Climate Change and Management - Assignment Example

Climate Change and Management Introduction Our beautiful earth since its origination has been a ‘hotbed’ of activity. Activity in the sense, we humans has involved in various activities, utilizing our physical as well as mental part. These activities only caused tremendous transformations, with our globe evolving from a primitive one to a developed one. But, one can surely say that these activities of humans do not result in development only, as the same physical and mental activities have resulted in destructions to our earth as well. That is, in his/her quest to achieve advancement humans have invented or inventing many tools. But like a simple rope which can also be used to constrict one’s neck, the same tools have turned out to be life damaging tools, transforming into a threatening phenomenon, damaging the lives of the humans themselves as well as the earth’s environment. So, this paper will discuss one of those threatening phenomenon called global warming or climate change by first focusing on what causes it and importantly how it is being mitigated with by optimal management strategies. Background Our globe due to its position in the solar system is the recipient of comfortable warmth from the sun. This has been the feature of earth from its origination, many billion years ago. Without delving too much into how the earth originated, one can say that the earth has become ‘extra’ hotter during all these years. That is, from the comfortable heat our ancestors faced, the globe we are living in, is being exposed to a lot more hotness causing dangerous repercussions. So, this increase in the average temperature on the Earths near-surface air and even in the oceans in recent years or decades is only known as global warming or climate change. The other terms, which are used commonly and that also in a way means global warming, are climate change, climate variability, global cooling or even anthropogenic climate change, which is used if the changes are human induced. Our globe gets warmed or the climate gets changed due to various processes that take place inside and outside the earth like the earth’s rotation on its orbit, flow of air currents, rays from the sun, etc. But, from the ancient times itself, earth have been getting warmer due to some factors, other than the above processes like the volcanic emissions. Then, after the industrialization has set in, earth got even warmer or hotter due to artificial factors. One of the artificial factors and a byproduct of industrialization, which is the chief culprit of climate change, is the emission of greenhouse gases. “National and international scientific bodies studying climate change have tended to regard it as a universal and global scale problem of atmospheric emissions” (Demeritt, 2001, p.310). The industries and motorized vehicles only release most of the green house gases into the atmosphere without adopting any preventive measures. Most of the scientific researches prove this fact about greenhouse gases because global warming had peaked as a phenomenon in the last 50 years, going ‘hand-in-hand’ with the industrialization and development, which is taking place in most of the countries of the world, particularly the western countries. The global average surface temperature has increased by approximately 0.6 degree Celsius over the past 100years... This temperature is projected to increase by from 1.4 degree Celsius to 5.8 degree Celsius over the period 1990-2100. (Gaston and Spicer, 2004, p.121) Role of Greenhouse gases particularly Carbon Dioxide level Greenhouse gas (GHG) is the term given to the naturally occurring or human produced gas, which creates a ‘greenhouse effect’. The list of greenhouse gases includes water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and nitrous oxide. Apart from these major GHGs, certain other gases like sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons also leads to climate change. The ‘Greenhouse effect’ happens when the above gases due to over production builds up in large quantities in the earth’s atmosphere, causing abnormal heating of the earth. Among these greenhouse gases, the one, which has the most virility, is Carbon dioxide (Co2). The level of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has shown an uphill path, again due to industrialization. Carbon dioxide is released from various industries and fuel using vehicles in the form of smokes. “Humans have been modifying the environment through processes associated with industrialization...One of the most important results of these activities has been increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)” (Berliner, 2004). It is a common fact that humans normally exhale carbon dioxide, as build up of it in the human body will kill the person. But, carbon dioxide exiting from the industries as well as fuel based vehicles will build up the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The exposure of it will affect the human’s organs causing many diseases including lung diseases, cancers and even death. Apart from the humans, carbon dioxide also affects the natural environment especially the coral reefs. That is, the corals normally need calcium to grow and survive, but the rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and also in the oceans have caused a drop in the amount of calcium. The coral reefs without calcium cannot achieve growth and also cannot repair itself. So, climate change or global warming because of carbon dioxide is having a very negative impact on the human lives as well as on the environment. Damages caused due to disappearing glaciers and melting ice landmass Due to climate change or global warming and raise in temperatures, glaciers in various parts of the world have disappeared due to the excessive melting, it undergoes even in normal cold months. The landmass like the Arctic and Antarctica are also feeling the heat of global warming. “The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world and the sea ice cover shrank to a record low in 2007 before growing slightly in 2008. In 2004 a major international panel forecast the cover could vanish by 2100…If the ice cover disappears, it could have major consequences.” (Ljunggren, 2009). The damages these changes in glaciers could wreck will be extensive affecting various aspects from difficulty in getting fresh water for irrigation and domestic use to problems that will rise due to the raise in the sea level. The excessive melting of glaciers will deplete it fully thereby reducing the flow or runoff of fresh water from the mountains. This reduction in runoff will minimize the quantity of drinking water available to humans leading to graver consequences and will also affect irrigation to crops causing less yield, starvation or even famine. This situation is more acute in the South American countries because most of the agriculture is based on the artificial lakes filled by the glaciers. “Scientists on Tuesday blamed global warming for the disappearance of a glacial lake in remote southern Chile”. (Gallardo, 2007) Then this melting of glaciers and landmass can also affect the animals especially the fish species, Polar bears and other Poles (Polar ice caps) inhabiting animals. The fishes especially Solomon and Cutthroat trout, needs cold water from the glaciers to survive and breed, but this melting have posed difficulties for them. The other threat due to this global warming effect, which would cause damage to most living things and even structures in specific countries, is the raise in sea level. With the melting of landmass and huge glaciers completely, the influx of more water into the sea is happening with clear raise in sea level. The fact is, if the polar ice caps melt, the oceans of the world will be filled with more water leading to an estimated rise of 70 m. This raise in sea level has and will also continue to submerge many low-lying lands. Many low lying countries like Bangladesh and Mauritius have lost good portion of their land to sea. With the land getting submerged, a lot of damage had befallen on all the living things from humans, animals, to non living things like houses, buildings and important monuments, structures etc. So, this extensive damage caused by one of the global warming effects could continue unabated. Damages caused due to extreme weather conditions As discussed above, Global warming is a broader term that can be used for different climate changes as well. That is, normally the climate of a place will change due to the revolution of the earth around the sun, with the flow of air currents and other artificial factors acting as the catalyst. However, due to the phenomenon of global warming, the climate changes to an extreme level overriding the already established settings. That is, the global warming by increasing the hotness of our earth have made the summer months hotter and even extended the summer months to extra periods. This extreme hot weather conditions affects the people greatly even leading to heat stroke deaths. Intense Heat waves deaths were occurring in large scale in 2000’s in European countries with older people constituting the majority of the deaths. Then, the extreme weather conditions caused by the global warming have enhanced the hydrological cycle of our earth leading to evaporations on a larger scale, resulting in droughts which are very intense and are lasting longer. The droughts could be seen occurring in many countries with agriculture being the worst affected. Also, the extreme heat conditions have increased the risk of wildfires, with wildfires happening frequently damaging a lot of natural resources useful for humans and the natural habitat of many species. “The number and size of large forest fires in the West have grown "suddenly and dramatically" in the past two decades in part because of global warming” (O’ Driscoll, 2006). The extreme weather conditions have also lead to the initiation and transmission of various diseases. Also, the disease-spreading mosquitoes have the ability to expand their range in extreme hot conditions causing various diseases. Finally, the economic sector has also been the victim of extreme weather conditions caused by global warming. In the review done by Stern the conclusion reached is, extreme weather might reduce global gross domestic product by up to 1%, and that in a worst case scenario global per capita consumption could fall to 20%. Mitigation Kyoto Protocol An important recommendation that should be enforced is the strong and feasible cap on global warming emissions through the ratification of Kyoto protocol by maximum countries, and importantly by making the industries in those countries to follow that set standards. The Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, stipulates that 37 industrialized countries including USA and the European community has to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But, USA because of the pressure of its industries in various sectors, in contradiction to popular opinion is not taking positive steps in that direction. USA should play the leading role by ratifying the treaty and thereby cut down CO2 emission maximally. “With the Kyoto Protocol coming into effect, all countries will have to take effective measures to reduce GHG emissions. Without the US coming on board, the target of around 5 per cent emission reductions would be difficult to achieve.” (Raghu, 2008). As part of the treaty or as independent actions, there should be a freeze in the establishment of greenhouse gas emitting industries. Although, all the existing industries, which cause global warming, cannot be closed, as it provides livelihood for many, the high emitters should be indefinitely closed. In the case of new industries, unless there is some kind of mechanism to curtail the emissions, no permission should be given to open them. So, if the government agencies restrict or even close down industries, who are emitting above normal levels of greenhouse gases, it will bring down global warming and bad effects of climate change very much. Usage of Eco-friendly products Most of the industries with their ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ emissions in all forms of matter from solid, liquid to gas negatively impact the environment leading skewed climate change. So, the contemporary ‘climate’ or trend is against using eco-damaging products. Due to that trend, many industries as part of positive management strategies have maximally adjusted or adjusting to the demand of the people and the government agencies, by using of eco-friendly products in the construction of their buildings and also for various other purposes. In response to the fact that global warming is a matter ought to be addressed by man to avert the impending possibility of climate change, invention of construction and design with less impact on the environment has become obligatory (Hiemstra, 2008). Thus, the final constructed building will be “environmentally friendly” or “green” in the every sense of the word. This usage of environmentally friendly or eco-friendly products and features will not only provide positive benefits to the occupants, but also to various sections from community, country to the entire world. Green Cement During the construction phase and also during the operational phase, there will be optimal carbon dioxide emissions due to various factors. During the construction phase, carbon dioxide is emitted by the materials used in construction. For example, cement, which is the primary component of concrete, is a major contributor of carbon dioxide emissions. That is, during the production of cement a lot of Carbon dioxide emissions happen. Alok Jha, green technology correspondent for the British newspaper, Guardian validates this fact, by stating, “Making traditional cement results in greenhouse gas emissions from two sources: it requires intense heat, and so a lot of energy to heat up the ovens that cook the raw material, such as limestone. That then releases further CO2 as it burns.” (ecoworldly.com, 2009). But, this negative effect of cement can be averted, if the industries by following positive management strategies go for ‘green cement’, the term given to cement, which instead of emitting carbon dioxide absorbs it. This green cement is made from magnesium silicates and other special mineral additives instead of calcium carbonate, or limestone, since magnesium silicates does not release CO2 while manufacturing and on the beneficial side absorbs many of the greenhouse gases including CO2 as it ages. As this new generation green cement locks CO2, all the industries should use it, instead of the traditional cement. By adopting this management strategy, industries can achieve the tag of eco-friendly and can keep on functioning optimally without any concern about their negative impacts on the climate change. Sustainable Designs Industries as well as other sectors from common population to government machineries can reduce CO2 emissions in its operations by constructing buildings incorporating sustainable designs. To sustain an environmentally friendly ecosystem, man has to make better choices in designing structures that put into perspective the renew ability of the planet. Therefore designs that can sustain human health and the earth need to be invented. These sustainable designs are mainly incorporated in waste and water management plans. Also, the energy sources for their constructions are made eco-friendly by going for renewable and safe energies. That is, industries as part of their management strategy should install turbines and solar panels to generate energy. The aim lies in creation of buildings that are capable of production of more energy than their consumption and generation of less waste. Taylor (2000) asserts that these buildings must thus generate their own energy, treat all of their captured water and exhibit maximum beauty, this being the epitome of their efficient operation .Organic buildings can keep the carbon stored in wood from going back into the environment for as long as the building exists, and at the same time avoiding the use of such energy intensive materials such as steels, concrete and bricks. With these initiatives, Industries can become Carbon neutral in the near future, so it does not contribute towards climate change and their destructive effects. Even though, Industries will need to input a lot of resources from financial to technological to achieve that distinction, it need to take every step to actualize that vision or distinction for a better future for the organization, stakeholders and importantly the people. Renewable energy sources Accumulation of carbon dioxide can be prevented to a good extent, if the exit of carbon dioxide is minimized by using energy efficient and renewable energy technologies. This will reduce the dependence on carbon dioxide emitting fuels and other energies. The usage of oil and coal energy is only emitting CO2 and contributing to the global warming or climate change. So, vehicles, buildings, industries should start using cleaner energies like LNG, solar power based technology, wind power, hydrogen fuel cells, etc. These above mentioned renewable energies are being generated at many places, and so if it is popularized all over the world and if it becomes the main energy generation options, then negative effects of climate change can be minimized. Although, it will be a difficult task to get rid of non-renewable energies completely and instead make people use safer renewable energies. It can be done in a phase-by-phase manner. Industries as well as the common people can be encouraged to utilize it and if they start feeling the benefits, it can become a global phenomenon. If an organisation incorporates renewable energy options as part of its management strategy, there will be benefits to all ‘stakeholders’ from the employees working in the organization, environment to all the people living else where. Employees of the organization, who are the crucial ‘components’ of any organization, can work in a safe environment if renewable energy is used. This safe environment would guarantee the health of the employees, thereby optimizing their productivity as well as company’s profits. “Expansion of renewable energies should appreciably improve the health status of the 700,000 US workers employed in the energy sector, according to a commentary by Medical College of Wisconsin researchers, in Milwaukee.” (sciencedaily.com, 2009). Paper components that require recycling could be reduced through the elimination of large scale advertising hence reducing the continuous massive depletion of forest resources. However termination of certain activities in ecological conservation is not equitable to throwing people out of work. This act is a capitalistic phenomenon. Conservation involves redefinition of tasks forming part of the plan under which the processes are needed to be carried out. The shift away from energy intensive and capital-intensive technologies creates more room for manpower. If it catches up and more and more people become users of this concept, it will lead to cleaner surrounding and good health. So, the damage to humans and environment caused by climate change due to the resultant accumulation of carbon dioxide can be prevented to a good extent, if the exit of carbon dioxide is minimized by using various other forms of fuels Minimization of Artificial Climate stimulating tools When artificial and technological tools are used to control global warming induced extreme heat, it should correctly used by the people, so it does not cause more global warming. For example, Air Conditioners and refrigerators, which are used to stimulate ‘favourable’ climatic conditions, also release greenhouse gases affecting the humans and the environment. So, people should buy and use Air Conditioners and Refrigerators which use refrigerants like CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), HFC (hydro-fluorocarbon) at minimum levels. Conclusion In a quest to reach an exalted or a dubious status, humans are putting their ‘home’ of earth under severe damage, strain, pressure, etc. This constant damage caused by the human manufactured greenhouse gases will stay for a longer time, causing climate change or global warming, with its repercussions affecting every form of life. So, whoever or whatever is the reason for climate change, the fact is it is a dangerous phenomenon, which needs to be curtailed as soon as possible. So, to eradicate or even minimize global warming from the face of the globe, positive steps should be taken by every country, its government and importantly by every individuals of this world. If this global warming and its extensive but preventable damages are eradicated or even minimized, the world of tomorrow will be a better and safer place to live for us, and for our children. “Unless we act now, our children will inherit a hotter world, dirtier air and water, more severe floods and droughts, and more wildfires” (National Resources Defense Council, 2008). So, eradication or even minimization of global warming and/or climate change will be a major panacea for our globe and us. References Berliner, M L, 2003, Uncertainty and Climate Change, Statistical Science, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 430- 435 Demeritt, D, 2001, The Construction of Global Warming and the Politics of Science, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, vol. 91, no. 2, pp. 307-337. ecoworldly.com, 2009, British Engineers have developed a new environmentally friendly Cement that is Carbon-negative, viewed 2 October 2009 http://ecoworldly.com/2009/01/02/cement-that-eats-carbon-dioxide-invented-by-british-scientists/ Gallardo, E, 2007, Global Warming Blamed for Vanishing Lake, viewed 2 October 2009 http://news.aol.com/story/_a/global-warming-blamed-for-vanishing- lake/n20070703213509990002 Gaston, KJ and Spicer, JI, 2004, Biodiversity: An Introduction, Blackwell Publishing, New York. Hiemstra, G., 2008, Sustainable housing for Universities and Colleges, viewed 2 October 2009 http://www.futurist.com/articles/environment-and-energy/sustainable-housing-for-colleges-universities Ljunggren, D., 2009, Arctic Summer ice could vanish by 2013: expert, viewed 2 October 2009 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/wl_canada_nm/canada_us_canada_arctic National Resources Defense Council, Consequences of Global Warming, viewed 2 October 2009. http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/fcons.asp O’Driscoll, P, 2006, Study links Extended Wildfire Seasons to Global Warming, USA Today, viewed 2 October 2009 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2006-07-06-climate-fires_x.htm Raghu, 2008, Russia Ratifies; US Isolated on Kyoto Treaty, viewed 2 October 2009 http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/368 sciencedaily.com, 2009, Renewable Energies Will Benefit US Workers Health, Expert Predicts, ScienceDaily, viewed 2 October 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818182004.htm Taylor, S, 2000, Green technology: Creating Organic buildings together, Journal for European Architects. 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