Global Warming: Its Effects and What Needs to Be Done - Annotated Bibliography Example

Global Warming and Climate Change AEIS 108 Research Question: Global Warming Its Effects And What Needs To Be Done ? The focus of this paper is to understand the effects of global warming and how it has negatively affected the environment. It will further assess the solutions that should be devised to overcome this problem. Global warming is an important issue because it has drastically changed the world that we live in today over the years. Technological advancements have made life easier on one hand, but on the other hand, they have brought with them many disadvantages. The fumes released by the industries into the atmosphere as well as the gases released from motor vehicles have resulted in not only polluting the atmosphere but they have also led to the warming of the environment. Deforestation and invasion into the natural surroundings by humans has led to the loss of the natural ways of getting rid of pollutants and gases like carbon dioxide are not eliminated from the atmosphere. The causes of global warming are several and they have initiated a cascade of events which are damaging the planet. It is important that the effects and negativities associated with global warming are understood by the human race because only with this realization will there be practical steps to tackle the matter. An insight into the effects of global warming will not only make the individuals and the governments realize the extent of the devastation of the natural environment which has already taken place due to global warming but it will also bring the issue into limelight. It will create an understanding amongst the masses and international organizations that global warming should be effectively tackled through strategic policies to save the environment and make the world a better place to live in. With this research, I expect to find the changes that have resulted due to the warming phenomenon. The paper will explore the different earth systems that have been affected including the seas, the forests and the wildlife. It will also try to highlight the solutions that should be devised to overcome the results of global warming so that this process can be slowed if not stopped and further damage can be prevented to the environment. Annotated Bibliography Kerr, R. A., & Kintisch, E. (May 27, 2010). NRC Reports Strongly Advocate Action on Global Warming. Science, 328, 5982, 1085. The article, "NRC Reports Strongly Advocate Action on Global Warming" by Kerr and Kintisch appeared in the Science Magazine in 2010. The authors reflected upon the three reports that were compiled by the National Academies National Research Council(NRC) in 2010 and were completed over a two year period with the hard work of ninety scientists. The reports tried to persuade the Americans that global warming was a serious matter and it was high time to deal with it. A member of the NRC panel, Pamela Matson who was involved in the report put forward that there was no doubt in the fact that the climate of the world was altering and the actions of human beings were the primary cause. The report was completed by utilizing different peer reviewed literature sources from the last five years as well as several reports that had been done by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Along with this, previous compilations of the National Academy of Sciences were also viewed. The NRC guided its members to provide with relevant policies to curb the issue and it specified that the input from the members should be "policy relevant" rather than "policy prescriptive." Despite of this, a goal was recommended that the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere should be restricted to a range of 170 to 200 gigatons from the year 2012 to 2050. Stephen Schneider who was a climate specialist and worked at the Stanford University, appreciated the report and claimed that the NRC had gone beyond the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by providing with specific targets and recommendations to be met. He also explained that the recommendations like the restriction of emissions was similar to the target that the Obama Administration had also put forward. But the article highlighted that the question of concern was that whether this recommendation put forward by the Obama Administration and supported by the report of the NRC would be implemented as a law or not. This was because other Senators had proposed similar proposals but they were lenient and did not hold the same advantage in global warming reduction. But there was still a ray of hope that these reports would assist in the enactment of laws to deal with global warming. The article is important with regard to the research question because it clearly provides an expert opinion that global warming is a grave issue affecting the United States. The article goes further and emphasized that laws which manage emissions in the country should be created to put a stop to global warming and prevent its negative effects. Pockley, P. (2000). Global warming identified as main threat to coral reefs. Nature, 407, 6807. The article "Global warming identified as main threat to coral reefs" written by Peter Pockley and published in the year 2000 highlights the poor state of the coral reefs around the globe and identifies global warming as being the major cause for the damage to the reefs globally. The article shed light upon the proceedings and surveys presented at the International Coral Reef Symposium that was held at Bali, Indonesia. The first survey showed that prior to 1998, eleven percent of the coral reefs around the world had already undergone damage. In 2000, another study of the reefs in 80 nations around the world showed a darker picture as twenty seven percent of the reefs were reported to be destroyed. This assessment was done by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network which worked under the International Coral Reef Initiative. The assessment further revealed that fourteen percent of the coral reefs were at risk and they could be destroyed within the next 210 years and an additional eighteen percent were susceptible to being lost in the next 1030 years. The most extensive damage was reported in the Indian Ocean with fifty nine percent of the reefs being lost and this was followed by the Middle East where thirty percent of the coral reefs had been destroyed. Southeast and East Asia ranked next with thirty four percent of the coral reefs being lost and the Caribbean/ Atlantic had a loss of twenty percent. A positive picture was only seen in the Pacific and across Australia where the reefs were in a good condition. Both these studies were coordinated by Clive Wilkinson who was working at the Australian Institute of Marine Science(AIMS). Wilkinson and his colleague from AIMS, Terry Done explained that human activities including excessive fishing, sewage and other pollutants were accounting for the loss of reefs. They also indicated that the climatic alterations resulting due to global warming were also affecting the reefs tremendously in a negative fashion. Wilkinson and Done emphasized that the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere should be reduced to save the reefs. A positive aspect that was pointed out by Wilkinson was that the countries around the globe were understanding the negative outcomes of global warming and were asking for assistance for resolving the damage. The article provides an answer to the negative effects that are brought about by global warming. It highlights the global impact of the warming on the marine system and how it can result in a loss of the reefs across the world if the issues is not tackled effectively. The article shows that in just a period of two years that is from 1998 to 2000, the damage to the coral reefs more than doubled from eleven percent to twenty seven percent. Randerson, J. T. (2013). Climate science: Global warming and tropical carbon. Nature, 494, 7437, 319-20. The article "Climate science: Global warming and tropical carbon" by James T. Randerson highlights an intriguing phenomenon that following climatic changes and a rise in carbon dioxide it is not necessary that a forest dieback may be seen. Randerson first explains the importance of forests in the natural environment that they are actively involved in carbon recycling and assist in keeping the environmental levels of carbon dioxide low. He then strengthens his points by explaining the Earth system models where the carbon dioxide cycle has been understood after integration with the global climate model. He provides various examples including the example of the Amazon where a rise in the levels of carbon dioxide led to a reduction in precipitation followed by die off of the forests. This cascade is referred to as a positive climate carbon feedback where alteration in the climate results in a change in the carbon cycle followed by further warming of the environment. Following this clarification, Randerson puts forward a study done by Cox et al who examined various Earth system models as well as the levels of carbon dioxide and he reached to a conclusion that the levels of carbon dioxide which were estimated to result from climate changes were actually an overestimation of the original value. Thus, climate changes would not result in forest dieback according to this study. But Randerson clarifies his point and concludes that further studies are needed to understand this concept and forest dynamics need to be properly explored before reaching to a conclusion. He also states that the levels of carbon dioxide in association with fires, photosynthesis as well as from the respiratory mechanisms of plants and microorganisms need to be estimated before a definite conclusion is achieved. The article by Randerson is helpful for the research question because it provides another side of the picture by putting forward a study that highlights that the levels of carbon dioxide do not have a negative effect on the environment. But it leaves many questions unanswered and mentions that further research is needed which upholds the fact that the current research which shows the negativities of global warming cannot be ignored. Solomon, D.B & Adler, M. J. (1990). "Letters: Global Warming". Fulkerson, W., Reister, D. B., Perry, A. M., Crane, A. T., Kash, D. E., & Auerbach, S. I. Response. Science. 247, 620. Solomon and Adler submitted in their letter in response to the article "Global Warming" written by Fulkerson et al that the focus of Fulkerson and his colleagues in the article was mainly on research and development (R & D) for overcoming global warming. Solomon and Adler argued that though R&D was much needed to find ways to tackle with the issue, but solely relying upon R&D was not an effective solution. They further explained that programs which would assist in the effective utilization of energy were also a suitable option. Furthermore, they highlighted that strategies which were cost effective and had a positive social and environmental impact were to be considered. Examples of these included reforestation as well as reduction in the production of chlorofluorocarbons. They also elaborated on the fact that Fulkerson et al had wrongly claimed that there were no alternatives available to replace fossil fuels and that R&D was needed to find for alternate energy sources. Solomon and Adler claimed that there were technologies which focused upon optimal usage of energy and some of these technologies were not as expensive as fossil fuels. They claimed that only R&D was not needed, demonstration of the different methods available to replace energy was important. They also indicated that government efforts were needed which included lower taxes and the equal treatment for both the fossil and the non-fossil sources of energy. They supported their claim with an example that New York and California were under the process of enacting programs for the utilization of non-fossil energy sources for electricity production and these alternates would provide for both environmental as well as social benefits. They concluded that an overall effective program which included all these aspects was needed and global warming could not merely be tackled by R&D. Responding to the letter, Fulkerson et al put forward their points and explained that they totally agreed with the perspectives of Solomon and Adler and that although the main purpose of their paper was the utilization of R&D, they also supported the usage of alternate energy sources and efficient energy utilization paths which were economically and environmentally beneficial. Fulkerson et al explained that in the current situation, the fossil fuels could not be completely replaced by non fossil energy sources and it is for this reason that they had primarily focused upon R&D so that the shortage of energy could be met and effective energy sources could also be achieved. They further elaborated that global warming should be handled not only by R&D but rather by Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D). They explained that the developing nations were in a dire need of cost effective energy sources and this need could only be accomplished by (RD&D). This letter as well as the response are significant for my research question because they provide an insight into the effective strategies that are needed to reduce global warming. They explain that an integrated approach that focuses on many factors including research, development, demonstration as well as the utilization of the currently available social and environmentally effective alternatives are needed to curb this issue. IPCC. (2007). Effects of Global Warming. Signs are Everywhere. National Geographic. Retrieved from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects/ The article" Effects of Global Warming. Signs are Everywhere" which was published in the National Geographic in the year 2007, explains the widespread effects of global warming which include the rising temperature of the planet, melting of the glaciers as well as alterations in the patterns of precipitation and the effect on the wildlife as well. The melting of sheets of ice has already been observed in various parts of the world including the West Antarctica as well as Greenland and level of the sea has risen at a fast pace. The wildlife has also been affected and animals like Adélie penguins that are the inhabitants of Antartica have reduced from 32000 to 11000 over a period of three decades. Other animals like foxes and butterflies have migrated to areas where the weather is cooler. Insects like spruce bark beetles have greatly increased in Alaska and have eaten up spruce trees on an area of approximately four million acres. If the warming continues at a similar pace, there would be devastating effects noted on the planet including a surge in the sea levels as well as droughts and floods. Sea storms and hurricanes would have a higher magnitude and many wildlife species would become extinct. The number of various diseases like malaria would increase across the globe. This article is of great assistance for the research question as the IPCC has provided a list of disadvantages associated with the global warming. Not only does the article highlight the changes in the temperature, but it goes further and explains the impact of this change which includes the extinction of species and an alteration in the ecological system and natural environment. Brady, T. (2014, March 30). UN report warns of the devastating effects of global warming which could lead to WARS between nations and food shortages. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2592650/UN-report-warns-devastating-effects-global-warming-lead-wars-nations-food-shortages.html Tara Brady in the article, "UN report warns of the devastating effects of global warming which could lead to WARS between nations and food shortages" that appeared in the Daily Mail in 2014, elaborates on the report of the United Nations on the negative effects associated with global warming. The article explains that according to the UN report the world would become a very difficult place to live in if global warming continues at its current pace because this phenomenon would form the basis of civil wars, security issues as well as result in the shortage of food supplies across the globe. The report claims that the ski resorts in Alpine would cease to exist along with the beaches in the Caribbean. Along with this, agriculture would be affected and a mild increase in temperature would result in a fall in crop production by two percent in every ten years. Also "pockets of vulnerability" will be formed around the world due to the rising temperatures. With the ongoing warming phenomenon, London is at the risk of being flooded and the temperatures can also shoot to very high levels during the summer months. The report further states that global conflicts will increase due to global warming and UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon claimed in 2007 that the unrest in Western Sudan was also due to the changing climate. Security issues will also result because people will migrate and owing to this rise in the migration and the surge in refugees, security management will become difficult. The article effectively answers the research question and explains the negative impact of global warming on the world. It not only highlights the effect of climate on the natural environment like food shortages, rising sea levels and floods but it also reveals its direct effects on the human race including conflicts and security problems that may result indirectly due to global warming. Answer to Research Question: Global Warming : Its Effects And What Needs To Be Done? Global Warming is a serious threat to the natural environment of the human beings. The rising temperatures of the Earth can result in extremely devastating effects for the human race and their surroundings. A rise in the temperature is owing to the increase in the greenhouse gases. The raised temperature serves as the culprit and has resulted in the melting of glaciers, a rise in the sea levels and has raised the susceptibility of natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. Food shortages due to its effect of agricultural productivity and resulting conflicts are another negative effect of global warming. The wildlife has also been affected due to this warming phenomenon and animals like penguins have reduced in numbers and many other animal species have also become extinct. Animals have left their natural habitats and migrated to cooler areas. Not only this, certain insects like beetles have increased and they have provided for the destruction of a large number of trees. The direct effect of global warming on human beings is that it can increase the spread of diseases like malaria. Indirectly, it can lead to conflicts and security issues due to the migration of a large number of people and the resulting refugees would pose a security threat. The marine life is also endangered and many coral reefs have been eradicated and still others are at risk of dying out. Research, development and demonstration practices are needed to curb the issue of global warming. This will only be achievable if research is carried out and at the same time alternate methods of energy utilization though non-fossil energy sources are used. The National Academies National Research Council(NRC) has presented several reports with regard to this and in a report in 2010, the NRC suggested that emission budgeting should be done and a target should be set for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from170 to 200 gigatons from the year 2012 to 2050 in the United States. Such policies would prove to be effective if they are enacted by the government. Thus, an overall plan that targets to reduce emissions and at the same time focuses on the utilization of alternate energy sources should be devised to overcome the problem of global warming. Read More