The Effects of Global Warming - Essay Example

Global Warming Introduction The climate has constantly been changing over the past decades. Much exploration has been done to find out exactly why the climate has been behaving indifferently of late. Scientists and scholars have done numerous investigations, documenting much on what is causing the alteration of the climate. However, the most acknowledged reason by both groups is global warming. Global warming is the steady increase in the atmospheric temperature of the earth. The increase in atmospheric temperature is attributed to increased levels of CFC’s, carbon dioxide, and many other pollutants in the environment. Because the temperature has been virtually increasing, the question that begs is; what are the consequences of this significant increase in temperature? Through the eyes of two authors, this essay will delve into the effects of global warming. Just like there are two sides of a coin, there are the positive and negative attributes of global warming. As a result, this essay will look at both the positive and negative effects of global warming. The authors are Matt Rosenberg, the author of the article “Negative Effects of Global Warming” and Matt Ridley, who is the author of the article “why climate change is good for the world”. These are the authors whose views on global warming will be scrutinized when critically discussing the consequences of global warming. Matt Rosenberg is a geography professor who has greatly contributed to the comprehension of the whole process of climate change. Matt Ridley is an environmental scientist who has worked with National Geographic for more than three decades. According to Rosenberg, global warming is detrimental to both human beings and the environment. Higher temperatures cause the glacial ice on the poles to melt. After melting, the water flows into the river and ocean systems, causing the sea level to increase significantly (Rosenberg). As Rosenberg explains, the increase in sea level is what causes the flooding of lowlands. The results are; flood, loss of property and deaths on a massive scale. As Rosenberg explains, this is so far the worst effect of global warming. Rosenberg says that hurricanes like Katrina, Sandy and tsunamis have been witnessed in this era, all because of global warming. Millions of lives have been tragically lost because such environmental perils and properties worth billions of shillings damaged. Rosenberg particularly refers to Hurricane Andrew that hit Florida in 1992, causing losses worth an estimated thirty billion dollars! In addition, he also mentions Hurricane Katrina that occurred in 2005, causing losses to the tune of a hundred and thirty billion dollars’ worth of damage and two thousand deaths (Rosenberg). Ridley argues that changes in climatic conditions have done more good than harm. According to him, it is more likely to continue doing so for the most part of this century. Ridley begins his argument by saying that global warming has far improved the welfare of mankind. When the glacial ice melts away from the Iceland, it creates more land for cultivation. In addition, Ridley comments that there are chances of fewer droughts in the future thanks to global warming. Since the sea level increases as an after effect of global warming, there probably will be fewer droughts. The result is an increase in food security because the previously barren piece of land is made available for cultivation; with enough water to tenure the newly found pieces of land. Ridley asks, “How can this be a bottleneck while nature is generously providing us with more land to tenure?” Not many people align with this notion, but Ridley strongly supports this idea; his idea (Ridley). Rosenberg gives a completely different view regarding the issue of food security. Because of a drastic change in the climatic pattern, it is difficult to predict and plan for the yield expected from a given parcel of land. As a result of the change in the climate, the crops that would flourish in the summer will probably die off should the climate suddenly change to winter. Similarly, crops that would flourish is autumn will wither off should the climate change to one that does not support the flourishing of a particular crop. Thus, Rosenberg suggests that if these unpredictable changes in the climate pattern persist, the whole world might starve to death. The reason is not that we had not adequately prepared ourselves, but because of the unpredictability of the pattern of the climate. Food shortages will be experienced because of changes in agricultural productions. The consequences; malnutrition, starvation and increased deaths due to inconsistency in food production (Rosenberg). Ridley goes on to expound on how global warming has undeniably saved economies millions of dollars in utility costs. Because of an increase in the atmospheric temperature, many households need not pay huge electricity bills to warm their houses. Ridley explains that, as the temperature increases due to global warming, houses tend to become warmer. Global warming, therefore, diminishes the need for using electrical gadgets to get our homes, offices, and schools warm during whatever season. Ridley states that global warming has far cut on heating bills than it has inflated cooling costs. As a result, capital costs are significantly reduced. To add to this, Ridley says that global warming helped reduce winter mortality rates by 18% in Greece and Britain. Over the preceding decade, Brits have died from cold at an average rate of 30,000 excess deaths over those caused by heat waves. Heat waves have claimed more than fifteen thousand lives in France alone and a negligible two thousand in Britain. In the United States, more than 110, 000 deaths were reported in 2008, 6,000 in Canada in 2006 and 8,000 in Australia. For that reason, according to Ridley, a rise in temperature is warranted (Ridley). Winter comes with many diseases like heart failures and strokes, so an increase in the atmospheric temperature is more than welcome. Rosenberg’s view on increased atmospheric temperature and deaths contrasts Ridley’s. According to Rosenberg, many people die in the whole world as a result of extreme heat waves than winter associated illnesses like hypothermia and asthma. According to Rosenberg, heat waves kill ten times more people in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Rosenberg suggests that scientist’s project that heat waves will become six times more frequent in the future. To him, curtailing the effects of the heat wave will have a major effect on the rate of heat wave mortality rates in the imminent future (Rosenberg). Common Grounds Through the eyes of Rosenberg and Ridley, it is evident that global warming has both its benefits as well as demerits. Global warming has been a subject of argument in many fields of research and still will be. Rosenberg and Riley have contrasting points of view on this issue of global warming, Riley clearly highlights why he thinks global warming is beneficial to human beings and the environment as well. Rosenberg, on the other hand, highlights the bottlenecks of an increase in the atmospheric pressure on the environment and humans as well. Regardless of their contrasting points of view, both articles have one common ground; global warming has an effect on the environment and human beings. Despite the fact, that the effects are both positive and negative, the reality is that global warming as a phenomenon has an impact on the environment and human beings. Global warming influences the way human beings relate to the environment, albeit both positively and negatively. Conclusion This essay critically looks into two compositions engineered by two autonomous authors. It has effectively discussed both perspectives on global warming, through the lens of Ridley’s and Rosenberg’s articles. Although they put forth different and opposing views, both authors have a common ground; that global warming indeed has an effect on human beings and the environment. Without doubt, the effects of global warming have continued to unfold in the 21st century making many people worry about the sustainability of the future. Works Cited Ridley, Matt. Why Climate Change Is Good For The World. The Spectator, 19th October 2013. Web. 25th Feb. 2015. Rosenberg, Matt. What Are The Disadvantages Of Global Warming?.About.com Education, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Read More