Global Warming Issue - Essay Example

Global warming - McKibben (467) Global warming refers to a continuous increase of the globe climate system temperature leading to the depletion of the ozone layer. This layer supports environmental enrichment. Ecological evolutions have also led to the establishment of environmental philosophy. This ensures that there is a smooth co-existence between human beings and the environment. Some ideologies result in the destruction of the environment. According to Deborah (2013), environmental philosophy holds that the human beings are the only worthy things to be subjected to environmental study. This is because they are the only people who are the custodians and the stewards of the environment. They are responsible for the preservation for the environment. Environmental philosophy also explores the importance of environmental aesthetics. Environmental philosophy also entails the knowledge of the environment discovered in environmental research. In order to avert the problems associated with global warming fossil fuel, all nations must start making use of renewable energy sources. These sources of energy include wind, biomass, and sunlight. Environmental philosophy is a section of philosophy, which relates human co-existence with the natural environment. Global warming is a phenomenon, which emanates from naturalists and scientists. This concept was developed in 1960.this was because of the fear of the aftermath of nuclear bomb annihilations. This was also as a result of the many chemicals contained in various food webs. Additionally the toxic pesticides found in food webs informed the establishment of the environmental philosophy. The population of population is also contributed to formation of this phenomenon. This is because of the effect of depletion of natural resources. The aspect of pollution is another factor, which has led to the Global warming, which includes the environmental degradation. Technologies associated with energy are not satisfactory in their applications thus there are environmental aspects which need to be addressed with regard to these energies (Black, 2009). This research paper sheds light on some of the effects of renewable technology. The paper also suggests appropriate and plausible remedies to these effects. However, these technologies are a source of livelihood for millions of people across the globe. This is the most environment-friendly source of energy ever known. This owes to the fact that it causes no air or water pollution to environment because its generation does not involve toxic substances. Furthermore, this energy source guarantees physical safety to the public unlike other sources of energy. The only dislike for this energy source emanates from the sound pollution wind-turbines cause during generation of power. Furthermore, this energy source requires use of huge pieces of land in order to generate reliable levels of energy. However, the turbines occupy a small land thus the rest of the land can be utilized for agriculture. This makes this source of energy the most appropriate for farming regions. This implies that land value is increased through these dual uses. However, there can be conflicts in land usage which can arise from clearing of trees of water catchment areas. Moreover, many people argue that there presence reduces the value of properties. The turbines have rotors which kill birds especially the eagles, when they are spinning. Electric current generated also kills these birds. According to Deborah (2013) Strategic planning can be done in order to eliminate the shortfalls of this source of energy. In addition, the wind industry has to liaise with the environmental organizations to resolve some of these problems. This energy source produces no pollution when energy generated. However, there are environmental and health problems caused by the production of this solar energy. In addition the raw fossil fuel used in generation of this energy generates emissions which pollute the environment. Therefore, there should be proper planning and analysis on the amount of fossil energy to be used based on the appropriate technology and climate. However, this energy source is cost-effective as compared to other sources of energy. This source performs better than electric energy. The materials used in solar systems create health and safety risks for workers. For instance, the photovoltaic cell manufacturing requires perilous materials like arsenic and cadmium substances. Inert silicon, which is used in the solar panels, is also dangerous when inhaled. Therefore anybody who comes into contact with such substances should use protective. The workers who manufacture cells and related components are vulnerable. The other danger is that fumes emitted by the photovoltaic modules are hazardous. There is an additional-probably very small-danger that hazardous fumes released from photovoltaic modules attached to burning homes or buildings could injure fire fighters. Another problem encountered is the need for water to cool the solar power plants. This owes to the fact that desert places are chosen for generation of this energy because this is the place where solar is abundant and large portion of land per unit of solar energy produced is required yet water is scarce in his areas. However, strategic and regulatory measures can reduce the impact of these problems on the environment. Another remedy is to do small-scale generation solar energy because sunlight is dispersed in order to resolve the problems associated with central generation of power. Biomass power is obtained when plant matter is burnt but it causes more problems to the environment than any other renewable source of energy. When biomass is burnt it produces emissions which lead to air pollution. According to energies (Black, 2009), there is wastage of land to grow energy crops instead of growing subsistence crops for alleviation of hunger among the citizens. This source of energy majorly involves conversion and production methods which have different repercussions on the environment. The emissions from the common biomass-fueled power plants are like those from coal-fired power plants but biomass-fueled facilities emit less sulfur dioxide and toxic metals like cadmium and mercury. Nevertheless, these power plants emit particulate emissions which must be eliminated by designated devices. Given the negative impact of these plants, hi-tech ways have been devised on power generation, like whole-tree burner which has three combustion stages, and the combustion turbine combination. This result to less air pollution because fewer emissions are produced when this technology is employed compared to the use of natural gas. In addition, when facilities of municipals burn, waste hazardous emissions are produced. Co-firing RDF in coal-fired power plants is a reliable remedy because this provides may provide a cheap method of reducing emissions from coal. Use of methanol and ethanol obtained from biomass as fuel for vehicle leads to reduction in pollution arising from vehicles compared to use of ordinary gasoline. This owes to the fact that both methanol and ethanol gases evaporate slowly compared to gasoline hence reducing the rate of evaporation of volatile compounds .These compounds react with heat and sunlight which results to ground-level ozone . Carbon monoxide and the volatile emissions shall be reduced greatly compared to gasoline emissions. Others people argue that these results are only based on tailpipe emissions. Volatile compounds produce aldehyde which is less in vehicles burning alcohol. Therefore, use of methanol will eventually result to reduction in the ozone a very which is a source of livelihood across the globe. On the other hand urban areas need hyper car model vehicles which use electricity as a source of power, instead of alcohol fueled vehicles Deborah (2013). The implications of growing energy plants are that it leads to the improvement of the quality of soil and improvement in the economic viability of a farm. These crops can be a source of regular income for the farmers especially during off-season periods. In addition, unused land is utilized without having to look for sophisticated equipment. Moreover, soil erosion and flooding effects are reduced by planting of the energy crops. For instance trees would be planted and be harvested after several years. The trees’ roots and leaves could play a big role in maintaining the quality of the soil. The planting of energy crops like coppicing would eliminate improper land usage. In addition Perennial grass which is usually harvested as hay could also contribute positively to the proper land usage. Furthermore, annual crops result in less effective use of land compared to switch grass. In case this type of farming is not properly done, it could have negative effects on the environment (Black, 2009). In addition if this farming is done in large scale, it results to increased use of chemicals because there will be increased use of land, given that fertilizer and other chemicals are used in cultivation. Moreover, biodiversity could be negatively affected because forests, which are the habitat of the wild animals and other animals could be destroyed leaving no place for the animals to inhabit. If agricultural or forestry wastes and residues were used for fuel, then soils could be depleted of organic content and nutrients unless care was taken to leave enough wastes behind. There is need for regulating and monitoring energy crop growth, development and waste usage because soils could be deprived of nutrients if agricultural wastes are used for fuel .Organic farming which lays more emphasis on crop rotation is the remedy for the short-comings of energy generation from greenhouses. A new effort for food crops emphasizes crop rotation. In addition, integrated management of pest, and appropriate soil husbandry will lead to increase in profits and production levels. These techniques can be applied in energy farming, whereby nitrogen-fixing crops can be utilized in the provision of natural fertilizer. On the other hand, diversity in crops, and use of pest parasites and predators could be used in order to reduce use of harmful chemicals like and use of pest parasites and predators could reduce pesticide use. Increase of the amount of forest wood used for energy has benefits and short-comings because it provides an incentive for the products of forest industry in order to make effective and efficient use of its resources (Tack, 2012). In the long-term this will result in high standards of health of the forest and its inhabitants. Unfortunately, this could provide a lee-way in exploitation to exploit forests in an unsustainable fashion. Commercial forests have not been managed well, and many people feel threatened by the increase in the cutting of wood. However, government controls have allayed such fears on undue forest encroachment. This undoing has been replaced with sound forestry management policies and principles. Indeed, energy could be tapped from the forests for a very long time if these policies are implemented by the forestry authorities. Despite the above efforts, hydropower is approaching the limit of its potential in terms of its viability (Westra, 2008). Although some hydro facilities can be upgraded though the use of hi-tech methods in order to create reliable and efficient turbines, other plants can be repaired, and the number of small-scale plants can be increased. The total energy produced from the hydropower generation process may increase at decreasing rate and reduce in the long-run because of increased demand for water (Deborah 2013). There is increasing demand from the agriculture sector, domestic use, and the declining levels of water in mainstreams which is caused by reduction in rainfall, are posing danger to aquatic life. Nature and environment are related because the environment is part of nature. The environment surrounds the society and it constitutes of the emotional state of people. Environments also differ depending on the region of the world.an environment is also defined by the kind of people inhabiting the place. The form of technology adopted at a particular place also defines and environment. According to (Black, 2009), the preservation of the environment is the key emphasis of environmental philosophy. This includes the usage of renewable energy and other forms of innovations. The major correlation between nature and the environment is that human beings are naturally created. The geographical features like the Lakes Mountains, islands, volcanoes and rivers are also part of the environment. The natural environment is God-created hence man has no obligation in its formation. There is a difference between human designed environment and an environment, which is not designed by man. The latter is considered a natural environment because its existence is natural. According to Black (2006), ecology enables the distinguishing between natural and man-made environments. The co-existence between the environment and man determines the natural environment. Population is also a factor, which determines the amount of resources needed to sustain the people. Overpopulation leads to depletion of the natural resources. The scientific and the industrial revolutions have led to a slight balance between the death rates and birth rates.th has served to maintain the world population (Brower, 2009). Population has a direct impact on the natural environment and human designed environment. There human-built environments lead to pollution of the environment and contribute to various social evils like drug addiction and moral decadence. References Deborah B. R. Val Plumwood’s Philosophical animism:attentive interactions in the sentient world. Environmental Humanities, vol. 3, 2013, pp. 93-109. Black, B. .Environmnetal Ethics.An interdisciplinary Journal dedicated to the philosophical aspects of environmental problems,vol.31:2, 2009, 169-181. Jones, M. Mckibben. (2013). The New york review of Books, 3(2): 2010, pp.467. Black, B. (2006), Nature and the Environment in Twentieth-Century American Life. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. Brower, M. (2009). Cool Energy: Renewable Solutions to Environmental Problems. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Westra, L. (2008). The Business of Consumption: Environmental Ethics and the Global Economy. Lanham [u.a.: Rowman & Littlefield. Tack, K. (2012). The Discovery of Global Warming. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Read More