. Farming activities, such as deforestation and forest burning, lead to emission of green house gases into the air. Other activities entail intensive use of fossil fuels in industries. However, human beings can avert such detriment by interventions such as planting of trees and utilization of alternative fuels. It is vital to note that there is still extensive research on climate change. This paper is open for analysis and critical response on the view that climate change is triggered and perpetuated by manmade activists. References Harvey, F. (2012 July, 10). Scientists attribute extreme weather to man-made climate change. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/10/extreme-weather-manmade-climate-change. Reynolds, M. (2010). Climate change and crop production. Cambridhge, MA: CABI. Stokes, C., & Howden, M. (2010). Adapting agriculture to climate change: preparing Australian agriculture, forestry and fisheries for the future. Collingwood. Csiro Publishing. Read More