Consequences of Global Warming - Essay Example

Global Warming Currently, the consequences of global warming are becoming clear. Increases cases of floods, extreme weather such as drought, and seasonal changes are some of the aspects that are associated with global warming. The topic of global warming can be understood effectively by looking at it in two different dimensions, i.e. technical and public sphere. This is significant in enabling the policy makers to draft policies and a campaign that will enlighten the people on the importance of embracing sustainable development. Personally, I believe that global warming is an issue that need to be tackled holistically by all people and the relevant authorities without blaming each other for the current worsening conditions. Technically, global warming is a problem that emanates from the presence of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This acts as a blanket which traps heat, thereby warming the planet. Other gases such as methane and nitrous oxide have the same effect. Therefore, burning of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy leads to accumulation of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere. Scientific evidence indicate that an increase in global average temperature by 3.6 (F) poses a major risk to the natural systems and the existence of the human beings (Smith 18). Scientists have discovered that methane is mainly released by landfills and various agricultural practices such as use of nitrous oxide from fertilizers. In addition the gas is released through both industrial and refrigeration processes. Greenhouse gas emission is one of the major causes of global warming; global warming, thus, results from the greenhouse effect. The latter involves a process through which the emission and absorption of infrared radiation through the gases in the earth’s atmosphere, which warms the lower atmosphere and the surface of the earth (Smith 26). On the surface of the earth, the naturally occurring greenhouse gases have a mean warming effect of approximately 59˚F. Without the existence of the Earth’s atmosphere, the average temperature on the planet would be lowered to the freezing point. The major greenhouse gases exist in terms of water vapor that results in about 30-70% of the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming. Scientists have pointed out that carbon dioxide causes 10-25%; methane causes 5-10%; and the ozone causes 3-8% of the greenhouse effects. Scientists have also pointed out that human activity that began during the times of Industrial Revolution in the United States and Western Europe increased the level of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, which has, as a result, led to the high amounts of radiation resulting from chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxides, and the other gases mentioned above. This rise has been modeled by the Keeling Curve to document the increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 1958 to the end of 2013. Figure 1 Keeling Curve According to projection of the Curve, the emission of carbon dioxide in month indicates a seasonal fluctuation that results in an upward trend (an increase in the emission of CFCs in the atmosphere). Annual high amounts of carbon emission are reported in the Northern Hemisphere during spring and reduce during summer as plants emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Scientists have also devised various models that are important in the calculation of global warming using various climate models provided for in the SRES A2 emission cases, which assumes that there is no action programmed towards the reduction of greenhouse gases emission and regional economic blocs in the world. Using the climate model, which is a computer program that simulates the chemical, physical, and biological events that affect the climate, scientists show how these events lead to global warming. Based on thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, and radiative transfer, scientists indicate that variables, including the movement of local air, clouds, temperature, and other atmospheric factors lead to global warming (Smith 78). These other factors include circulation, salt content, sea temperature, general ice cover, soil and vegetation transfer of moisture are indication, used in the climate model, to show the extent and damages caused by global warming. Scientists have noted various effects of global warming, which have been scientifically observed through the rise of the sea level, alterations in climate extremes, glacier recession, decline of the polar ice, and greening of parts of the Sahara Desert. Researchers indicated that in the current century the snow cover and glaciers are indicated to continue experiencing reduction. Statistical projections also indicate a decline in the Arctic Ocean ice and recent projections have suggested that summers in the Polar Regions could experience 20-0% of ice between 2025 and 2030. Such statistics are important in the detection, which refers to the scientific process of indicating that the level of climate change has been altered in some statistical manner, without being categorical on the factors that have led to that change. These statistics are an indication of the need to intervene in order to reverse this worsening trend. In addition, the scientific facts are significant in providing the necessary bodies with a background for the course of action. I believe that the developed countries which have invested heavily in modern research concerning global warming should take the center stage in trying to reduce the repercussions of global warming. This is because scientific information pinpoint that industries have been playing a significant role in releasing green house gases in the atmosphere. People take global warming as a phenomenon that has been brought by the superpowers. They think that it emanates from industrial activities. The members of the public are not aware of how to take personal responsibility in order to deal with this issue. Instead, they look up to the government in order to come up with the solution. This is despite the fact that global warming can be reduced in case people stop some of their activities that releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For instance, burning of plastic bags and cutting down of trees are some of the small activities that plays a significant role in aggravating the already worse conditions. Other people think that it is the responsibility of the global bodies such as UNEP to deal with this issue. Another group of thought argues that the developed countries cannot be able to participate in reducing the level of global warming (Smith 54). Instead, they argue that the attention needs to be directed towards developing countries which are yet to invest heavily in energy which pollutes the environment. Therefore, they argue that global warming can be reduced by funding various energy projects that will enable the countries to spearhead growth and development using clean energy. People take global warming as a phenomenon that emanates from the actions of the previous generations. However, global warming escalated after World War I when countries shifted their attention towards industrializing their economies. In order to generate enough power for the industries, they started using coal and other forms of energy which were non-renewable. This aspect increased the levels of pollution thereby, leading to rising of temperature levels. People believe that global warming is a phenomenon that has escalated after the world has taken environment as a common-pool resource. Therefore, there is no one who can take the responsibility for the climatic conditions. Although no one can be excluded from using it, the diminishing aspect of this resource is subject to free-rider problem. However, members of the public believe that environmental social movements have a major impact in reversing this trend. This is through launching of various campaigns to pile pressure on governments to put up measures that will protect the environment. Some of these include imposing a heavy tax on environmental polluters (Smith 16). Nevertheless, majority of people believe that sustainable development is the only aspect that will enable the world to protect the current environment on behalf of the future generation. Therefore, although some believes that the government and social groups have a major role in sensitizing people on importance of keeping a clean environment. In conclusion, there is a link between the scientific and public sphere in relation to global warming. Scientists believe that a holistic approach which will involve the members of public and all other stakeholders will be significant role in reversing the current trend. In addition, they believe that the world needs to work as a single unit towards this common problem. However, the administrations with support from non-governmental organizations should take an initiative to educate people on the need to take personal responsibility in order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide gas being released in the atmosphere. Works Cited Smith, Philip. Climate Change As Social Drama: Global Warming in the Public Sphere. N.p., 2015. Print. Read More