Global Warming

Global Warming

Global warming is the gradual rise of the earth’s temperature because of greenhouse gases, for example carbon dioxide, that trap heat that would have otherwise escaped from the earth. Worldwide atmospheric concentrations of methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide have drastically increased because of human activities since the 1750s when humans started using coal to produce energy (Koebler, 2013). The global increase of carbon dioxide (that is the main contributor to global warming) levels is mainly due to use of fossil fuels. Due to reliance on industries and machines, global warming is likely to be phenomena that human beings will grapple with for many years to come. As more and more of the world becomes industrialized, the issue of global warming is likely to become worse.

            Almost everybody in the world deals with exhaust fumes from vehicles on a daily basis. Whether a person owns his or her own vehicle or rides the bus, we rely on vehicles to take us from one point to another. Exhaust fumes originate from inefficiencies in a vehicles internal combustion engine. Exhaust fumes have methane and carbon dioxide gases which contribute to greenhouse effect that causes global warming.

            Both gas and coal are fossil fuels. Burning them to produce electricity makes greenhouse gas discharges that increase global warming. For example, more than one-half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States originate from stationary sources like power plants. In 2008, 49% of American power plants used coal to generate energy and 23% used natural gas (Koebler, 2013). Reliance on gas and coal to produce energy in developed nations is significantly contributing to global warming.

            Forests and trees have a significant role in the carbon cycle (Riebeek, 2010). Trees help to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air into oxygen through a procedure called photosynthesis. Trees therefore act as natural regulators of the CO2 levels in the atmosphere. With more trees, there will be more oxygen and less CO2 in the air. As CO2 levels increase in the atmosphere, so will the level of global warming. Some scientists believe that in spite of the numerous campaigns over the decades to sensitize people on the dangers of CO2, it will still eventually destroy the planet (Allegre, 2013).

Global warming affects public health. While several communities struggle with the sicknesses associated with air pollution, they are also facing health problems associated with global warming. It is expected that global warming will increase the death and sicknesses caused by heat waves and cause flooding, storms, water pollution and increased vector, for example mosquito, borne infections (McCauley, 2013). The vulnerable people in society -for example infants, seniors, and children- will be affected more by increases in temperature.

Global warming will harm the quality of air. A stable air mass, higher temperatures and strong sunlight are perfect for creation of ground-level ozone, the main constituent of smog. Ground-level ozone (CO3) is a very reactive gas that damages lung tissue by chemically reacting with it, causing increased respiratory and inflammatory symptoms (McCauley, 2013).

Global warming causes asthma and allergies. In recent years, asthma has become widespread, especially in children. Recent research indicates that global warming might increase levels of asthma and allergies because of rising amounts of CO3 and other ecological factors like increased pollen production. A 2008 Harvard Medical School study discovered increased pollen production from certain plants by mimicking spring weather and the global warming effects during this season (Levitan, 2013). Therefore, the mixture of increasing temperature, high ozone levels, the increased intensity, and length of pollen seasons will considerably people living with asthma and allergies. 

            Global warming will cause rising sea levels. In the 20^th Century, global sea levels have risen from an average of 4 inches to 8 inches (Levitan, 2013). This is almost ten times the average level for the last 2,000 years. The increase is predicted to continue with likely disastrous increases of several meters if the ice on Antarctica and Greenland continue to collapse. An example of increased water levels is in Bermuda where mangrove forests today are lined with trees that have recently drowned. 

            Global warming is causing vanishing glaciers and a shrinking snowpack. Mountain snowpack makes up an important reservoir of fresh water. Mountain snowpack also forms that basis for a multibillion-dollar worldwide ski industry. In the U.S., in last decade, in the Rocky Mountains Spring snowpack has reduced by 18% and in the Cascade by 31% due to rising global temperatures (Levitan, 2013). Additionally, snowmelt during springtime in the western part of the U.S. now starts on average 10 days earlier, dropping stream levels in the summer months. In Africa, since 1912, 80% of the snow on Mt. Kilimanjaro has vanished, with approximately one-third of the melting occurring in the last decade. 

Some people argue that global warming is inevitable because we need cars for transportation. They argue that without cars, a developed society cannot function. Cars form a central part of our daily lives because we use them to travel. Airplanes that also contribute to global warming are very important for transportation. It is difficult to envisage a world without cars or planes. Without these two, the world as we know it would cease to exist.

            Some people say that although cutting of trees contributes to global warming, we have no choice. Trees are cut down for several reasons. For example, to make paper, make furniture, and create spaces for industries, settlements and agricultural lands. Therefore, with a rapidly rising global population, it will almost be impossible to stop cutting trees because the need for timber is constantly increasing. The reality is that we need energy and electricity every day. Therefore, burning of coal and gas is still a very significant part of everyday life. Alternative energy sources have not proved to be very successful and therefore our reliance on gas and coal to generate energy is likely it remain the same.

Global warming can be reduced by avoiding carbon emissions and gas use. By doing so, everybody will help to avoid increasing gas prices and radically reduce our daily carbon emissions from cars' usage. People can also be encouraged to put hybrid vehicles although they will still be dependent on fossil fuel to power the cars. People can also be encouraged to use alternative modes of transport, for example bicycles, especially for short distances because they are much healthier and do not leave any carbon footprint (Allegre, 2013).

Global warming can be reduced by eating local, fresh foods that encourage a healthy environment (Traufetter, 2010). In recent years, there has been a significant increase of organic foods in supermarkets and other food outlets. This has been done because people have to come to realize the importance of healthy eating and food production. Inorganic foods that are found in most supermarkets and fast foods outlets have a bearing on global warming because they are transported over long distances because of their imperishable nature. If you check the stickers on some of the foods in supermarkets, you will find “produced in” and in most cases, the country mentioned is miles away. Transportation of these foods contributes to global warming. Therefore, to help reduce global warming people should avoid pre-manufactured foods.

In order to reduce global warming people should learn how to reduce their home’s carbon footprint. Modern homes are constructed using synthetic materials and other materials that have high-embodied energy. This sadly means that modern houses are major contributors to global warming. Concrete is the second most used material behind water and it takes a lot of energy to produce it. Apart from that, the manufacturing process used in making concrete is highly polluting. According to Traufetter (2010), people can reduce global warming by lowering their energy bills with homes that are designed for extreme energy efficiency. One of the best ways of doing this is by using solar power in homes. Solar powered houses have a smart design that can significantly lessen the necessity for active energy cooling and heating systems. Solar powered houses stay cooler than conventional houses and therefore better energy effectiveness equals a smaller carbon footprint.

Global warming can be reduced by reducing the overall use of fossil fuels (Allegre, 2013). Use of fossil fuels increases the amounts of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Some of the best-known methods of reducing the burning of fossil fuels include using alternative or less energy, using nonpolluting energy sources, for example wind and solar wind power. People can also be encouraged to save energy by using fluorescent light bulbs, energy-efficient appliances as well as purchasing green power if available from electricity providers and reducing gasoline use.

Global warming is a problem that cannot be wished away. It affects each one of us because what is done in one corner of the earth affects the entire ecosystem. Although some people are extremely pessimistic about the possibility of reducing global warming, it has to be done for the sake of coming generations. For the war on global warming to be won, individuals need to acknowledge this problem and own it. Shifting the blame to other people, industries or nations will not help in overcoming the problem. It is upon governments, huge companies, and influential figures to lead efforts to stop global warming. If this will not done in time, some scientists have predicted the world, as we know it may not exist in centuries to come. Since solutions to the problem of global warming are known, there should be concerted efforts by all people interested in safeguarding then environment and human health to ensure that the problem is curbed. 

References:

Allegre, C. (April 23, 2013) No Need to Panic About Global Warming. Retrieved from

       http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html

Koebler, J. (April 11, 2013). USDA Climate Head: Global Warming To Bring More 'Miserable

       Days'. Retrieved from

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/04/11/usda-climate-head-global-warming-to-bring-more-miserable-days

Levitan, D. (March 23, 2013) Quick-Change Planet: Do Global Climate Tipping Points Exist?

       Retrieved from

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-global-tipping-points-exist

McCauley, L. (April 24, 2013). New Research Shows Global Warming Speeding Up.

          Retrieved from https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/03/28-1

Riebeek, H. (June 3, 2010). Global Warming Retrieved from 

            http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/

Traufetter, G. (April 01, 2010). Climate Catastrophe: A Superstorm for Global Warming

       Research. Retrieved from

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/climate-catastrophe-a-superstorm-for-global-warming-research-a-686697.html