Anthropogenic Global Warming: Man’s Influence in the Environment
Since the Industrial Revolution, scientists are beginning to be aware as to the changing temperatures the Earth, which is now causing several consequences in the planet’s weather systems and the natural balance of the environment. The studies indicated a high increase in carbon dioxide emissions, influencing the increasing temperatures and the subsequent natural calamities that are now violent and destructive similar to nuclear and atomic weaponry. Resources, formerly rich and thriving, are now becoming scarce in various regions and people and animals alike are left with lesser supplies of food and water. Scientists have pointed out that man’s continuous evolution to digitalization and innovation had fast tracked the evolution of global warming; however, there are a few who believe that man did not cause global warming and its clearly just a natural cycle that the Earth needs to have to continue existing. However, given the nature of the side-effects of man’s quest to improvement and the carbon prints it leaves each year, it is indeed man’s fault that global warming exists in double strength.
The first signs of anthropogenic global warming had already been discovered sometime in the 17th century up to the 19th century. Johansen (2002) noted that carbon emissions caused by man had already caused some damage and studies regarding it began in the 1800s. The first notable work came from Arvid Hogborn, who theorized that a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide rates would indeed cause an increase in overall planet temperature, visible in the air. Another scientist, Swedish Svante Arrhenius also agreed to the discussion raised by Hogborn. In his 1896 paper entitled “On the Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air upon the Temperature of the Ground”; Arrhenius showcased a series of computations through the use of current measurements of absorption and transmission by water vapor and carbon dioxide in the period, to reveal the first mathematical model of the greenhouse effect. The theory also noted that the variations of constituents or carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could be a direct influence to the Earth’s heat capacity and supply. Given the data available in his time, Arrhenius utilized a theory equation to quantify the effects of either an increase or a decrease in carbon dioxide levels. The results showcased that Arctic temperatures would increase up to 8 to 9 degrees Celsius, if the carbon dioxide rates increase up to 2.5 to 3 times its current rate. Arrhenius had also used his equation to denote how similar temperatures to the ice age occur. His study noted that carbonic acid levels in the atmosphere should drop down up to 0.62 to 0.55 or a drop of 4 to 5 Celsius each year to revert back to the Ice Age . Pittock (2009) also stressed that other scientists had also done their research on how human’s additional carbon dioxide emissions influenced climate change. Two of the foremost experts in the 1950s to the 60s were Roger Revelle and Charles Keeling, scientists from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in California. Both scientists questioned how carbon dioxide influences the atmosphere and the planet. Revelle noted in his research that carbon dioxide is immediately returned back to the atmosphere due to the water cycle. For Keeling, his study of the Mauna Loa-Antarctica CO2 rates showcased that each year, carbon dioxide rate increases due to continuous anthropogenic carbon emissions, making global warming persist. Organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Environment Program and the International Council of Scientific Unions released a statement supporting that any additional carbon emission from man may cause increased global temperature increase that may influence environmental degradation and biodiversity .
Despite the studies that point out as to how global warming is influenced by man’s continuous carbon print and the increasing carbon emissions from factories and other man-made sources; there are others who believe that it is not truly man’s fault that global warming exists, thereby noting that the change is due to natural forces. There is also the sentiment that global warming itself is beneficial for the planet and must not be treated as a calamity. Letcher (2009) noted in his study that cosmic weather and the solar ray’s effects contribute to climate change. The first notable study in this argument is William Herschel, who suggested that the sunspots had influenced the prices of wheat in England as there were lesser chances of rains when the sun only had a few sunspots. Other studies, such as those done by Friis-Christiansen and Lassen were also in conjunction with Herschel’s study as they noted that solar activity is connected to the average surface temperature in the northern hemisphere. It is visible in the research that this phenomenon is caused by the irradiance of the sun and the influence of cosmic radiation. Volcanic activity also plays a part on climate change as volcano eruptions are capable of sending sulfuric gasses that are also capable of disabling the planetary heat and radiation to exit the atmosphere . In addition to this, Donovan (2008) noted that studies have been done that showcases the positive benefits of global warming. In the study done by the Michigan Technological University’s School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, warmer temperatures and nitrogen increase in the atmosphere improves forest growth and productivity. The study showcased that trees are capable of storing more carbon if they are near regions of high nitrogen content. Maturation rates are also influenced by higher concentrations of nitrogen content in the atmosphere, enabling more trees to be harvested for timber or biomass .
Man’s influence and contribution to the growing problem in global warming do not only threaten biodiversity and influence occurrence of severe natural calamities; it also influences sustainability. Karl, Melillo, Peterson and Hassol (2009) cite that health is influenced by global warming and may present dangers in development and production. Climate change itself directly impacts the environment, making the temperature and environment hotter and inhabitable for any organism. Increased temperatures also foster high mortality and fatality rates as in the US alone, 12$ of its population are at risk of dying or contracting highly severe diseases or illnesses due to the severe heat or cold. Recovery may also be a problem considering that regression is happening in all living organisms, from humans to fauna due to the differing temperatures and unstable environment. According to Dawson and Spannagle (2009), animals and plants tend to experience regression and extinction due to climate change as many of their numbers contract complications that lead to death. Today, it is noted that many species of both fauna and flora are recorded to be extinct due to the influence of warmer temperatures and natural calamities, as well as the reduction of rich habitats. Habitats also lose their natural nutrients and food source, disabling the possibility of production and growth. Several species are forced out of their habitats due to man’s constant land conversion and continuous contribution to global warming .
With the side-effects anthropogenic global warming causing severe weather systems and natural calamities to occur, it may seem that human kind is left without solution in reducing the problem. The idea that reduction of natural consequence of human action would be difficult retained negative sentiments over mitigation, considering the duration as to how long anthropogenic global warming has already manifested in the atmosphere. However, Farrar and Mastrandrea (2007) noted that there are already several solutions man has come up to reduce and eliminate the problem on climate change and its effects. The number one solution considered by the authors, and even the international community is the reduction of carbon emissions or greenhouse gases. This can be done through the reduction of fossil fuel use and the usage of alternative energy sources. The international community had already launched several guidelines as to how the public could sustain policies in reducing anthropogenic global warming, introducing eco-friendly ideas to the public. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was created in 1988 to monitor the policies on climate change by each nation, creating a systematic and unique set of guidelines to restrict and limit the use of greenhouse gas emitters and foster sustainability. The United Nations had also launched the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1991 to begin talks between member countries regarding climate change policies, especially the issue of reductions. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 is considered one of the pioneer guidelines on how greenhouse emissions could be reduced in Annex I (developed nations) and Annex II (developing nations) countries. Regulations on monitoring and assessing environmental protocols and standards are also drafted in the protocol. The US proposed its own emissions reduction system while the EU committed more on mitigation strategies to introduce eco-friendly energy sources to eliminate emission in the region .
While it may be true that in each cycle and change, there are natural factors that influence it development as well as external factors; it is notable that these factors could speed the effects of a phenomenon once it reaches high levels. This problem is seen in global warming as man’s contributions overwhelm the impact natural disasters and cycles have on the warming planet. Although there are some benefits in global warming, such as increased tree production, the health and developmental risks anthropogenic global warming has may spell disaster and extinction if not prevented. Today, several mitigation strategies from various nations and organizations around the globe are trying to implement ways to recover from global warming and take action. If man disregards the risks his actions have on the environment, it may cause more severe temperatures and vicious natural calamities to occur in the future.
References
Dawson, B., & Spannagle, M. (2009). The Complete Guide to Climate Change. Oxon: Oxford University Press.
Donovan, J. (2008, October 20). Climate Change, Acid Rain Could Be Good for Forests. Retrieved October 26, 2012, from Michigan Tech News/Media: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/767/
Farrar, A., & Mastrandrea, M. (2007). Global Warming. Edina: ABDO Publishing Company.
Johansen, B. (2002). The Global Warming Desk Reference. Westport: Greenwood Publishing.
Karl, T., Melillo, J., Peterson, T., & Hassol, S. (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Letcher, T. (2009). Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Pittock, B. (2009). Climate change: the science, impacts and solutions. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing.
