Global Warming and its Impact on the Environment
Introduction
Global warming has been an issue of concern in the world’s environmental circles as there are growing concerns about its increase. It is the gradual rising in temperatures when green house gases that include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and water vapor are trapped within the earth’s atmosphere. This has caused the melting of the icecaps which have led to a rise in sea levels. Other effects of global warming are changing weather patterns which have caused flooding, heat waves and drought. All these effects show that global warming has impacted significantly on the environment. Since 1979, land temperatures have increased two times faster than ocean temperatures. This is because oceans have a larger have a larger heat capacity. Oceans lose more heat my evaporation while land has limited evaporation.
Global warming is caused by several factors. Natural causes of global warming are those that cause the release of methane gas a green house gas. This gas is released from the arctic tundra and wetlands. Man made activities are the most responsible for causing global warming. Some farming activities and deforestation and industrial emissions increase the release of Carbon (IV) Oxide and methane. Increased population puts more pressure on the environment especially because of burning of fossil fuel to meet the energy needs. There are more cars for transportation, increased need for land for settlement and more timber to construct houses, towns and industries which emit harmful gases to the environment. Green house gasses cause the green house effect which is the process by which these gases trap infrared radiation within a planet’s lower atmosphere. Water vapor, Carbon (IV) Oxide, methane and ozone are the major green house gases.
Temperatures have been on a gradual rise in the last three decades. Many projections have been made with regard to the expected temperature levels. The United Nations and other environmental bodies rely on the projections made using SRES scenario (Houghton, 2009). Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by 0.8C (1.4F) with two thirds of this increase occurring from 1980 to date. 90% of this warming has been caused by an increase in green house caused by human activities. Deforestation, burning of fossil fuel and industrial chemical emissions are some of the biggest culprits. Global temperatures are expected to continue rising in the future if nothing is done. Temperatures are estimated to rise to in the 21st century 2.9C (5.2F) in a lowest emission scenario and 6.4C (11.5 F) for the highest emission scenario. The rise in temperature will lead to desertification. Water sources will dry up killing plants and vegetation. With time these areas will become bare, dry and hot like deserts. Sub tropical desserts will also expand further. The ice caps have also started melting while glaciers, permafrost and sea ice have receded. This has resulted in rising sea levels and flooding all over the globe. Effects of warming are expected to be strongest in the arctic and less visible in the tropics. The Northern Hemisphere has more land mass under seasonal ice than the Southern Hemisphere. The Northern Hemisphere therefore warms up faster. The Northern Hemisphere has more green house gases emitted, however these gases linger in the environment long enough to mix. Both hemispheres therefore have almost similar exposure to green house gases.
In recent times, the world has had to suffer through extreme weather conditions never witnessed before. Global warming has resulted to extreme weather evidenced through occurrences such as heat waves and tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall (Hoggan, 2009). Glaciers, permafrost and sea ice have also been quickly disappearing. About a sixth of the global population is supplied with water from these glaciers and hence their disappearance would lead to reduced water and hydroelectricity for these areas (Hoggan, 2009). Increased Carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere results in the acidification of the ocean. This causes a change in ocean pH which affects the general balance of marine ecology (Spencer, 2010). Carbon (IV) oxide which is one of the greenhouse gases contributes to global warming by trapping air within the atmosphere. Warmer temperatures cause large water bodies to warm up reducing the amount of Carbon (IV) oxide they absorb from the atmosphere. Weather patterns have also become very unpredictable. The world is now experiencing longer summers and shorter winters.
Fresh water and wetland ecosystems have also been affected by global; warming. Scientists forecast substantial change in fish habitats, reduced wetlands and poor water quality. Trout, salmon and several aquatic plant species and organisms are under threat. These fish are cold-water fish and would have difficulty surviving in a warm environment forcing them to move to colder areas which are becoming geographically smaller. Warmer temperatures also promote the growth of blue-green algae which take up a lot of oxygen. This will reduce the volume of oxygen available in the water for other species. Reduced oxygen in lake water could cause the loss of predatory fish severely affecting the aquatic food chain. Changing weather patterns will also affect reproduction. Floods caused by increased rain and drastic weather causing floods destroy eggs laid in water.
The planets original form has drastically changed. Its effects are being felt even in mid latitude areas with ice capped mountains which have reduced over the years. Himalayas, Andes and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa have been affected. Polar animals are being forced to move further north to colder areas. Those that cannot adapt fast enough could become extinct. It is feared that if the sea ice disappears, the polar bears will become extinct. Adelie penguin populations have decreased by up to 22% in the last 25 years because they live in winter ice packs. Chinstrap penguins on the other hand have increased by 400% because they live around open waters.
Forest fires have ravaged forests in Alaska, Canada and Russia due to record high summer temperatures and drought. In some areas, the blooming season of plants has increased by up to 2 weeks because of longer warm days. Fewer cold winters has affected the yields of maple syrup in New England. Their production requires cold snaps and long winter nights. It is feared that New England’s climate might not be able to support the growth of maple tree by the end of this century. The length of fire risk warning during the summer is expected to continue lengthening. Bird migration and feeding habits have also been affected. In North America, earlier spring arrival, late autumn departures have been noted. The feeding patterns are also changing, winters are becoming shorter and availability of worms for young birds to feed on no longer follows the old patterns.
Global warming and its effects cannot be overlooked for the future good of the planet earth. Scientists predict that if the current conditions prevail or escalate, the planet might be destroyed beyond salvage. Drought, floods, wildfires, extinction of animals and acidification of the ocean will continue to occur. Entire ecosystems both terrestrial and aquatic will collapse. On the human level, these environmental effects could lead to war, famine and extreme poverty. Some of the destruction already caused is irreversible. There has been bleaching and death of coral reefs which take many years to form. Finally, the globe could be entirely destroyed to the point that it can no longer support life and all organisms could become extinct.
The solution lies in a concerted effort to mitigate against these effects, reducing or entirely stopping harmful activities. The first step would be to find an eco friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Nuclear power, solar power, wind power and bio fuels are seen as some of the viable solutions. Buildings also contribute immensely to greenhouse gas emissions. Infrastructures should be upgraded to reduce the amount of energy wasted in lighting and heating, existing structures such as highways, stadia, airports and power transmission lines should also be upgraded. Industrial processes should also be improved to reduce harmful gas emissions. The government should ensure all Industrial wastes are disposed of properly and safely.
Global warming is now global problems, world leaders have met in various global environmental summits have been conducted to find solutions for these issues. Countries have committed to reduce their carbon foot print and invest in alternative energy. Individuals should also take it upon themselves to reduce their carbon foot print. We stop using aerosols, employ better farming methods and use greener sources of energy. The responsibility to protect the planet is the responsibility of every individual especially because the biggest cause of this destruction is man-made. Corrective measures need to be taken in earnest and sustained so as to restore the environmental balance. If nothing is done, we may all face extinction. The earth is our home; it is our responsibility to protect it.
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World’s Top Climate Scientists. London: Encounter Books
Hoggan, J. (2009).Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming. Vancouver:
Greystone Books
