Rise in the Temperature of the Earth - Report Example

Heat Waves INTRODUCTION Heat wave also known as the global warming is the rise in the temperature of the earth. This mainly occurs due to the effect of greenhouse gases on the earth. The greenhouse gases are the gases that are present on the earth that absorbs the heat from the sunlight and hence, increases the temperature of the earth (Paterson 1-256). Contextually, the essay intends to explain the ‘nuts and bolts’ of heat waves and its causes. Moreover, it also unfolds the major consequences with regards to heat waves. It further provides the prospects and the results of the meteorological science in the field of global warming. METEOROLOGICAL CAUSES / CONCEPTS Meteorology is the branch of science that deals with the study of the atmosphere of the earth. There are three fundamental aspects of Meteorology (Cameron and Craig 1-96). These are observation, understanding and predicting the weather of the earth or a certain region of the earth for a definite period of time. Some of the instruments that are useful in the meteorological science are thermometer for measuring the temperature, anemometer for measuring the speed of wind and many more. The observation of the atmosphere has significantly developed due to advanced technology in the field. The use of technologically advanced satellites and communication sources has provided a significant impact. The analysis of those observed scenarios is done through the use of various charts and the application of Informatics and many more. Through analyzing the observed elements a prediction is made for the future scenario of the atmosphere of a particular region of the earth (Indian Meteorological Department, “Meteorology”). There are several meteorological organizations in this world that observes and predict the state and the behavior of the earth’s atmosphere. One of the most significant and the most reputed organization is the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). WMO is the specialized agency of the United Nations. As per the WMO there are several reasons of climate change in the global environment. One of them is the ‘Greenhouse gases’. The concentration of some of the greenhouse gases from the year 0 to 2035 is depicted below: Source: (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”) There are several gases that are regarded as the greenhouse gases. One of them is the water vapor, concentration of which is observed to be the maximum among all the greenhouse gases. Another, component gas is the carbon dioxide (CO2). Since, the industrial revolution the level CO2 in the earth has increased by 30% (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”). Moreover, methane gas is also a key greenhouse gas on the earth. It is more harmful than CO2 as it absorbs more heat than CO2. Further, nitrous oxide is also considered as a greenhouse gas. This gas is mainly emitted through the fertilizers used in the agricultural processes. Furthermore, a man made gas namely, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is also being considered as a greenhouse gas. CFC is majorly used in the industrial sector. It is extensively used in refrigerators and air conditioners (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”). The monthly and the yearly average CO2 in Mauna Loa in the Hawaii island of the US is depicted through a graphical representation as follows: Source: (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”) Besides, the effect of greenhouse gases, there are also certain causes for the climatic change on the earth. According to the WMO, one of such aspect is the presence of aerosols in the atmosphere. Aerosol absorbs the solar rays, especially the infrared and, scatters those rays in the earth’s atmosphere. Furthermore, aerosol also changes the chemical and the microphysical nature of the cloud and hence, alters the possible lifetime of the cloud. This may result in scarce rainfall or a climate of extreme rain (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”). Another aspect as mentioned by WMO with regards to the causes of climate change in the changing pattern in the usage of land by the mankind. The extreme deforestation for the purpose of industrial growth, agricultural lands, households, and many more have reduced the forest cover on the earth. This has made the sunrays to directly fall onto the surface of the earth and hence, the temperature of the earth has significantly increased (World Meteorological Organization, “Causes of Climate Change”). MAJOR CONSEQUENCES The world has observed some of the devastating impacts of the heat waves in this era. This has significantly affected the people, infrastructure, and the natural system of the earth. The biggest evidence is seen in the rise of the average temperature of the earth. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there has been a rise 0.8 degree Celsius in the global temperature. Moreover, the effect of rising temperature is observed in the polar region of the earth. The ice of these regions has already started melting extensively because of the extreme heat waves of the earth (Lallanilla, “Effects of Global Warming”). The heat waves have also resulted in the extreme weather change of the world. There have been serious cases of the record breaking temperatures in the past few years. There also have been adverse environmental cases like high rainfall and floods, landslides, intense storm, and many more. This has further, resulted into the shift of the climate pattern of the earth. There have been cases of late monsoon, change in the wind pattern, early or late entry of summer and winter and more (Lallanilla, “Effects of Global Warming”). The earth has also witnessed the rise of sea level. The rise in the sea level is mainly because of the melting of the ice in the Polar Regions. This rise in the sea level would result in the disappearance of the coastal regions of the earth. Furthermore, the oceans are also getting acidified due to the rise of the atmospheric CO2 level. This acidification of the oceans is significantly affecting the people residing in the coastal regions and marine habitat (Lallanilla, “Effects of Global Warming”). The increase in the heat waves has also given rise to some of the life-threatening diseases to the mankind like cancer, and many more. Besides affecting the human beings, it has also affected the plants and animals on the earth. Several of the animals have witnessed to move to the higher altitudes and to the directions of the Polar Regions (Lallanilla, “Effects of Global Warming”). PROSPECTS / RESULTS The human beings on the earth can be prepared for any next big devastating event related to the heat waves like the draught, famines, floods, and earthquakes among others. The consequences of these devastating events can be curbed through inventing advanced technologies for the use of meteorological department capable of observing and predicating any changes taking place on the earth’s atmosphere. The technological development would help to predict the devastating events and take necessary precautionary steps well in advance. Moreover, the vital step to reduce the heat waves is to undergo a-forestation. A-forestation means plantation of trees. The plantation of trees would reduce the CO2 level and the level of the other harmful gases of greenhouse. Hence, this would reduce the earth’s temperature to the previous standardized level. Moreover, it would also maintain the same temperature for years to come. Another measure to reduce the heat waves of the earth is by avoiding the use of fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, and many more. These fuels emit more CO2 and hence, are one of the main causes of heat waves. Thus, using renewable alternative sources of energy would have no effect on the biosphere of the earth. The several types of such sources are the bio-fuels, solar energy, hydroelectric energy, and many more. Furthermore, recycling of products would allow minimum wastage and would simultaneously decrease the heat waves. This is so because the polluted environment consumes more heat and results in the rise of heat waves. In this regard, avoiding of the products with more packaging would also be more effective. The packages create more waste and hence, contribute towards increasing heat waves. Furthermore, replacing the ordinary bulbs to the CFLs or even to the LEDs would not only reduce the consumption of energy, but also reduce the CO2 level on the earth. Last but not the least; generating adequate awareness among the people regarding the effects of the rising heat waves and the precautionary steps that can be taken in order to deal with the related threat can also be considered as an effective measure (Harris and Roach, “The Economics of Global Climate Change”; Goklany, “Applying the Precautionary Principle to Global Warming”). CONCLUSION With the rise of industrialization and the changes in the living pattern of mankind, the rise of heat waves throughout the earth has been the major threat to the survival of life. The greenhouse gases have been the key reason behind the rising heat waves. The rising heat waves not only affected the mankind, but also the entire biosphere of the earth including all the animals and plants. However, it is the responsibility of the human beings to minimize the effect of heat waves and take the necessary precautionary measures. Thus, it is the supreme responsibility of every individual to preserve the earth and offer a better biosphere for the future generation to come. Works Cited Cameron, Schyrlet and Carolyn Craig. Science Games and Puzzles, Grades 5 – 8. The United States: Carson-Dellosa Publishing, 2012. Print. Goklany, I. M. Applying the Precautionary Principle to Global Warming. 2000. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. Harris, Jonathan M., and Brian Roach. The Economics of Global Climate Change. 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. “Meteorology.” Indian Meteorological Department. 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. “Effects of Global Warming.” Lallanilla, Marc2013. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. Paterson, Matthew. Global Warming and Global Politics. United Kingdom: Routledge, 2013. Print. “Causes of Climate Change.” World Meteorological Organization. 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. Read More