Causes of Global Warming - Research Paper Example

Global warming Introduction Global warming also known as the recent anthropogenic climate change, it is the rise of average temperature earth’s atmosphere and ocean. This rise in temperature has been at a projected continuation since 19th century. Furthermore, Earth’s mean surface temperature since early 20th century has increased by 0.8 °C (1.4 °F). According to scientist, this rise of surface temperature is primarily due to increase in concentration of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, these emissions are as a result of human activities, such as; fossil fuel burning or deforestation, which, trap heat that would escape from the earth, if it were not for the gases. Furthermore, certain agricultural and waste management practices worsen the problem by releasing other global warming gases that are potent such as nitrous oxide and methane. Global warming has both positive and negative effects to human beings and ecosystem as a whole. Global Warming Trend According to Böhringer et al, several studies, shows that the global temperature shows a warming trend. Consequently, based on scientific studies of ice cores, coral reefs and tree rings; a result about the global temperatures increasing is made. Furthermore, starting from the Industrial Revolution in the mid of 1700s, the global average temperatures has increased with emphasize in the past several decades. According to World Meteorological Organization, temperature of global land surface has been ranked warmest from records calculated since 1880. Furthermore, global average temperature has increased over the last century by more than 1°F (0.7°C). Consequently, the 2001-2010 decade is the warmest since 1880. Actually, nine of the warmest recorded years happened in just the last 10 years. Moreover, this warming has come with a decrease in very cold days and nights and an increase in real hot days and warm nights. For instance; United States, has since recorded daily highs twice as frequently recorded daily lows from 2000 to 2009. Consequently, the record shows that some areas of the world are warming at a high rate than others. Generally, the long-term global upward trend is clear. There are signs of global warming seen in the North Pole there include; Sea ice melting, the tundra warming up, glaciers in retreat, some species becoming endangered and disappearing significantly and the sea level rising. According to U.S Geology Survey (2007), it is estimated that changes in sea ice conditions will led to an extinction of nearly 50% of bear’s population in 2050. Naturally, land and ocean temperature is only one way to assess the effects of global warming. Moreover, a warming world also has the potential to vary snow and rainfall patterns, increase severe storms and droughts, reduce ice cover in lakes, increase sea levels, melt glaciers and change animal and plant behavior (Böhringer et al). Causes of global warming The Earths climate is fueled by the Sun’s energy. This sun energy is called solar radiation, it is absorbed by the Earth, however; some is reflected back into space. Furthermore, a natural atmospheric gases layer absorbs some percentage of this reflected solar radiation. Finally, it releases some of it into the space and forcing much of it back to Earth. Moreover, it warms the Earth’s surface creating greenhouse effects. The Earth’s average temperature would be colder and ice would cover the planet if it’s not for the greenhouse effect. Global warming is mainly a problem of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; which works as a blanket, trapping heat and warming the planet (Maslin, 18). Apart from the production of greenhouse gases emissions by some natural occurrences, such as lighting, natural fires and volcanic eruptions. Human activities are definitely the biggest contributor for a variety of climatic changes. Recent evidence from scientists shows that, the greenhouse effect is being increased by release of certain gases to the atmosphere that causes the Earths temperature to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) accounts for nearly 85% of greenhouse gases released in the U.S. One of the main causes of global warming is carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning power plants. The ever increasing addiction and dependence on electricity from burning coal power plants results to releasing tremendous carbon dioxide amounts into the atmosphere. Consequently, about 40% of carbon dioxide emissions in United State come from production of electricity. Coal burning accounts for 93% of carbon dioxide emissions from the electric utility industry. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions are largely as a result of combustion of fossil in electric power generation. Another cause of global warming is industrial applications such as refrigeration, foam production, chemical manufacturing, dry cleaning and semiconductor manufacturing produce another greenhouse gas emission like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Moreover, aluminium produces another greenhouse gas called perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Finally, emissions of NOx and VOC from exhaust of automobile and industrial processes contribute to the formation of ground-level smog or ozone, also a greenhouse gas (Maslin, 18). Increasing population in countries that are under-developed is causing a makes it hard for the world to enhancement standards, because these Third World countries begin to utilize greater amounts of energy thus worsening the problem of global warming. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because trees play a great role in conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen. Therefore, fewer trees entail a small of carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. Wood is a vital commodity but it is also a renewable resource which needs to have been practiced from the very beginning. However, the problem is that the huge demand for timber products outweighs by far the causes of global warming in the mind of loggers. Consequently, the result is massive deforestation in various parts of the planet. Furthermore, as the world’s population increases demand for food like livestock and farm animals also increases. Unfortunately, what is essential for human survival is also harmful to the environment, thereby; cause a big dilemma for consumers and producers. Consequently, some environmentalist groups had the idea of decreasing the consumption of meat products and help people practice becoming vegetarians which is not really easy to do. Effects of global warming Firstly, the world temperature is greatly influenced by the high global warming rates. This is evidenced in the rate of change in different climatic conditions at different parts of the world.  Cool areas such as, the arctic and Antarctic regions, would face a climatic change that would have intense impact to their environment (Billy, 36). Moreover, most of these regions are pre occupied with snow and ice. Consequently, due to the temperature rise as a result of global warming, the ice melts causing sea levels increases. Actually, this would be dangerous as, the coastal borders would be difficult to maintain moreover, in matters concerning its security. Moreover, taking into consideration, the fact that most of the ports are situated in the coastal regions, they have a tendency to hold the economic status of a given nation. Thus, increase in the maintenance expenses of the coastal security would lead to an increase in the taxes levy that would in turn raise commodities prices. Additionally, there would be flood occurrence in the lowland regions (Casper, 14). Consequently, the floods may cause severe damage by sweeping away human belongings. Moreover, the ecosystem would be thrown away from the balance of nature.  This brings in the irregular weather patterns that may not be favorable for human activity (Mani, 2010). As perceived, global warming increases occurrence of storm and hurricanes which acts as a natural calamity to the environment. Presences of storms due to global warming tend to destroy the coastal region and its environs. Consequently, the global warming also affects the ecological systems of the environment. As a result of high temperatures, some birds are forced to move from away from their ecological niche and find other habitats (Casper, 14). This may be a big blow especially when the region acts as a tourist attraction site. Consequently, this particular region would experience low tourist turnout, thus income from tourism activities in the area would go down. Moreover, in cool regions such as, the arctic and Antarctic areas, various species of organisms would be endangered. Therefore, organism which are known to adapt to such environments like penguins, may find their existence coming to an extinct. Moreover, the living vegetation may also be affected temperatures rise. For instance; high temperatures might induce fire that can destroy the vegetation resulting to desertification. Global warming is to some extent also known to cause human disease problems in relation to the environment. This is due to temperature increase that is known to favor certain types of living organisms. Some viral diseases spread faster in a warm temperature as compared to cool temperature. Algae and Vibrio Cholerae grow faster with increased nitrogen, carbon dioxide and warmer environments. Consequently, when algae are present, Vibrio cholerae adhere to algae, and undergo reversion to an infectious state which is in other cases inhibited without algae (Casper, 7). Furthermore, malaria disease infection has high chances in higher temperatures which, has been known globally to be one of the major killer disease especially in dry areas. Furthermore, in the perspective of possible occurrence, it has been noticed that some animals and birds would move to drier areas. Consequently, these migrations might come in with disease especially air borne that might eventually be cause harm to human beings.  In addition, the high temperatures resulting from global warming tend to increase mortality rate a given population.  Furthermore, research has shown that high temperatures have been related with cardiovascular diseases.  Consequently, there are instances which have been reported to arise such as heart stroke which develop as a result of higher temperatures. The pulmonary aspects of global warming appear as aero-allergens levels increase. Apparently, this is as a result of the process of dilation that occurs in the human blood system thus, poses as a health hazard. Moreover, respiratory problems have a tendency to occur due to the increased temperatures. Generally, too much heat due to high temperature lead to high exhaustion rates that lower the productiveness of human beings. Consequently, low productivity would in turn result to lower yield thus, slowing down the economic growth. Furthermore, high temperatures lead, to a lot of heat being generated that may result to sun burns in most people. In addition, human beings would face difficulty in the food production. Consequently, the often changing climatic condition as a result from global warming serves as a setback in the agricultural economy. Moreover, the weather condition become unpredictable and farmers suffer a big blow as a result of changes in climatic variation. Apparently, not all effects of global warming are negative, For instance; in colder regions, warmer temperatures would increase the growing season duration. Northern countries like Russia and Canada show great rewards of longer growing seasons. Some studies show that the beneficial effects of climate change such as global warming would in a way offset the adverse ones in the general agricultural production in America. Furthermore, higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase efficiency in which plant use water thus offsetting some adverse effects of dryer soils. High carbon dioxide levels also have a fertilizing effect that would make it possible for plants to grow more rapidly. For instance; carbon dioxide concentration of 550 parts per million increases crop yield in some regions by 30%-40%. Cultivation of new land is profitable with high carbon dioxide as it result to 0.2%- 1.2% increase in agricultural production. Conclusion Global warming affects human being in many ways, for instance; in health through heat stress, weather disasters, land and water scarcity, non-infectious diseases, nutritional health and infectious diseases. Substantial evidence from scientific studies indicates, that an increase in the global average temperature of more than 2 degrees Celsius [°C]) above pre-industrial levels poses severe risks to human health and well-being and natural systems. Moreover greenhouse gases emissions resulting to global warming are as a result of human activities such as fossil fuel burning or deforestation, which, trap heat that would escape from the earth if it were not for the gases. Also, certain agricultural and waste management practices worsen the problem by releasing other global warming gases that are potent such as nitrous oxide and methane. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recently made a prediction of a 1 to 3.5 degree Celsius increase in average atmospheric temperature above 1990 levels by the year 2100.This awakens the call to put more efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases as it’s mainly as a result of human activities. The over relying on coal, gasoline, coal and natural gas, is a major challenge as this result to emission of greenhouse gases. Global warming serves as a major setback in the development of the economy of a given nation. Furthermore, industries are coming up at a high rate and are posing a great challenge in environment ecosystem. In addition, the amount of pollution from industries is increasing which has left government agencies with strategic planning to be conducted (Böhringer et al, 23). The increases in vehicles have also contributed to global warming and it has posed a challenge on better mitigation measures. The consequences of global warming may lead to the reduction in progress in the economy of the world. Even though some effects of global warming seem favorable like; high productivity as a result of high carbon dioxide present and summer hiking, the disadvantages are more severe. Therefore, this calls on stakeholders to come together and plan on effective ways to mitigate this global warming problem. References Böhringer, Christoph, and Michael Finus. Controlling Global Warming: Perspectives from Economics, Game Theory, and Public Choice. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2002. Print. Billy, Cynthia A.. Global warming. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Print. Casper, Julie Kerr. Global warming trends: ecological footprints. New York, NY: Facts on File, 2009. Print. Casper, Julie Kerr. Changing ecosystems: effects of global warming. New York: Facts on File, 2010. Print. Grayman, W. M.. Toward a sustainable water future: visions for 2050. Reston, Va.: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2012. Print. Maslin, Mark. Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and the Future. New York: Sarup & Sons, 2007. Print. Read More