Rethinking Science and Environment - Assignment Example

Author’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Details: Due Date: ‘‘Climate change is generally conceived of as a technical challenge, characterized by science and resolvable by technology and economics. Does this do justice to the complexity of climate change and of potential responses to it? Your response should indicate what further matters could be addressed in considering climate change and responses to it’’ Rethinking Science and Environment Introduction  There is no historical period that has been more dominated by and much reliant on the natural sciences than the twentieth era. Yet there is no era that has been at ease with it. As historians of today, this is a paradox we must grapple. Presently, our societies are heavily dominated and even motivated by the ideas and products retrieved from science and technology (S&T). Scientific and technological facts, skills as well as artefacts tend to invade all aspects of our lives in this sophisticated society (Giles-Carnero, 87). For instance, the workplaces including the public spheres are gradually depending on the new and established technologies. In essence, modern societies need individuals with both scientific as well as well technological qualifications. Science and technology are evidently significant for the economic well being of any country. They form a key aspect in the cultural human history. The irregular aspects of the climate change challenges often pose a significant obstacle to the ability of making effective decisions in addressing the problem. Climate change encompasses the convergence of set intergenerational, theoretical as well as universal problems. This convergence validates it as a ‘‘perfect moral’’ storm. As a result, it is more difficult in addressing the key issues surrounding the climate changes. This has made the world to become extremely susceptible to moral corruption (Flachowsky, 133). Cities and climate change For many years, urbanization and climate change have become virtually inseparable. Basically, cities tend to appear as heat islands in thermodynamics models. This is has been linked to the high greenhouse emissions, high energy consumption, greater density of concrete as well as asphalt in the densely populated cities. In America, about three to eight per cent of urban energy emissions is used to neutralize the heat island upshot of cities. Furthermore, globally, heating and lighting energy used in both residential as well as commercial buildings also forms about a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions while transport accounts for 13.5%. On the hand, worldwide, industry accounts for almost half of carbon dioxide gas emissions originating from fossil fuel combustion (Bulkeley, 117). Figure 1: Manufacturing industries (Bulkeley, 117) According to Hejazi et al., (115), America, the European Union, Russia together with China forms 61 per cent of universal CO2 emissions. In addition, Latin America accounts for twelve per cent of CO2 emissions worldwide, the emissions mostly come from the deforestations. Reports indicate that the rich and busier city tends to generate more greenhouse gas emissions compared to poor cities which are less congested. Furthermore, as a result of increasing global urbanizations, there have been a significant decrease in greenhouse covers, forests, agricultural surfaces and parks which tend to increase cities’ ability to absorb CO2. According to studies, it is evident that Climate change results in death of species. In other circumstances, the species may flourish or migrate in erratic ways. For instance, invasive species of both plants and pests may cause great harm. The spread of malaria, dengue fever plus other vector borne diseases may adversely affect human health. Climate change also tends to impact on the weather patterns that significantly affects agricultural production leading to the increasing global food shortages especially in the cities. The rising temperatures also account for the increased energy use including air condition which later results in additional greenhouse emissions. In 2011, electricity sector accounted for about 33% percent of America’s greenhouse gas emissions. This has shown an increase of about 18% since 1990, however, fossil fuels have stagnated for many generations. Figure 2: electricity’s greenhouse Gas Emissions (Harriet, 28) Figure 3: Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions per sector (Hansen et al., 278). Global warming and climate change The composition of greenhouse emissions such as CO2 present in the lower atmosphere has increased to about 400ppm. Urban and interurban activities often accounts for the substantial quantities of other radioactively –active gases including methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as well as carbon monoxide. Universally, greenhouse gas emissions especially form motorized vehicles and vehicles are increasingly rising (Joyce et al., 516). This has led to both the local and regional pollution challenges through emissions poisonous gases such as sulfur oxides, lead, nitrogen oxides as well as carbon monoxides. Other sources of greenhouse emissions comprises of production and use of electric energy in transportation, public lightening, industrial, commercial as well domestic consumption. Energy for electricity, heating, industry as well as transport creates more than 60% of the total greenhouse gas emissions (Sharma et al., 315). Table 1: showing greenhouse concentration change, 1800s-2010 (Christopher, 17). Greenhouse gas concentration change, 1800s-2010 Anthropogenic sources 100-yr GWP* Proportion of the total effect Apart from water Vapor (approximately) Carbon dioxide 280-90ppm l burning, deforestation Fossil fuel burning , Deforestation 1 60% Methane 0.75-1.75ppm Agriculture, Fuel leakage 25 20% Halocarbons 0-0.7ppb Refrigerants 1100-11,000 14% Nitrous oxide 275-310ppb Agriculture, Combustion 298 6% Ozone 15-20-30ppb Urban pollution Historic geological context and perspective The earth’s climate has significantly changed over centuries, and there were times when CO2 ranges were reported to be higher than today. Climate change is witnessed in various geological settings such as marine and lake sediments, stalagmites as well as fossil tree rings, ice sheets and fossil corals. Studies indicate that global climate has been cooling for the last 50 million years. During the early Eocene, globally, the average temperatures were approximately 6-7ºC warmer than today. Around 30 million years ago, during the end of the cooling period, ice caps condensed to creating a continental ice sheet found on the Antarctica (William, 217). Furthermore, a global warning still continued to occur in the far end of the northern hemisphere, forming local ice caps as well as mountain glaciers. Universal sea levels are extremely sensitive to the climatic changes in relation to the global temperatures. Ice sheets tend to grow in size during cooling and melt when it gets warmer. Comparatively, rapid global warming has been reported in the past. For instance, sudden warming occurred around fifty five million years ago, temperatures increased by 6º C globally. About 2 to 5 million years ago, global temperature recorded 2-3°C higher than today. Furthermore, sea levels 10-25 meters higher than today, this implies that global ice was less than now (Maraseni & Reardon-Smith, 85). Figure4: Global land –Ocean Temperature Index (Hansen et al., 371). Scientific Consensus on Global Warming One of the most battled debates in the politics of climate change concern the perceived scientific consensus. Scientists involved in the promotion of global warming as a critical issue have suddenly declared the dispute settled, arguing that there are no grave assertions against the evidence on the man-made effects on climate change. Moreover, global warming skeptics are pointing to the scientific rebels, they have tried to debunk forecasts of catastrophic magnitudes of global warming generated by some, when promoting the more nonthreatening impacts described by others. A study done in the United States indicated that the majority of the people believed that global warming is a serious issue and it is occurring (McGregor & Topping, 912). Currently, reports from The Australian strategic Policy Institute’ indicates that the changing climates will significantly pose security threats to Australians, including collapsing of the vulnerable states in the region. This could impact on the crop yields, forest productivity, water, scarcity, frequent droughts as well as food security. Reports indicate that by 2050, both Australia and Zealand will experience greater rising of sea levels and longer droughts if nothing is done now. This could also overstretch the Australian Defense Force, which is currently poorly equipped. However, Skeptics and deniers continue to argue that taking action on the perceived uncertainties is merely a waste of time, resources and money (Hejazi et al., 120). Figure 5: Floods in Australia (Hejazi et al., 120). Solutions to climate change The technologies and approached described below are essential in mitigating the gas emissions by at least 80 percent in the next century. Low and zero carbon technologies More research into and generation of new low and zero carbon is critical in decreasing global emissions. Current studies on battery technologies, coupling energy retrieved from novel sources such as bacteria, invention of new materials meant for solar cells plus other innovative areas can provide significant breakthrough. Management of forests and agriculture Both tropical deforestation as well as gas emissions from the agricultural sector are linked to 30% of the earth’s heat trapping emissions. Together, we can rise against global warming by decreasing unnecessary emissions from deforestations including forest degradation and also by making food production practices more reliable. Figure 6: projected impact of climate change on agricultural yields (Chew, 217). Greening transportation Emissions from the transportation sector have greatly increased over the past decades. Numerous solutions to these are at hand including enhancing efficiency in the transport system, shifting to low producing carbon fuels, and decreasing miles travelled by the motorists through smart improved and more effective mass transportation system (Watts, 17). Enhancing energy efficiency The energy frequently used in cooling, heating and lighting our buildings including homes, industries and business premises is the single greatest contributor to the global warming effects. Energy efficiency technologies enable us to optimize and use less energy to receive the same or even greater level of productivity and comfort. This approach can have vast potentials in relation to save energy and money. Renewable energy sources There are numerous renewable energy sources across the globe. These include wind, Bioenergy, solar as well as the geothermal energies. Studies indicate that renewable energies have a great technical potential in meeting the vast majority of global energy needs. This can be deployed quickly, are significantly cost effective, generate jobs while mitigating pollution (Reardon-Smith et al, 81). Figure 7: renewable energy (Reardon-Smith et al, 81). Cutting out fossil fuel electricity Substantial lessening of the use of fossil fuels such as carbon- intensive coal can greatly tackle climate change issues. There are numerous ways of doing this including eradicating of coal-burning plant industries, instigating shutdown of coal industries, seizing and storing carbon gas emission from the power plants. Though this might sound like fake science, the technology exists to aid store carbon emissions underground. This technology has not been demonstrated in large or asserted to be safe or permanent, however, it has been employed in contexts including oil as well as natural gas recoveries. Therefore, demonstration projects to validate the viability and the cost of the technology regarding power plant emissions should be put in place (McGregor & Topping, 911). Exploring nuclear Since the nuclear power often leads to a few global gas emissions, an improved share on the nuclear power regarding the energy mix can aid lessen global warming effects, moreover, nuclear technology tends to pose critical threats to both our environment and security (McGregor & Topping, 416). Adjusting to changes to new ways The effects of a warming world have been felt by many nations worldwide. If this continues uncontrolled, it will lead to greater devastating impacts such as disease outbreaks. Therefore, nations should come up with locally suitable solutions which will enhance the impacts on the changing climatic conditions. On the other hand, developed states should take a lead in this to ensure provision of both financial as well as technical help for easy adaptation by the developing nations (Joyce et al., 514). Conclusion It is more evident that the impact of science and technology on our daily lives will continue to intensify in future. This can be linked to the escalating incomes and the sophisticated lifestyles that results in increased energy consumption and dependence. Furthermore, more people are relying on private transport for travelling thus leading to more levels of gas emissions. Likewise, in polar areas, thaw tends to decrease the stabilities of many cities located on permafrost. It is evident that no single solution can resolve the issue of global warming, which is majorly a challenge of too much trapping of CO2, Nitrous oxide as well as methane among others in the atmosphere. Work cited Booker, Christopher. The Real Global Warming Disaster: Is the Obsession with 'climate Change' Turning Out to Be the Most Costly Scientific Blunder in History?London: Bloomsbury Pub, 2013. Internet resource. Bulkeley, Harriet. Cities and Climate Change. London: Routledge, 2013. Print. Chew, Sing C. The Recurring Dark Ages: Ecological Stress, Climate Changes, and System Transformation. Lanham: Altamira Press, 2007. Print. Flachowsky, G. "Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Ethical Perspectives on Land Use and Food Production." Animal Feed Science and Technology. 182 (2013): 131-133. Print. Hansen, J, M Sato, G Russell, and P Kharecha. "Climate Sensitivity, Sea Level and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide." Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences. 371.2001 (2013). Print. Hewitt, William F. A Newer World: Politics, Money, Technology, and What's Really Being Done to Solve the Climate Crisis. Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire Press, 2013. Print. Hu, Z, J.W Lee, K Chandran, S Kim, K Sharma, A.C Brotto, and S.K Khanal. "Nitrogen Transformations in Intensive Aquaculture System and Its Implication to Climate Change Through Nitrous Oxide Emission." Bioresource Technology. 130 (2013): 314-320. Print Joyce, Linda A, David D. Briske, Joel R. Brown, H W. Polley, Bruce A. McCarl, and Derek W. Bailey. "Climate Change and North American Rangelands: Assessment of Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies."Rangeland Ecology and Management. 66.5 (2013): 512-528. Print. Kyle, P, E.G.R Davies, J.J Dooley, S.J Smith, L.E Clarke, J.A Edmonds, and M Hejazi. "Influence of Climate Change Mitigation Technology on Global Demands of Water for Electricity Generation." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 13 (2013): 112-123. Print. McGregor, E B, and J C. Topping. "Climate Change and Global Energy Security: Technology and Policy Options, by Marilyn A. Brown and Benjamin Sovacool. Cambridge, Ma: Mit Press, 2011, 416. Print Mushtaq, S, T.N Maraseni, and K Reardon-Smith. "Climate Change and Water Security: Estimating the Greenhouse Gas Costs of Achieving Water Security Through Investments in Modern Irrigation Technology." Agricultural Systems. 117 (2013): 78-89. Print. Rosa, Giles-Carnero. "Climate Change." (2013). Print. Watts, Robert G. Engineering Response to Climate Change. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2013. Internet resource. White, Wayne A. Biosequestration and Ecological Diversity: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change and Environmental Degradation. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis, 2013. Print. Read More

Figure 1: Manufacturing industries (Bulkeley, 117) According to Hejazi et al., (115), America, the European Union, Russia together with China forms 61 per cent of universal CO2 emissions. In addition, Latin America accounts for twelve per cent of CO2 emissions worldwide, the emissions mostly come from the deforestations. Reports indicate that the rich and busier city tends to generate more greenhouse gas emissions compared to poor cities which are less congested. Furthermore, as a result of increasing global urbanizations, there have been a significant decrease in greenhouse covers, forests, agricultural surfaces and parks which tend to increase cities’ ability to absorb CO2.

According to studies, it is evident that Climate change results in death of species. In other circumstances, the species may flourish or migrate in erratic ways. For instance, invasive species of both plants and pests may cause great harm. The spread of malaria, dengue fever plus other vector borne diseases may adversely affect human health. Climate change also tends to impact on the weather patterns that significantly affects agricultural production leading to the increasing global food shortages especially in the cities.

The rising temperatures also account for the increased energy use including air condition which later results in additional greenhouse emissions. In 2011, electricity sector accounted for about 33% percent of America’s greenhouse gas emissions. This has shown an increase of about 18% since 1990, however, fossil fuels have stagnated for many generations. Figure 2: electricity’s greenhouse Gas Emissions (Harriet, 28) Figure 3: Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions per sector (Hansen et al., 278).

Global warming and climate change The composition of greenhouse emissions such as CO2 present in the lower atmosphere has increased to about 400ppm. Urban and interurban activities often accounts for the substantial quantities of other radioactively –active gases including methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as well as carbon monoxide. Universally, greenhouse gas emissions especially form motorized vehicles and vehicles are increasingly rising (Joyce et al., 516). This has led to both the local and regional pollution challenges through emissions poisonous gases such as sulfur oxides, lead, nitrogen oxides as well as carbon monoxides.

Other sources of greenhouse emissions comprises of production and use of electric energy in transportation, public lightening, industrial, commercial as well domestic consumption. Energy for electricity, heating, industry as well as transport creates more than 60% of the total greenhouse gas emissions (Sharma et al., 315). Table 1: showing greenhouse concentration change, 1800s-2010 (Christopher, 17). Greenhouse gas concentration change, 1800s-2010 Anthropogenic sources 100-yr GWP* Proportion of the total effect Apart from water Vapor (approximately) Carbon dioxide 280-90ppm l burning, deforestation Fossil fuel burning , Deforestation 1 60% Methane 0.75-1.75ppm Agriculture, Fuel leakage 25 20% Halocarbons 0-0.

7ppb Refrigerants 1100-11,000 14% Nitrous oxide 275-310ppb Agriculture, Combustion 298 6% Ozone 15-20-30ppb Urban pollution Historic geological context and perspective The earth’s climate has significantly changed over centuries, and there were times when CO2 ranges were reported to be higher than today. Climate change is witnessed in various geological settings such as marine and lake sediments, stalagmites as well as fossil tree rings, ice sheets and fossil corals.

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