Prevention and Adaption to Global Warming - Literature review Example

Global Warming Introduction Global warming is a term used to refer to the steady increment in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate (Schneider, S & Rasool 17). Even though it is an ongoing debate, it is proved by the scientists that the planet is warming. The earth atmosphere is experiencing a steady increase in it’s average temperature by approximately 1.4 degrees F and approximately two thirds of this increase occurring since 1980.  Global warming is affecting the nature’s balance and it is causing adverse such impact include: constant heat waves, and unexpected occurrence of floods and storms (Levitus 205). Most of time we experience adverse epidemics, that are distressing to human life and the flooding of the farms. This causes destruction of crops and to some extent famine and at the same time affecting our economy. Scientific evidence shows that since 1950, the world’s climate has been slowly warming, basically due to emissions from burning of fossil fuels, cattle grazing and burning of tropical forests. From the time of industrial revolution till up to date, there is a continued emission of the carbon and other green house gases into the earth’s atmosphere, all activities that we do leave carbon footprints (Levitus 41). Global warming is a man made phenomenon and can be reduced by controlling activities which cause emission of green-house gases.  The global emissions increase by 3% in year 2011 and are predicted to increase by 2.6% in year 2012, (Levitus 45). The greenhouse effect is commonly described as the process by which the greenhouse gases absorb thermal radiation; these are then reradiated in all directions. But when some of these radiations come back to the surface and lower atmosphere, it causes increase in the average surface temperature leading to global warming. Causes of Global Warming There are many causes of green house gases but the main cause is the increase in the greenhouse gases that is emitted by combustion of fossil fuel and deforestation, thus intensifying the greenhouse effect leading to global warming (Schneider, S & Rasool 217). There are four major contributors of the greenhouse effect, these are: carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor and ozone. Mining of Coal and oil releases methane in the atmosphere. Especially leakage from land fills and natural gas fields are vital sources of methane.  Excessive cutting down of the trees is another factor which contributes to global warming. Deforestation reduces the efficiency by which carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere and oxygen released by the green plants through the process of respiration, are reduced to a great extent. These impacts to rise in concentration of carbon dioxide hence increased greenhouse effect. The nitrous oxide from fertilizers, gases used for refrigeration and industrial processes are also major contributors of green house gases which in turn leads to Global Warming. Clathrate is also a major source of methane, it is a compound containing large quantity of methane embed led in the crystal like structure of ice. As methane evaporates from the ocean seabed, the rate of global warming will rise tremendously. Reduction of glaciers and ice caps also contribute to global warming, when they reflect sunlight, the high temperature sun rays bounces back into space away from the Earth. When these icecaps are removed the earth becomes warmer as the dark oceans absorb much more thermal radiation emitted from the sun (Levitus 245). Some regions may be wet with rain and some areas will suffer drought due to global warming. The climatic changes happen due to global warming. Seasonal changes are unpredictable unexpected thunderstorms might result as mentioned earlier. There is strong evidence that emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the major cause of the recent abnormal warming (Michael Jorgensen 46).  Like carbon CFC do not trap heat but in the presence of UV rays the chlorine gets detached from CFC, drifts up into the stratosphere and these unattached chlorines catalytically convert Ozone molecules into Oxygen molecules depleting the ozone layer. Effects of Global Warming The effect of global warming is dangerous to life on earth, both the human and animal existence. Due to the hear agriculture and farming, forestry and fishery are seriously hurt (Levitus 145). Water temperature being elevated, the fauna and flora are deprived of their natural habitat that is detrimental to their growth and might lead to distinction of the species there. Higher level of carbon dioxide causes the acidification of the oceans. According to the report of WWF on coral reefs says that coral populations will collapse by 2100 due to increased temperatures and ocean acidification (Levitus 125). The climatic changes are seen worldwide. Exceptional warm summers are another effect of this global warming and Europe and America have already witnessed these changes considerably. The summer of 1998 predicted to be the warmest in the century. Winter of 2003-2004 was the 33rd coldest in the North Eastern America since the records began in 1896(Schneider, S & Rasool 34). Scientists are struggling to predict how the heat building in the seas and atmosphere will affect the strength, intensity and occurrence of the cyclones, typhoons and storms. The increase in sea level due to the ice cap melt has caused the receding of the shorelines, which have been recorded by the researchers. According to the researchers the maximum wind speeds of the strongest tropical cyclones have increased significantly since 1981. Global warming might cause increased incidence of Lyme disease, dengue fever and malaria because the mosquitoes that are the transmitting agents for these diseases requires winter temperatures of about 18 degrees Celsius for their survival. The increased floods and damages to sewage and water infrastructures further encourage the spread of diseases. The melting glaciers, polar ice caps, and other frozen grounds are causing and will continue to cause the rise in sea levels. This will result in flooding and displacement of human population worldwide. The fresh water polar ice caps melting into the salt- water oceans alter the ocean gulf- stream patterns causing major changes on the temperature pattern around the Earth.  This changing environment and temperature in polar region will endanger the flora and fauna and imbalance in the ecosystem. The ozone layer keeps out the ultra violet radiations from the sun that harms lives on the earth. Some human made gases rises into the atmosphere and destroys the ozone layer. Therefore global warming involves the pollution of the atmosphere, which in turn leads to the depletion of the ozone layer. The global warming will delay the ozone recovery at Arctic regions making these people to be exposed to a ultra-violet dose, which is relatively higher. The penetration of the more ultra-violet radiations from the sun to the earth poses threats to lives like skin cancer (Correa 121). Ultraviolent radiations have a disastrous effect on food chain. Incase UV rays kill plankton in the sea, the fish and whales that live off of plankton would finally starve and die to extinction. This would then affect the next link in the chain those creatures that feed on fish and so it would continue throughout the chain. The chlorine that gets detached from CFC by UV rays rises up into the stratosphere and these unattached chlorines catalytically convert Ozone molecules into Oxygen molecules depleting the ozone layer, which in turn results in cascade of events leading to global warming and associated harms to life (Michael Jorgensen 78). Prevention and Adaption to Global Warming Global warming has become a major problem as we move on to 21st century and beyond. Like the old say goes, prevention is better than cure. We have done enough damage, knowingly and unknowingly we have contributed to global warming. Our efforts and determined contribution to reduce global warming and spare the ecosystem to recover thereby cautiously working restore the balance of nature is very urgent. Pollution of the atmosphere has to be checked and anything related to the release of the greenhouse gases should be monitored (Correa 67). Deforestation should be stopped as it causes the concentration of carbon at a greater extent. It has been said that it takes roughly 19 trees to make one ton of paper and that the usage of one ton of recycled paper will save approximately 17 trees. The burning of wood should be reduced to a greater extent as it releases oxidizable carbon to the atmosphere whose presence in greater amount causes the elevation of temperature. LPG stoves can replace the fire wood burning. Bio gas plants can be encouraged in village units. Composting will help you to dispose of biodegradable waste (Schneider, S & Rasool 107). The use of CFCs is the major cause ozone layer depletion leading to global warming. The exhaust gas from automobiles engines also causes global warming. We can reduce such emissions by advocating for use of: fuel-efficient cars, bio-fuels, correct the engine design, or using an electric car. Global warming can be prevented to some extent if we minimizing on energy losses at home. Energy saving can be achieved by shutting down the systems when not in usage and also installing energy efficient equipments. Renewable sources of energy such as: Solar energy, wind energy and hydro-electricity can be used to reduces the pollution of the atmosphere to a greater extent (Michael Jorgensen 56). Global warming is caused by the peoples don’t care attitude and ignorance. Global warming can be eradicated by educating children to be efficient consumers and be responsible users of energy and resources because global warming is slowly destroying the earth and its natural habitat. A lot of awareness is currently being carried out especially in secondary and tertiary institutions. This will help us prevent and adapt to the ever increasing global warming. Conclusion In conclusion, people should be reminded that they share the earth and its resources with the other species that keep the ecosystem balanced, if the balance is gone then the life of every single species is threatened and even humans will not be spared from this (Schneider, S & Rasool 210).Media can play a role in educating the people of the phenomenon of global warming that has already taking a huge toll. Global warming is real and it will not disappear overnight. As we diligently take measures of preventing the major causes of global warming, in future the earth equilibriums will be restored. Planting trees is one of the best measures that can be adopted in diluting the carbon dioxide accumulated in the atmosphere.  According to WWF reports every single tree can absorb roughly one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime on average (Correa 141). Works Cited Correa, P, Correa, A & Askanas, M. Atmospheric electricity, latent heat, and ambipolar Radiation a new view of geophysics and meteorology, challenging the primacy of ionization theory, Akronos Publishing, Concord: Canada, 2003.Print.  Levitus, S et al. Warming of the world ocean. New York: America, 2000. Print. Levitus, S et al. Anthropogenic warming of Earth’s climate system. New York: America, 2001. Lindzen, R , Global warming: the origin and nature of the alleged scientific consensus, in Regulation, The Cato Review of Business and Government, 2004. www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n2g.html. Web 2014/04/14. Hays, JD et al , Variations in the Earths Orbit: Pacemaker of the Ice Ages. London, 1976. Print. Schneider, S & Rasool. Atmospheric carbon dioxide and aerosols effects of large increases on global climate, Science, Cambridge: Harvard UP,1971. Michael Jorgensen, (2004), post at:  www.freenewmexican.com/news/981.html. 2004. Web 2014/04/14 Kyoto count-up, www.junkscience.com/MSU_Temps/Kyoto_Count_Up.htm. 2005. 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