Harmful Human Activities on Global Warming - Research Paper Example

? Harmful human activities on global warming Global warming is the one of the worst manmade disasters that haunts the possibility of human existence on earth. One can easily identify that global warming is not a natural process but strictly limited to the sphere of human encroachment upon nature and exploitation of natural resources. The far reaching consequences of global warming like El- Nino and La-Nina are haunting the human race without any mercy. The term global warming means the rapid increase in global temperature due to the human encroachment upon nature and its far reaching consequences. The history of global warming begins with growth and development of human race on earth. Besides, industrialization and unrestricted exploitation of natural resources (say, renewable and non-renewable) accelerated global warming. Today, the cyclic process of nature is partially or totally degraded by human activity. So, it is the global responsibility to conserve nature and to reduce the scope of further harmful human activities upon nature. Thesis statement: An investigative study to unveil the cause effect relationship between global warming and harmful human activates (Special references to the topics like using fossil fuels, deforestation and over population). I. General thoughts about Global warming The general thoughts about global warming are mainly based on the cause effect relationship between human activities and global warming. One cannot ignore the harmful effects of human activities upon nature because it is the main reason behind global warming or high increase in global temperature. Besides, global warming is not limited to the sphere of a single nation because all the nations are facing the after effects, regardless of richness or poverty. From a different angle of view, the far reaching consequences of global warming may transform the earth into a barren land, not suitable for human inhabitation. The responsibility of developed nations to take initiative in fighting against the after effects of this possible manmade disaster is crucial. The present discussions upon global warming do not help the human race to reduce the drastic effects of global warming because the developing and underdeveloped nations are not yet ready to consider the same as and utmost serious threat. In fact, the whole world is undergoing serous climate change and it is the responsibility of the global community to take apt remedial measures to reduce the drastic effects of global warming. As pointed out, the general thoughts on global warming leads to discussions, not remedial measures to reduce its after effects. So, corrective actions can save the earth from drastic climate change and after effects of the same. The developed nations can play the most important role in reducing the harmful effects of global warming because the developing and underdeveloped nations are helpless to move forward without economic support. II. Harmful human activities Earlier, the human beings used to have harmonious relationship with nature. They considered that the natural resources are not to be over exploited because the same must be handed over to the future generations. But the renaissance spirit transformed the whole world and it paved the way for industrialization and mechanization. Then, the human beings began to exploit renewable and non-renewable resources on earth. Gradually, these human activities began to affect the ecological balance and it accelerated natural imbalance. So, one can easily identify that overexploitation of renewable and non-renewable resources without considering the rights of future generations lead to harmful effects. Some of the most important harmful human activities like using fossil fuels, deforestation and over population are discussed below. A. Using Fossil Fuels The indiscriminate exploitation and usage of fossil fuel leads to solar ice cap depletion, sea level rise, and increased rate of temperature. First of all, fossil fuel is not a renewable resource or it cannot be restored. The renewable resources can be restored but one cannot restore non-renewable resources. If human beings consider the exploitation of fossil fuels as most important for industrial development, the whole world will be forced to face a number of problems related to the scarcity of energy. Julie Kerr Casper states that “The biggest contributor to warming the atmosphere is the excessive use of fossil fuels for energy” (1). To be specific, fossil fuel sources are not renewable or restored but must be used wisely without any wastrel. But the developing nations consider that exploitation of fossil fuels as most important for development. For instance, exploitation of fossil fuels is the backbone of most of the developing nations in the Middle East. One can easily identify that the economic backbone of almost all the nations in the Middle East is based upon revenue from fossil fuels (say, petroleum products). This abundance of fossil fuels attracts multinational corporations to the Middle East. Thus, nations in the Middle East depend upon fossil fuels and it leads to the unrestricted exploitation of non-renewable resources. The nations which are indulged in the exploitation on fossil fuels are not yet ready to restrict the dependency upon non-renewable resources. So, this dependency leads to overexploitation and its consequences. For instance, the excavation (mining) process (say, in the Middle East) to locate and exploit petroleum products creates toxic waste materials. The problem created by these harmful waste materials cannot be limited to the sphere of the Middle Eastern nations. The burning of fossil fuels to produce energy creates a number of environmental problems because the toxic waste materials happen to spread to the atmosphere. In addition, burning of fossil fuels leads to Ozone layer depletion and health hazards to the living things on earth. As the fossil fuel production and consumption is increasing day by day, threat from global warming as a manmade disaster is not out of focus. The world nations are aware of the drastic effects of increased consumption of fossil fuels, but are not ready to consider the same as a serious threat. So, one can easily identify that the increased production and consumption of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and petroleum products) leads to ecological imbalance and global warming. B. Deforestation First of all, forests are most helpful in sustaining life on earth. The global cover of forests deeply influences the possibility of preserving natural vegetation on earth. One can easily identify that deforestation leads to global warming and its after effects. David Humphreys makes clear that “Deforestation contributes to global warming, which occurs from increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases leading to net increases in the global mean temperature” (15). The ecological balance is based upon the sustenance of forests without further encroachment. As pointed out earlier, deforestation is one of the most important factors that accelerate global warming. Earlier, human beings used to consider nature (forests) as the vital part of their life because nature was the one and only source for consolation. But now, human life is becoming more and more complicated. For instance, the present generation is facing ecological problems due to the encroachment upon nature. The development of human race from the primitive life to modernism is interconnected with deforestation and its aftereffects. In this modern age, one cannot imagine a life without comforts. But one must be aware of the fact that more comfort means more trees are cut down. As pointed out, industrialization helped a number of nations to be in the forefront of development. But economic development forced human beings to consider natural resources as commodities that can be bought or sold. This utilitarian concept forces the human beings to consider forests as commodities or the unrestricted source of revenue. The developed nations are aware of the problems created by deforestation. But the developing and underdeveloped nations consider forests as the cheapest source of revenue. This attitude is totally wrong because the global coverage of forests is undergoing rapid decrease. When a nation considers forest coverage as a source of revenue, the future generations will be forced to undergo serous ecological threats. In this modern world, the developing nations are rapidly moving towards economic development. Within this context, forests are considered as less importance. But one must realize that conservation of forests is utmost important because it is most helpful to sustain life on earth. Without forests, there exists less scope for the sustenance and future development of human beings. One can easily identify that deforestation interrupts the water cycle, which is most important for ecological balance. This phenomenon leads to climate change and eventually to global warming. Besides, deforestation leads to the increase in green house gases and Ozone layer depletion. To be specific, the human encroachment upon the global coverage of forests interrupts the ecological balance and ultimately causes global warming and its aftereffects. In short, deforestation is one of the most serious threats that lead to manmade disasters, especially global warming. C. Over population As pointed out earlier, population growth is one of the most important factors that accelerate human encroachment upon nature and its drastic effects. Earlier, over population was not a serious threat to nature and human beings used to lead a life according to the changes in nature. But now, human population is showing rapid increase and fight for natural resources and basic needs are common. Kate Lawrence points out that “The earth’s burgeoning population threatens to undo every other improvement we can make” (60). To be specific, natural resources (whether renewable or non-renewable) are not increasing but human population is increasing rapidly. So, this leads to further encroachment upon available resources. One can identify that over population leads to scarcity of resources. Besides, it leads to further encroachment upon forests and ecological imbalance. The developed nations consider population as valuable human resource that can be utilized for productive activities. But when increase in population is superimposed to the context of developing and underdeveloped nations, the same is considered as a serious problem. For instance, over population in African nations leads to poverty, hunger, starvation and economic problems. To be specific, population growth is not a serious problem in developed nations, but is a most serious problem in developing and underdeveloped nations. China, the most populous nation is trying to reduce its population by implementing strict rules and regulations. But some of the underdeveloped or third world nations are not aware of the problem of over population and the ecological problems created by the same. For instance, ever increasing population within a nation with lesser scope of future economic development is to be considered as a serious problem. Besides, over population leads to competition in every area of human life. The drastic effects of overpopulation include increased dependency upon natural resources that are to be forwarded to the future generations. Over population leads to resource scarcity and its drastic aftereffects. In addition, overpopulation causes economic inequality and further problems in the society as a whole. But this ultimately leads to ecological problems because the carrying capacity of the earth is under threat. When more and more people try to survive and reproduce within a limited area, it will cause famines and energy shortages. As the whole world is undergoing rapid change, overpopulation is an immediate threat in front of the human race. As pointed out earlier, resource scarcity and over exploitation of natural resources are the most important aftereffects of overpopulation which badly affect the ecological balance of nature. In short, overpopulation acts the role of an important factor which causes global warming. III. Possible disasters and solutions The possible disasters that are caused by global warming include diseases, hurricanes, flood and famine, El-Nino, La-Nina Ozone layer depletion and green house effect. The solutions can be divided into two: short term and long term. The short term solutions include the international initiative to conserve (limited usage of natural resources) nature, reduction of carbon emission, and economic aid to economically underdeveloped nations. The long term solutions include the international initiative to preserve (declaring forest areas as bio-reserves, wild life sanctuaries, and reserve forests) nature, reforestation, and organizing an international consortium of nature lovers to monitor the process of restoration of global flora and fauna. A. Possible disasters The most important possible disaster is the imminent outbreak of epidemic diseases that can wash out human race from the earth. The epidemics that spread through air and water are disastrous and global warming might accelerate the same without any mercy upon human beings. Global warming leads to hurricanes and tsunami which can cause devastating effect in coastal areas. Besides, most of the metropolitan cities are situated in coastal areas or near to water bodies. Global warming cause flood and it leads to famine and untimely death of millions. El-Nino or sudden change in global climate is another possible disaster caused by global warming. La-Nina (sudden decrease in global temperature) is another possible disaster which is caused by global warming. Ozone layer depletion, another possible disaster cause a number of health hazards among the living things, especially human beings. Green house effect or the re-radiation of green house gases creates a number of problems to ecological balance of earth. In short, these possible disasters cannot be considered as isolated entities because all these disasters are interconnected. B. Solutions As the after effects of global warming is becoming more visible, it is important to give ample value to short term solutions or remedial measures. Bruce Elliott Johansen opines that “ It has been said ( not for attribution) that the best thing which could happen to raise worldwide concern about global warming would be a quick collapse of the West Antarctic sheet, which would raise worldwide sea level a notable number of feet over a very short time” (251). The solutions can be divided into short and long term because utmost importance must be given to the remedial measures. The international initiative and centralized planning, and implementation of conservatory measures can reduce the negative effect of global warming. Besides, measures to reduce carbon emission is utmost important. The economically underdeveloped nations are helpless to play an important role in the process. So, there must be proper funding facility to provide economic support to the underdeveloped nations. The most important long term solution is the initiative and duty minded attitude of world nations to follow the ideas put forth by the international NGOs like WWF. Besides, the UN can play an important role in preserving nature. The process of reforestation and monitoring the process of restoring global flora and fauna is utmost important. In short, there must be a conscious effort from the side of the world nations to restore the natural vegetation of the earth. Summing, global warming is not a remote possibility but an imminent danger which can affect the future scope of human existence on earth. To be specific, global warming is not a single ecological problem but a group of serious problems. The human beings are responsible for far reaching consequences of global warming because no one can ignore effect of harmful human activates like over exploitation of fossil fuels, deforestation, and ever increasing population. The cause effect relationship between global warming and human activates prove that the future of human race fully depends upon the measures that are to be taken by the global community or global nations. References Casper, Julie Kerr. Fossil Fuels and Pollution: The Future of Air Quality. Brainerd, MN: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print. Humphreys, David. Forest politics: the evolution of international cooperation. London, Great Britain: Earthscan, 1996. Print. Johansen, Bruce Elliott. The global warming desk reference. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. Print. Lawrence, Kate. The Practical Peacemaker: How Simple Living Makes Peace Possible. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Books, 2009. Print. Read More