Climate Change: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Assignment Example

Persuasive presentation Grade (11th, April. Persuasive presentation Introduction: Attention getter: The USA has the answer to its employment and federal debt problems in the application of normal agricultural methods, as well as the use of renewable and clean energy (NRDC, 2013). The application of normal agricultural methods, as opposed to greenhouse farming will create more jobs for the USA population, while through the use of renewable energy; the USA shall no longer be dependent on fuel importation, thus will no longer incur petroleum importation debts (Mooney, 2012). Listener relevance: One of the major effects of Global warming, as presented under the 20 deadliest effects of Global Warming is that; Warmer waters and more hurricanes will be experienced, since as the temperature of the ocean rises, so will the probability of more frequent and more stronger hurricanes increase (Weaver, 2011). This revelation is certainly of concern to anyone, owing the devastating effects that hurricanes have had on this country, and most significantly, considering that the USA, although a signatory to the Kyoto protocol, has not ratified or withdrawn from the protocol (Rahm, 2010). Speaker credibility: I have committed much of my time to study and reflect on the issue of global warming, with a keen interest to understand how much progress has been made in the reduction of green houses gas emissions, considering that the USA was required to have reduced the emissions by 7% from 1990 to 2012, in a global meeting that was held in Japan to find ways of mitigating the impacts of global warming in 1997 (Harris, 2000). While paying attention to the progress that have been made, I have delved more into the issue of global warming, and thus I believe it is an issue I can address competently. Thesis statement: Global greenhouse gas emissions are the main contributor to global warming (EPA, 2013), and by investing in green jobs and green energy, the USA will highly reduce its contribution to global warming. Preview: It is time we delve deeply into the issue of global warming, with a special emphasis on its major causes and how the concept of green jobs and green energy can be applied, to address this issue, which is a major global concern. Body: First Main Point: The major concern arising from the concept of Global warming is the predicted increase in heat wave and drought intensity (Rahm, 2010). While the normal climate change contributes to substantial drought in certain parts of the world that are badly hit to the extent of having tens of thousands of people die of hunger and starvation, in a drought season lasting for a short spell, the effect of global warming in causing drought are more severe. This raises the need to take charge of controlling global warming at the earliest opportunity possible, lest we endanger the lives of millions in generations to come (Weaver, 2011). 1. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Global greenhouse gas emissions from various sources for the year 2004 (EPA, 2013) are: a. Energy Supply 26% b. Industry 19% c. Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry 17% d. Agriculture 14% e. Transportation 13% f. Commercial and Residential Buildings 8% g. Waste and Wastewater 3% 2. With such data realities, then the need to understand how the USA has been handling the green house gas emissions comes into place. Second main point: Let us now shift to what the USA has been doing to address the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions, and consequently the ultimate challenge of global warming. 1. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the main body tasked by the USA to address the issue of global warming, with the partnership of other environmental bodies and agencies. 2. The steps EPA has taken to address the challenge include: a. Collecting green houses gases emissions data, which helps the policy makers, the businesses and the agency to monitor the trend and formulate ways of reducing the emissions (EPA, 2013). b. Getting emission reductions, through regulatory initiatives and partnerships that covers both the public and the private sector. c. Evaluating the policy options, monitoring the progress made, as well as the costs and benefits. d. Partnering with institutions locally and internationally to formulate and implement ways of reducing emissions, while also helping communities adapt to new regulatory requirements. At this point then we ask ourselves, is there a more promising and viable alternative to the global warming menace? Third Main Point: The most promising and most viable alternative for addressing the green house gas emissions and global warming is the application of the green jobs and green energy. 1. What does this alternative call for? a. It requires investment in clean and renewable energy such as wind, solar and water power, at the expense of other organic sources of energy such as coal and petroleum, which are major sources of carbon emissions (NRDC, 2013). b. Growing food using the normal open-air agricultural methods, while reforesting our water catchments and forests which are vital in global warming control. 2. What are the major benefits a. Reverting to the application of the clean and renewable sources of energy will effectively reduce carbon emissions, and thus reduce global warming. b. Application of normal agricultural methods, as well as the use of renewable and clean energy will create more jobs for our population (NRDC, 2013). c. We shall highly reduce the federal debt because as stated earlier, “If we use God-given resources, then we can find ways to make the Middle-East less relevant”, since we shall no longer be dependent on fuel importation (Mooney, 2012). Conclusion Global warming is a major concern not only for the USA, but also for the whole world. Its impacts will be devastating in the future, if nothing is done presently to control it. While EPA, the body tasked with addressing environmental issues has been making steady progress in addressing the issue, more still requires to be done. Global greenhouse gas emissions are the main contributor to global warming. However, by investing in green jobs and green energy the issue shall be effectively addressed. References Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2013). Climate Change: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data. from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/global.html Harris, P. G. (2000). Climate change and American foreign policy. New York: St. Martins Press. Mooney, K. (2012).Global-warming policies and the threat to U.S. Wind Exclusive. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (2013). Global Warming Solutions. from http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/solutions/ Rahm, D. (2010). Climate change policy in the United States: The science, the politics, and the prospects for change. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co. Weaver, A. J. (2011). Generation us: The challenge of global warming. Victoria, BC: Raven Books. Read More