Global Warming - Causes and Consequences - Essay Example

Global warming al Affiliation: Global warming The environment is important to everyone in the society regardless of where they come from or what they do. Global warming is an issue that affects all people. Those who participate in causing it and the innocent all suffer its adverse effects. It is, therefore, a global issue of concern. This paper will discuss in details the causes of global warming and will also provide evidence to support the claim that global warming is an issue of global concern. The paper will discuss the natural and man-made causes of global warming and will also briefly discuss the consequences of global warming. Global warming is defined as the consistent increase in temperatures of the earth’s surface, land, water and the air near the surface (Haldar, 2011). It is also defined as the amplification of temperatures of the earth due to industrial pollution, agricultural practices, natural gas emissions and burning of fossil fuels. It occurs when greenhouse gases are released in large quantities leading to solar radiations reaching the earth’s surface (Haldar, 2011). The short wave radiations increase the earth’s temperatures and in turn the atmospheric changes occur. This continuous increase of temperature is a significant threat to human existence and survival. Over the last two decades, the effects of global warming have become adverse and have led to the issue being discussed in global and international forums (Haldar, 2011). Greenhouse gases have continued to build up in the atmosphere over time, and thus the heat-trapping ability of the earth has increased. Natural Causes of global warming The causes of global warming can be classified into two broad categories; natural and manmade causes. Natural causes of global warming are those that are created naturally. All over the world, wetlands emit methane gas and frosty tundra. These gases are released naturally by the wetlands. These gases are greenhouse gases and have ability to trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere. The earth undergoes a cycle of atmospheric gases change. Scientists argue that the atmospheric cycle takes at least 40000 years to complete a full cycle (Maslin, 2007). During this cycle, the percentage of gases change and this leads to global warming. The increase in the percentage of greenhouse gases leads to an increment in the amount of heat trapped in the earth and hence global warming occurs. Deforestation is one of the prime causes of global warming and can either be a natural or a man-made cause. Some forest fires occur naturally and wipe out many forests. The clearance of trees leads to accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that in turn causes global warming. Ocean water contains a lot of carbon dioxide due to the ecosystem supported in the water (Haldar, 2011). Although it is not a primary cause, the high percentage of CO2 leads to global warming. The north and south poles of the earth are very cold. Due to the temperatures in these regions, frozen carbon has been accumulated over time. Any disturbances in this regions lead to melting of the permafrost and hence releasing the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Most of the frozen carbon is due to the carbon cycle and releasing of the gas causes atmospheric imbalance and hence global warming. Solar activities have changed, and the changes have influenced a change in the earth’s solar radiation levels. Changes in solar radiation in turn lead to short term warming cycles (Haldar, 2011). Due to this, the sun has formed sunspots known as faculae that increase the radiations reaching the earth. The amount of water in the atmosphere has increased due to carbon dioxide-induced warming. The water vapor in the atmosphere in turn traps a lot of heat which causes global warming. Man-made causes of global warming Global warming is mainly caused by irresponsible human activities. Some causes are not controllable while others are due to the ignorance of human beings. 80%of the causes of global warming fall under manmade causes. Man-made causes of global warming lead to an increase in greenhouse gases that in turn trap infra-red radiation that are emitted from the earth. Most parts of the world have industrialized and therefore burning of fuels to produce energy is the norm all over the world. Burning of fuels leads to the production of carbon dioxide that is the most significant cause of global warming (Haldar, 2011). The carbon dioxide from burnt fuels increases the percentage of the total carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. The high percentage of CO2 absorbs infrared energy that should have been released into space. The high energy requirements to meet the demands of industrial growth are another major cause of global warming. In the United States, 40% of all the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere comes from electricity production (Maslin, 2007). Burning of coal is the major source of electricity, and it produces a lot of carbon dioxide that in turn causes global warming. The number of automobiles has increased. The desire of people to drive their own cars has also increased and hence many people own and drive their cars. Burning of gasoline in cars leads to emission of carbon dioxide. It is the leading cause of pollution and global warming in the USA. Pollution due to cars accounts for more than one-third of carbon emission globally. In the USA alone, the carbon released from vehicles amounts to 3.5 % of global warming (Maslin, 2007). Plants help in storage of carbon and hence maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere. In the recent past, the rate at which human beings cut trees has increased. Increased agricultural activities have led to clearing of forests. Moreover, the high demand for housing has led cutting down of trees so as to obtain timber for construction. Due to this, the free carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has accumulated. Refrigeration has become the norm in the modern world as the demands for preservation increases. Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons are the major components used in refrigeration (Maslin, 2007). Their use increases their percentage in the atmosphere and hence causes global warming. Although their percentage is lower than that of CO2, they still remain a substantial cause of global warming. Agricultural activities have increased in all parts of the world. The use of fertilizers for farming has also increased. Application of fertilizers leads to nitrogen escaping into the atmosphere. Nitrogen is more harmful that carbon since it traps more heat per volume. Use of fertilizers in farming is, therefore, a major cause of global warming. Mining activities have increased due to industrial demands. Mining leads to release of greenhouse gases such as methane that cause global warming. Mining involves disturbing the soil, and gases trapped in the soil get an opportunity to go into the atmosphere (Haldar, 2011). Most of the gases in the soil are greenhouse gases, and they cause global warming. The population of the earth has increased over time. The population demands space and food. Due to this, more land has to be cultivated and trees have to be cut down to meet the housing demands. Therefore, population increase is an indirect cause of global warming. Evidence for global warming According to research by scientists such as murphy, Schuckman and Trenberth, there is an imbalance of energy on earth and accumulation of heat is steady (Maslin, 2007). The tropical belt has continually widened over the three decades. The upper atmosphere is under cooling and contraction whose major cause is the heat trapped in the atmosphere. Antarctic ice loss has increased over time indicating that the heat in the atmosphere has increased. Glaciers all over the world are shrinking at a high rate indicating that global warming is a reality (Maslin, 2007). Conclusion Global warming is an issue of concern. Its major causes are man-made and so can be avoided. The effects of global warming are very harsh and can be avoided. Understanding the causes of global warming is the first step towards solving it. References Haldar, I. (2011). Global warming: The causes and consequences. New Delhi: Mind Melodies. Maslin, M. (2007). Global warming. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press. Read More