Global Warming and its Effects - Essay Example

Global Warming Name Unit Class Introduction Global warming is defined as the increase of the average earth temperature (Anderson, 2012). This is especially if the temperature change is enough to lead to a change in global climate. At the moment, global warming poses the biggest challenge to the world environment. The impacts of global warming have been felt in many areas globally with diverse effects. The impacts include extreme weather, reduction of glacier, changes in the number and distribution of wildlife among others. The effects are bound to be felt for a long time as the green pollution stays in the environment for a long time. The average temperatures on the surface of earth have increased than what was there in previous records. The main cause of global warming is greengas effect (Scherer, 2012). The increase in the green gases that are trapped in the earth atmosphere enhances entrapment of higher solar radiations. Increased radiations lead to rise in overall global temperature. This essay will analyze global warming and its effects. Global warming is happening at the moment and the human beings are the main cause (Anderson, 2012). This is due to the fact that cars and factories have been emitting green gases for a long time into the atmosphere. Research has proved that green gases led to increase in temperature by 0.6 degrees in a century (Scherer, 2012). Temperature is expected to continue rising as long as human activities which release greenhouse gases are not controlled. It’s important to note that the existence of human beings is related to the stability that is exhibited by the global temperature. Fluctuations in the global temperature can lead to disastrous results. Carbon dioxide is one of the major contributors to global warming (Scherer, 2012). Over the past years, there has been an increase in efforts to curb the amount of CO2 that is emitted in the atmosphere. This is due to fact that carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere causing global warming. Efforts to curb CO2 emissions include using fuel efficient cars, alternative energy and efficient energy use. Human activities produce a lot of carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. Methane is another major source of global warming. The main source of methane is animal agriculture. Methane has been claimed to be far much stronger in causing global warming as compared to CO2. This makes it more powerful source of global warming as compared to CO2. Methane comes from a variety of sources such as landfills, coal mining in addition to animal agriculture. Human activities such as deforestation also contribute to global warming through reduction of forest cover (Scherer, 2012). Global warming has led to several impacts globally including heat waves. Killer heat waves are composed of relentless heat that can lead to loss of lives. One of the examples is the killer heats which were experienced in Europe during 2003. The heat led to death of 27,000 people and caused a big loss in the economy. The heat leads to draught which is accompanied by losses in agriculture. Increase in heat is attributed to global warming with temperatures increasing up to 41 degrees. Kadioglu (2013) claims that global warming has led to torrential rains and flooding. The intensity of rains has increased over the years which have been attributed to global warming. The torrential rain falls are accompanied by landslides and flooding. The increase in rainfall intensity leads to loss of lives and property. As temperatures increase, glaciers retreats which results in water shortages. Global warming is also responsible for droughts and wildfires (Scherer, 2012). This is a result of reduced rainfall and high temperatures. The wild fires are major cause of loss of forests during draught which reduces forest cover. According to Kadioglu, (2013), global warming led to sea level rising by an average of 4 to 8 inches. This is predicted to continue rising due to collapsing ice sheets and glaciers in green land and Antarctica. This have led to fear that if the level of sea water continues rising, there could be loss of land. The areas which are most likely to be lost are near the sea shores such as eastern US and some parts of Bangladesh. At the moment, it has been observed that most of the mountain peak glaciers have retreated. These effects are among many others such as reducing of the species, disease outbreaks and damage to coral reefs (Kadioglu, 2013). Due to the disastrous effects of global warming, there is need for the strategies to curb it (Scherer, 2012). The problem of global warming is a threat to the survival of the human race. Increase in solar radiation may lead to unanticipated problems such as cancer especially in the colder countries. Countries have to adopt measures that will reduce carbon emissions as well as other gases such as methane. This can be achieved through government policies and enhancing efforts in green energy. Clean energy policies have been a success in several countries such as America and Australia. This is due to fact that the policies have acted to help the countries address global warming and created employment in the sector (Kadioglu, 2013). The policies involve using stronger standards on the fossil fuel dependence cars and trucks. The building codes for the housing sector have also to ensure that homes and commercial buildings are energy efficient. These strategies work in enabling reduction of overdependence on fossil fuels. If the world continue consuming fossil fuels in great amount, the concentration of green gases will continue rising. Studies have proved that by the end of the 21st century, there will be a rise of 2 to 6 degrees in the average earth temperature (Archer, 2012). This will lead to adverse effects on people and the natural ecosystems. With clean energy policies, this can be avoided. Engaging the public is a strategy that can help a lot in curbing global warming (Kadioglu, 2013). Most of the citizens have a desire to reduce global warming. Public can be involved in campaigns that are aimed at reducing global warming. For example, educating the public on how to reduce wastage of energy and sustainable building can help a lot in reducing emissions. The public must be enlightened on global warming for the strategy to be effective. Awareness on the risk posed by global warming can help a lot in combating global warming (Anderson, 2012). There is also need to engage in campaigns that advocate for global warming (Kadioglu, 2013). This is by making the campaigns have a major focus on the clean energy, enhancing sustainable communities and economies. Renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability campaigns are capable of uniting people towards a healthy environment. This is due to fact that using the strategy, all groups are united under an aim for conservation through reduction of global warming. The campaigns should be coherent. This means that instead of conducting multiple campaigns, a single campaign will lead to a clear message (Archer, 2012). Planting of trees provides one of the most feasible methods to reduce global warming. This is due to fact that trees are capable of converting energy to matter. By converting energy to matter, there is less radiation that is available which reduces radiation. Trees are also capable of reducing the amount of sun energy that reaches the earth surface (Kadioglu, 2013). By doing this, trees enable the atmosphere to absorb most of the sun energy. At the moment, some of the countries have engaged in activities that have reduced the forests cover. This has led to a lot of energy reaching the earth surface and also thinning of the atmosphere. Due to fact that the effects of global warming are known, there is need to consider them when designing new communities. Buildings and communities should be in such a way that they are more resilient. The building materials used can act as mitigation towards effects of global warming. The bush around the houses in areas that are prone to wild fire should be cleared and the building materials enhanced to mitigate it. There is also need to educate the community in the impact prone areas on the occurrence of the effects of global warming. This can also involve proactive training to the community for preparedness (Kadioglu, 2013). In conclusion, it has been proved that greenhouse gases are leading to rise in global temperature. Evidence of global warming from the recent changes in the world ecosystem is evident. The reduction of polar ice caps, droughts, shift in the tropical rain, heat waves, and rise in sea level among other catastrophic effects has been witnessed. If the measures to curb global warming are not taken, the effect will be felt globally. The poor countries will be the most affected as they have limited resources. Most of the countries have taken measures through policies, use of renewable energy and carbon emission reduction. Though most efforts have been directed to CO2 reduction, there is need to look at other causes such as methane and reduce them as well. Human beings are the main cause of global warming and hold the solution to it. Since the effects have been felt already, there is need to act fast. References Anderson, M 2012, Global Warming, New York, Britannica Educational Publishing in association. Archer, D 2012, Global warming: understanding the forecast, Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley & Sons. Kadioglu, F 2013, Causes, impacts and solutions to global warming, New York, Springer Science. Scherer, L.S 2012, Global warming, Detroit, Greenhaven Press. Read More

Kadioglu (2013) claims that global warming has led to torrential rains and flooding. The intensity of rains has increased over the years which have been attributed to global warming. The torrential rain falls are accompanied by landslides and flooding. The increase in rainfall intensity leads to loss of lives and property. As temperatures increase, glaciers retreats which results in water shortages. Global warming is also responsible for droughts and wildfires (Scherer, 2012). This is a result of reduced rainfall and high temperatures.

The wild fires are major cause of loss of forests during draught which reduces forest cover. According to Kadioglu, (2013), global warming led to sea level rising by an average of 4 to 8 inches. This is predicted to continue rising due to collapsing ice sheets and glaciers in green land and Antarctica. This have led to fear that if the level of sea water continues rising, there could be loss of land. The areas which are most likely to be lost are near the sea shores such as eastern US and some parts of Bangladesh.

At the moment, it has been observed that most of the mountain peak glaciers have retreated. These effects are among many others such as reducing of the species, disease outbreaks and damage to coral reefs (Kadioglu, 2013). Due to the disastrous effects of global warming, there is need for the strategies to curb it (Scherer, 2012). The problem of global warming is a threat to the survival of the human race. Increase in solar radiation may lead to unanticipated problems such as cancer especially in the colder countries.

Countries have to adopt measures that will reduce carbon emissions as well as other gases such as methane. This can be achieved through government policies and enhancing efforts in green energy. Clean energy policies have been a success in several countries such as America and Australia. This is due to fact that the policies have acted to help the countries address global warming and created employment in the sector (Kadioglu, 2013). The policies involve using stronger standards on the fossil fuel dependence cars and trucks.

The building codes for the housing sector have also to ensure that homes and commercial buildings are energy efficient. These strategies work in enabling reduction of overdependence on fossil fuels. If the world continue consuming fossil fuels in great amount, the concentration of green gases will continue rising. Studies have proved that by the end of the 21st century, there will be a rise of 2 to 6 degrees in the average earth temperature (Archer, 2012). This will lead to adverse effects on people and the natural ecosystems.

With clean energy policies, this can be avoided. Engaging the public is a strategy that can help a lot in curbing global warming (Kadioglu, 2013). Most of the citizens have a desire to reduce global warming. Public can be involved in campaigns that are aimed at reducing global warming. For example, educating the public on how to reduce wastage of energy and sustainable building can help a lot in reducing emissions. The public must be enlightened on global warming for the strategy to be effective.

Awareness on the risk posed by global warming can help a lot in combating global warming (Anderson, 2012). There is also need to engage in campaigns that advocate for global warming (Kadioglu, 2013). This is by making the campaigns have a major focus on the clean energy, enhancing sustainable communities and economies. Renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability campaigns are capable of uniting people towards a healthy environment. This is due to fact that using the strategy, all groups are united under an aim for conservation through reduction of global warming.

The campaigns should be coherent. This means that instead of conducting multiple campaigns, a single campaign will lead to a clear message (Archer, 2012). Planting of trees provides one of the most feasible methods to reduce global warming. This is due to fact that trees are capable of converting energy to matter.

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