Climate Change in the United States - Unethical Behaviour Causes, What Engineering Can Do - Literature review Example

United States and Climate Change Name: Institute: Table of Contents United States and Climate Change 1 Table of Contents 2 United States and Climate Change 3 Introduction 3 Climate change in United States 4 Unethical behaviour causes 5 Implications and consequences 6 What can engineering do 8 Lesson learnt 8 Conclusion 10 References 11 United States and Climate Change Introduction There is a growing global concern about issues surrounding climate change in the United States as well as country's connection to wide-ranging global warming owing to the American position in global affairs and the sophisticated greenhouse gas emissions per capita. US, in 2012 recorded the warmest year in history, as well as the 13th warmest year to ever take place in the planet since 1998 (Grundstein, 2008). In a duration extending from 1950 to 2010, Knowlton et al. (2011) posit that the surface temperature record of the US government exhibits a rise by roughly 1° F. Without doubt, global warming has led to many changes in the United States; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for instance, reported that U.S. is experiencing changes such as ice melting during the start of spring, flowering of plants earlier, various animal species changing their environment towards northward, as well as disappearing of ice masses (O'Neal et al., 2005). Whereas forecasting future climate changes are burdened with complexity, akin to all statistical projections, a number of studies have cautioned against probable setbacks owing to US climate changes like the increase of invasive exotics as well as likelihood of droughts and floods. Dissimilarities in US regions matter considerably, for instance, famine situations is getting worse in the southwest whereas is getting better in the northeast. This essay will explain the unethical behaviour that causes of climate change in United States, implications and consequences of climate change in United States, and how engineering ethics put into practice solutions to make the environment safer. Climate change in United States Similar to other countries, the US has considerably been getting warmer over the last 5 decades in reaction to the upsurge of heat-trapping gases in the air. When analysing the impact of climate change, Knowlton et al. (2011) thinks that it is imperative to know that climate acts in response to global, regional, and local factors; as a result, the climate of a country differs more than the normal worldwide climate. Whereas different parts of the globe have experienced mainly cold or hot periods in the past, such periods in scale have not been global, but the scale of modern warming decades has been global; thus, the coining of the word global warming. Besides that it is as well imperative to know that at both the national as well as global scales, annual variations in climate patterns as well as natural weather conditions can generate a period that fails to pursue the long-standing tendency. Ever since the industrial revolution, Lal, Alavalapati, Mercer (2011) posit that the US has been the main heat-trapping gases emitter in the world. Global statistics indicate that roughly 28 percent of US population is responsible for the carbon dioxide as well as other heat-trapping gases induced by human in atmosphere at present. Even though China has lately outdone the US in present overall emissions per year, emissions per capita is still extremely high in the US. Human activities in US generate carbon dioxide, which according to Grundstein (2008) is a growing setback for the reason that it has a long-drawn-out atmospheric existence. Approximately 50% of the carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuel can stay in the air for almost 10 decades, and nearly 20% can stay in the atmosphere for 10 centuries. Emissions of carbon dioxide in U.S have radically grown over the last 10 decades, and these emissions source almost completely from burning fossil fuels (Knowlton et al., 2011). Carbon dioxide sources are just one part of the equation, so the other part is the sinks that absorb the released carbon dioxide. Grundstein (2008) assert that the growing trees as well as other vegetation are imperative since they are crucial sink for natural carbon. Lately, it was projected that roughly 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in US have been counterbalanced by growth of forest as well as other sinks. However, there is no adequate information whether forests as well as other sinks in US will keep on absorbing this amount of carbon dioxide in the years to come, given that climate change adjusts carbon emission as well as intake. Unethical behaviour causes Basically, climate is affected by a range of factors, both natural as well as human-induced. The rise in concentration of carbon dioxide has been the main factor bringing about global warming in the past 5 decades. CO2 concentration Lal, Alavalapati, and Mercer (2011) has been growing in the world’s atmosphere ever since the start of the industrialization epoch in the mid-1700s, largely because of the fossil fuels burning as well as the deforestation. In addition, human activities have augmented the other greenhouse gases emissions, like halocarbons, nitrous oxide, as well as methane. As a result, the Earth’s heat-trapping gases blanket in the atmosphere has been thickening because of these emissions, making the temperatures of the surface to ascend. Unethical behaviors in the factories and engineering industries such as heating gases lead to climate change. Engineering practices such as production of cement also generate CO2 as a by-product, and clearing of forests offers a carbon dioxide source and lessens its intake by trees as well as other vegetation. In the last few decades, almost 85% of human-induced CO2 emissions worldwide sourced from the burning fossil fuels, whereas almost 15% sourced from deforestation as well as related farming practices (Luber & Hess, 2007). In addition, CO2 concentration in the air has heightened by over 40% since the beginning of industrialization. Emissions of halocarbon originate from the discharge of particular chemical production to the air. Halocarbon examples include chlorofluorocarbon, which according to Lal, Alavalapati, and Mercer (2011) were utilised expansively in refrigeration as well as for other manufacturing practices prior to the discovery that their presence in the air caused depletion of stratospheric ozone. The abundance of these gases in the atmosphere is now decreasing as a result of international regulations designed to protect the ozone layer. Continuous decline in emissions of ozone-depleting halocarbon are projected to decrease their virtual impact on the future climate change. However, scores of halocarbon substitutes are powerful greenhouse gases, and O'Neal et al. (2005) claim that their concentrations are heightening. Besides that, human activities as well generate other regional as well as local effects, and a number of these activities somewhat counterbalance the warming brought about by greenhouse gases, whereas others heighten the global warming. Implications and consequences Experts say that the Earth might warm an additional 2 to 11.5°F this 21st century, only if the world falls short in reducing emissions caused by deforestation as well as burning of fossil fuels. Climate change leads to biodiversity loss, bearing in mind that thousands of species are endangered owing to dying environment, shifting bionetworks as well as acidifying oceans. Based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, almost 30 percent of species across the globe are increasingly in danger of extinction, probably by 2100 because of climate change. Climate change has also led to decline in polar bears: according to Knowlton et al. (2011) ice in arctic sea is the feeding environment for polar bear, but as the sea ice continues to fade away, the mortality rate of the bear has increased drastically. The polar bear in 2008, turned out to be the first living thing to be appended into the list of endangered species according to Endangered Species Act as a consequence of climate change. Besides that, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has cautioned that 70 percent of the polar bear populations in the world might be wiped out by 2050 as ice in the sea continues to melt. Climate change has also led to acidification of oceans: Grundstein (2008) affirm that almost 67% of the carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses from tailpipes as well as smokestacks are taken up by the world's oceans, wherein it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). A research carried out by Nature Geoscience (2010) cautioned that uncontrolled emissions of greenhouse gas might be able to make seas and oceans to acidify at an extremely high rate. What’s more, climate change has led to coral bleaching: according to O'Neal et al. (2005), coral reefs are extremely susceptible to diminutive water temperature changes, and it is believed that the heat prompts shedding of algae (bleaching), making the color of corals to change to white . Continuous warming might lead to mass bleaching, and as a result will lead to destruction of coral reefs. Another notable effect of climate change is the rise in sea level: statistics show that the sea levels rose by 7 inches in 20th century subsequent to 200 centuries of comparatively diminutive change. A report by IPCC in 2007 projected that the sea levels might go up by 5.4 to 58.42 centimeters by 2100, that is, if present climate patterns carry on. In the United States., a population of almost100 million people resides in coastal areas, and cities that are low-lying like New York and Boston are susceptible to intense rainfall and droughts. What can engineering do Engineers can do a lot to deter climate change; for instance, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has embarked on a first evaluation of various possible geo-engineering alternatives accessible under the program cooling the planet.  Based on the scores of engineering alternatives assessed that can reduce climate change, but only three have shown promising signs. The first is the artificial trees, wherein engineers can design and develop machines akin to trees, which can get rid of carbon dioxide from the air.  Basically, this takes place when air goes through the machine (the artificial tree) and carbon dioxide gets attached to the artificial leaves.  Afterwards, the carbon dioxide is eradicated and buried on the soil. Algae-coated buildings are the second promising engineering solution for climate change, whereby Algae CO2 is naturally absorbed by means of photosynthesis.  Algae strips according to O'Neal et al. (2005) can be incorporated to the outer surface of buildings and afterward sporadically harvested to be used as bio-fuel together with a carbon impounding resolution. The final engineering solution is construction of reflective buildings, bearing in mind that decreasing the solar radiation amount taken up by the climate system of the planet can cool the earth. Essentially, this can be accomplished by making buildings surfaces extra reflective, and as a result, reducing the sun rays heating effects to the world.  Lesson learnt Lesson that have learnt with regards to climate change is that it has led to a surge in wildfires, increased flooding, increased drought, more intense hurricanes, overwhelming heat waves, and air quality deterioration. Furthermore, we have learnt that concentration of carbon dioxide has heightened due to fossil fuels use in generating electrical, transportation, as well as household and manufacturing/engineering uses. We have seen that, activities carried out by human have altered the surface of land in a manner that changes the amount of heat taken up or reflected by the land surface. These changes consist of deforestation, converting natural plants areas into cities or agricultural fields, as well as all-encompassing irrigation. Such changes of the land surface may undoubtedly lead to local as well as regional cooling or warming. Challenge faced One essentially multifaceted challenge in stopping global warming is the straightforward actuality that energy is vital for innovation as well as progress. Worldwide use of energy continues to augment exponentially; therefore, every year companies must generate more energy to sustain worldwide fiscal and technological development. As Knowlton et al. (2011) indicate, in the wake of escalating threat of life-intimidating climate change, it is time for leaders to think what continuous development is actually of importance. Clearly, emissions of carbon dioxide are the main cause to climate change. Figures point out that with the present energy infrastructure, the world can just burn 20% of the world’s overall verified reserves of fossil-fuel exclusive of exceeding the 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit limit. Therefore, to deal with climate change, United States and the rest of the world must leave the majority of the fossil-fuel reserves unexplored. On account of the continually ever-increasing demand for energy, countries think reserves of fossil-fuel are extremely beneficial. The value of the fossil fuel reserves is roughly 170 trillion Euros, and that is why governments, who jointly own roughly 70% of the verified fossil fuel reserves, have never been enthusiastic on the subject of rules and regulations that tend to reduce emissions of CO2. Equally, fossil-fuel corporations are lobbying in opposition to legislation restraining CO2 emissions for their own financial benefits. However, Knowlton et al. (2011) maintain that civilization faces a disquieting question: such as must our financial system be sacrificed for our surroundings or vice versa? Based on the level of risk, Knowlton et al. (2011) posit that public worry has been noticeable by its nonexistence, and the reason for this position could be the intricacy of the challenge. Conclusion To sum up, it has been argued that climate change induced by human activities has led shifting of weather patterns worldwide. Whereas natural inconsistency goes on playing a crucial part in weather patterns, the change in climate in US has changed the odds and also shifted the natural limits; thus, making some forms of conditions more recurrent and more powerful such as draught and floods. Despite our comprehension of the impact of climate change, facts hint that continued utilisation of fossil fuels can worsen the situation. Engineers can help solve this catastrophe by designing and developing artificial trees that can absorb extra CO2 from the atmosphere. They can also build Algae-coated structures, and also erect reflective buildings. References Grundstein, A. (2008). Assessing Climate Change in the Contiguous United States Using a Modified Thornthwaite Climate Classification Scheme. Professional Geographer, 60(3), 398-412. Knowlton, K., Rotkin-Ellman, M., Geballe, L., Max, W., & Solomon, G. M. (2011). Six Climate Change-Related Events In The United States Accounted For About $14 Billion In Lost Lives And Health Costs. Health Affairs, 30(11), 2167-2176. Lal, P., Alavalapati, J. R., & Mercer, E. D. (2011). Socio-economic impacts of climate change on rural United States. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 16(7), 819-844. Luber, G. P., & Hess, J. M. (2007). Climate Change and Human Health in the United States. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(5), 43-4, 46. O'Neal, M. R., Nearing, M. A., Vining, R. C., Southworth, J., & Pfeifer, R. A. (2005). Climate change impacts on soil erosion in Midwest United States with changes in crop management. Catena (Giessen), 61(2-3), 165-184. Read More