Causes, Effects, Solutions, and Potential Benefits of Reduction of Global Warming - Report Example

Global Warming Across the world, leaders, environmental scientists, conservationists, and experts from different fields are calling on people to be keen on conserving the environment. The level of attention that the environment is getting today is far greater than it has over the past centuries globally. This turn of events would not have been the case had it not been for a phenomenon that has sent jitters on leaders and civilians alike – global warming. Environmental scientists define global warming as the unequivocal and continuing rise in the earth’s average climate system temperature (Barnett, Adam, Lettenmaier & Lettenmaier 2005, p. 304). The phenomenon was first documented by a Swedish scientist by the name Svante Arrhenius in 1896 (Weart 2012). This article will discuss global warming with a focus on its causes, effects, solutions, and potential benefits of its reduction. Causes of Global Warming While natural forces such as volcanic activities, solar luminosity, and changes in the earth’s orbit around the sun may have an effect on the average temperature of the earth’s climatic system, scientists note that the main cause of such a change is anthropogenic activities (Barnett, Adam, Lettenmaier & Lettenmaier 2005, p. 306). Human activities contribute to global warming when greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere destroys the ozone layer and form an envelope in the upper part of the atmosphere preventing some of the sun’s radiations from being reflected back to space by the earth’s surface. The process by which greenhouse gases cause the re-radiation of some of the sun’s rays back to earth leading to global warming is called the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases in this respect include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and chloro-flourocarbons, just to name a few (Hoyt & Schatten1993, 897). Large quantities of greenhouse gases are released in the atmosphere as a direct result of human activities. Charcoal burning which is an activity that is commonly practiced in many parts of the world leads to the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Ruddiman, 2005, p. 27). Similarly, exhaust fumes from car engines that result from the combustion of petroleum fuels contain a lot of carbon dioxide that ends up in the atmosphere. In industries, different processes lead to the production and release of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapour in the air. Industries and motor vehicles are not the only culprits when it comes to the production of greenhouse gases. Residential areas, commercial buildings, waste and waste water treatment plants also contribute toward the production of greenhouse gases. At home, for example, cooking using liquefied petroleum gas or charcoal leads to the production of carbon dioxide. Agricultural activities also contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gases such as through the use of fertilizers that in the long run produce nitrous oxide. Effects of Global Warming on the Environment Global warming has gross effects on the environment. It is these effects that have in fact made the phenomenon receive so much attention worldwide. Global warming has seen a rise in the sea level as snow and ice from mountains and Polar Regions melt (Ruddiman, 2005, p. 56). The phenomenon has evidently led to the retreat of snow from snow capped mountains and ice from Arctic regions. Research shows that in recent times, the Arctic areas will experience summers without snow. Studies also show that the sea level could rise by between 0.18 and 0.59 meters over the 21st century as a direct result of global warming. Yet another effect of global warming is the trend toward extreme weather conditions. In some areas including equatorial regions and subpolar regions, extremely high regions are bound to be experienced even as droughts abound in subtropical areas (Ruddiman, 2005, p. 68). The melting of ice and snow and high amounts of rainfall in different places and the rise in the sea level has the effect of creating floods in coastal regions. Many ecosystems have been and will continue to be affected by global warming. The recession of ice and snow in such places as Arctic regions has, for example, lead to the reduction in the number of polar bears and may possibly lead to their extinction (Ruddiman, 2005, p. 84). High amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere results in the formation of acid rain which does not favor many species leading to their death and destruction of habitats. Increased precipitation and droughts in different areas have also led to the destruction of ecosystems as some plant varieties and animal species cannot adapt to the environmental changes. It is not only the natural environment that suffers from global warming. Studies show that acid rain that is produced as a result of high amounts of acidic gases in the atmosphere causes corrosion of different materials such as iron sheets used for roofing. Effects of Global Warming on Society While it may easily be taken for granted that global warming has everything to do with adverse effects on the environment, this is not the case in reality. The phenomenon has affected and will continue to impact negatively on food security in many places (Ruddiman, 2005, p. 74). For example, it has been noted that the production of such food crops as rice, maize and millet has dropped in different countries as a direct consequence of global warming. This effectively means that many people in different parts of the world, and especially in developing countries, have to content with starvation and malnutrition. Furthermore, the rise in sea levels and increased precipitation in some areas will result in the destruction of infrastructures and human settlements. In Bangladesh, for example, many people are bound to go homeless as their homes are destroyed by floods and heavy rains. Yet again, the destruction of the ozone layer will lead to an increase in the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet rays on earth. This translates to higher cases of skin cancer and eye cataracts among other ailments. Solutions to Global Warming Global warming is a serious problem that faces the global population. Considering that the problem is mainly caused by human activities, it can be corrected or at least controlled by adopting certain measures. Several strategies and interventions have been instituted as a way of dealing with the problem of global warming. The main strategy in this respect involves putting measures to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants that are released in the environment (Barnett, Adam, Lettenmaier & Lettenmaier 2005, p. 308). Global warming can also be reduced by creating more carbon sinks so that larger quantities of greenhouse gases are absorbed from the atmosphere. In consideration of these main solutions, the global population can engage in activities that conserve energy such as using more energy efficient equipment as a way of reducing global warming. Furthermore, the global population can take measures to conserve energy such as by using less quantities of charcoal and petroleum fuels to fulfill their energy needs and thereby contribute to the reduction of GHGs emissions to the atmosphere (Lerner & Wilmoth 2006, p.34). The use of renewable energy sources such as nuclear, solar, wind, tidal, geothermal energy which do not produce GHGs is also an effective means of reducing global warming. People can also plant more trees and conserve forests as a way of reducing global warming as trees contribute to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. People can also help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by using public transport as opposed to personal cars. One effective way of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is by instituting relevant regulations and policies (Lerner & Wilmoth 2006, p.45). In many countries, for example, individuals are bound to pay more in taxes for using less energy efficient machines and equipment. In such a situation, people tend to opt to use more energy efficient means of production. Legislations and policies can also see the planting of more trees and conservation of forests if and when they are adequately implemented. Benefits of Reducing Global Warming The benefits of reducing global warming are closely related to the negative effects of the phenomenon. If measures are taken to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and therefore global warming, the earth’s average temperature will reduce over time. The benefit of this is that less ice will melt from polar regions and from mountains which means that the natural heritage of different places will be preserved (Lerner & Wilmoth 2006, p.64). Furthermore, ecosystems will not be subject to as much destruction. The human society will benefit from reduced global warming as there will be plenty of food and lower incidents of skin cancer, mouth cancer and eye cataracts. Yet again, infrastructures and homes will be less subject to destruction from extreme climatic or weather conditions such as rain and storms. In effect, a reduction in global warming is bound to have tremendous positive effects in the environment and economies of different countries and regions. Conclusion Global warming is a phenomenon that has a lot to do with the rise in the average global temperatures. The phenomenon is generally caused by the destruction of the ozone layer and the greenhouse effects that result from the emission of gases such as carbon, methane, and CFCs in the atmosphere. Global warming has several negative consequences on the natural environment, built environment, society, and ecosystems. Global warming can generally be reduced by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and creating more carbon sinks such as by planting more trees. References Barnett, TP, Adam, JC, Lettenmaier, DP, & Lettenmaier, DP, November 2005, "Potential impacts of a warming climate on water availability in snow-dominated regions" (abstract). Nature vol. 438, No. 7066, pp. 303–309. Hoyt, D V & Schatten, KH, November 1993, "A discussion of plausible solar irradiance variations, 1700–1992", Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 98, No. A11, 18, pp. 895–906. Ruddiman, WF, August 2005, Plows, Plagues, and Petroleum: How Humans Took Control of Climate, Princeton University Press, New Jersey. Lerner, KL & Wilmoth, B, 2006, Environmental issues: essential primary sources, Thomson Gale, New York. Weart S. 2012, The Discovery of Global Warming. Scientific American, acceded 28 February, 2014 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/discovery-of-global-warming/ Read More