Why is Public Otin Divided over Human-Induced Global Warming - Assignment Example

Name of Student: Name of Course: Name of Instructor: Date of Submission Why is public орiniоn divided оvеr human induсеd global warming when the sсiеntifiс еvidеnсе арреаrs strong? The continued emission of greenhouse gasses by industrial activities and other human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels is believed to be the main cause of global climate change (Brittle & Muthuswamy 24). There are various scientific studies and models which have been done over time to support this claim. Ideally, the claims seem to be true if the current effects of global warming are something to go by. In spite of this, there is a very great divide in the general public with respect to this claim regardless of the fact that there is vast scientific information backing it. The melting of ice in ice covered lands, the changing climate, and the increase in the global temperatures are just but some examples of the effects of global warming. The following research paper will try to figure out why there is still an eminent divide in public opinion with respect to the claim that global warming is as a result of human activities. To start, it is important to give an insight into what is global warming. Global warming is described as the gradual rise in the temperature of earth’s atmosphere over time. This is believed to be a s a result of the increased emission of green house gases such as carbon 4 oxide. The greenhouse gases form a layer around the earth’s surface which traps the earth’s heat on the surface; thus restricting it from escaping thus leading to a proportionate increase in temperatures on the earth’s surface. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the green house effect. The effects of the greenhouse effect are detrimental to life on earth. Firstly, it leads to a change in climate patterns. There is a disruption of the normal weather patterns leading to abnormal or prolonged rains and droughts which have a detrimental effect on life on earth. It also leads to the melting of ice on the ice covered land which has an effect on raising the amount of water in the seas and oceans hence leading to submerged lands. It also leads to adverse weather occurrences such as floods. From this, it can be acknowledged that there is a need to counter global warming by engaging in activities which lead to lesser emission of green house gases. For this reason, there is a need for a global appreciation that human activity is the major cause of global warming. As identified earlier, there still lies a great divide in the public opinion with respect to the claim that human activity is the main cause of global warming in spite of the vast scientific data on the subject. The following section will discuss some of the reasons as to why this divide exists. One of the major causes of the divide is the belief that climate change is as a result of natural occurrences and not global warming as proponent of the later state. On this point, it can be acknowledged that these people have a low belief in science and rather try to explain the occurrences from what they know best; natural occurrences. As a result of this, it becomes hard to make such people acknowledged the fact that they make a contribute to the increased global warming on the planet (Hansen 1). However, the extreme weather conditions experienced in the world recently such as the heat waves in Oklahoma and Texas raise a question as to the natural state of the climate change. On this, it becomes inevitable to appreciate that there is a factor which is leading to climate change; global warming. Another cause of the divide with respect to the claim stated above is disparity in education. On this point, it can be pointed out that the level of education has a very important influence on the reasoning and intellectual ability of the population. Generally, a more educated individual is prone to acknowledge the fact that global warming is a result of human activity as opposed to a lesser educated individual who tends to refute this claim. Education tends to expose an individual to knowledge in addition to developing critical thinking in individuals. In addition to this, education exposes individuals to other educated people hence leading to sharing of ideas. As a result of this, education tends to have a major effect on the divide which is thus based on the education levels of the population. Demographics also have a major effect on the divide as to whether global warming is a result of human activities or not. Demographics is normally concerned with the state and location of the population. With respect to the state, the essay has discussed about the literacy state of the population with respect to the education level. Another demographic aspect is the location of the population. Normally, people located in the urban areas acknowledge that global warming is as a result of human activity more than people located in the rural areas. This is because of the fact that the people in the urban areas have more access to information as opposed to their counterparts in the rural areas. Therefore, demographics have a major influence on the divide. Another factor which influences the divide is science. On this point, it is important to appreciate that there are scientific theories which propose that global warming is as a result of human activity while others propose that it is not as a result of human activity, but is caused by other factors (Christy 1). The lack of unity in the scientific theories proposed by the scientists is a major cause of the divide which exists in the population. Contrary to the thought that increases in carbon emission are harmful to the well-being of the atmosphere, some scientist propose that increases in carbon gas emissions are good for the plants on the globe; due to their input in photosynthesis (Miller & Primack 332 ). Other scientific theories purport that human activity could not be the main cause of global warming since the effect dates back to many years ago, way before there was any substantial human activity on the globe. From the above, it can be acknowledged that the divide exhibited with the scientists leads to a proportional divide in the public. Another cause of the divide in the public with respect to the claim in subject is politics. On this point, it is important to acknowledge that the facts that politics has a substantial effect on the way things are handled in the accepted by the public (Wall Street Journal 1). Taking an example of the American situation, it can be noted that climate conservation practices were upheld by both the republicans and the democrats before the 1980s. However, this changed when there were new claims by politicians that environmental conservation was a burden to the country’s economy. This gave the people a different perception to the statement that human activity has the major effect on global warming. On the other hand, good politics has a positive influence on the fight against global warming. In his presidential campaigns, president Barrack Obama stressed on the need to address climate change, a factor which influenced the public opinion on climate change. He acknowledged that human activities had an effect on the global warming hence the need to take charge of them (Leiserowittz, Maliback, Roiser-Renouf, Smith & Dawson 2). Lastly, media coverage has an effect on the divide in opinion with respect to the claim under subject. In countries or regions where the issue gets heightened media coverage, the public appreciates that global warming is as a result of human activity. On the other hand, low media coverage on the issues surrounding global warming tends to put the affected audience in the dark. This in turn places them at a position where they are guided by their own understanding as opposed to the reality on the ground. Concluding, it has been comprehended from this research paper that global warming is a phenomenon which has harmful effects on the life on earth. The paper has given some effects of global warming. It has been pointed out that global warming is caused by continued emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon gases in the atmosphere. The gas traps the earth’s heat from escaping the earth’s surface; hence leading to an increase in global temperatures. In spite of the vast scientific information and data supporting the claim that human activities are the main cause of global warming, there is a great divide in the public with some people for the idea while others being against it. The research paper has discussed several points which influence the divide which exists in the public. The points which have been highlighted include education levels, personal beliefs and opinions, demographics, media, science and politics. All in all, the people should acknowledge the fact that there is enough data to support the claim that human activities are the major cause of global warming. Therefore, people should adopt green practices which ensure that they have minimum negative influence on the environment; hence reducing further warming on the globe. Works Cited Brittle, C., & Muthuswamy, N., Scientific Elites and Concern for Global Warming: The Impact of Disagreement, Evidence Strength, Partisan Cues, and Exposure to News Content on Concern for Climate Change, IJSC, 4.1. (2009). 23- 44 Christy, J., Is Human Activity a Substantial Cause of Global Climate Change, Climate Change ProCon, 501.C. (2012). 1-14 Hansen, J., Perception of Climate Change. Climate Change ProCon, 501.C. (2012). 1-14 Miller, A., & Primack, R.,  Global Warming And Flowering Times In Thoreau's Concord: A Community Perspective. Ecology. 89.1. (2008):332–341 Leiserowittz, A., Maliback, E., Roiser-Renouf, C., Smith, N., & Dawson, E., Climategate, Public Opinion, and the Loss of Trust. School of Forestry & Environmental StudiesYale University. (2010). 1-22 Wall Street Journal. No Need To Panic About Global Warming, Wall Street Journal, (2013) web Accessed on 2nd September 2013 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html Read More