Long term effects of CO2 emmisions - Essay Example

Running Head: CO2 Emissions Insert His/her LONG TERM EFFECT OF CO2 EMMISSION Carbon dioxide gas bearing the chemical formula CO2 is an acidic oxide. When two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom are covalently bonded they form a molecule known as CO2. The chart of air composition shows that there is approximately 0.035% of CO2 in the atmosphere. A short-term exposure to CO2 is not injurious to human health. However, high concentrations of this gas can have toxic or harmful effects. Volunteers exposed to CO2 experienced increased depth of breathing, dyspnea, increase in pulse rate, headaches, restlessness, vision distortion (photophobia), dizziness, sweating, decreased mental performance and discomfort.

Minute amounts of CO2 are produced during cellular metabolism and CO2 is a normal component of the human body. CO2 is present in the blood in the form of dissolved CO2, carbonic acid, and the bicarbonate ion. (CCOHS) The majority of CO2 is excreted from the body as exhaled air. Global warming which in an overall increase in the earth’s temperature is caused due to the extensive emission of green house gases (one of these is CO2). CO2 is produced by manufacturing industries that let out their wastes in the form of smoke.

Other sources are light and heavy vehicles, volcanic eruptions, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and deforestation. It is a known fact that CO2 has harmful effects but the long term effects and consequences that this gas has on the environment cannot be known for sure. The reason behind this is that the atmosphere of the earth is extremely complex and is composed of not only the carbon dioxide gas but a combination of numerous other variables. The climatic conditions of a region can be predicted to a certain extent by experts who collect data and information.

This data is not always adequate and accurate because nature is sometimes beyond man’s knowledge and understanding. Nature is unpredictable. We can only make guesses or assumptions as to what might take place in the future but cannot fully justify it. Fossil fuels have the capacity to satisfy the energy demands of the entire world. The present world significantly owes its technological and mechanical evolution to fossil fuels. Among all the resources of energy found on the earth, fossil fuels are the most accepted.

Almost the use of all fossil fuels involves combustion which pollutes the environment by producing CO2 as by product. Carbon is that part which makes fossil fuel useful. But whether this byproduct is harmful or not, is a matter of intense public debate. Some quarrel that they are advantageous, because carbon dioxide is essential for plant life, which is the root for all existence. Some think, that carbon dioxide emissions add to detrimental global warming and climate alteration, either now or in the future.

Those who fear climate change have proposed new government policies to considerably reduce the use of fossil fuels. Those who do not fear climate change are cynical of these proposed policies. There is also great debate about the discipline of climate change. Thus, the enforcement of laws to reduce the use of fossil fuels is not completely justified, as it will pose a threat to the economic development and prosperity of a nation. There is a risk because excessive use of fossil fuels may have unfavorable effects on the overall climate and may damage the ozone layer which is a protective layer against the ultraviolet rays of the sun that can have horrendous outcomes.

However, fossil fuels have several advantages over other sources of energy. This is why they are still the major energy supplier of the world. Fossil fuels have a very high energy value. Fossil fuels are uncomplicated to extract and process and are cheaper than the non-conventional forms of power. Due to rapid modernization, the demands for fossil fuels are escalating and this is why no nation can do without them. (Ashwini Kulkarne Sule) References CCOHS (Canada’s National and Occupational Health and Safety Resource), Health Effects of Carbon dioxide Gas, Web, 2011.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/carbon_dioxide/health_cd.html?print Sule, A.K. Fossil Fuels: Advantages and Disadvantages, Web, 2011. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fossil-fuels-advantages-and-disadvantages.html .