Global Warming Introduction Global warming is the increase in the average global temperatures that is caused by buildup of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the common greenhouse gas; however others like methane, nitrogen oxides are quantitatively measured on the basis of carbon dioxide equivalents. Air pollution is the main source of the greenhouse gases, especially from industrial settings. Therefore, human activities are the primary causes of global warming through industrial growth, transportation, continued reliance on fossil fuels and removal of carbon sinks. Report by Weart indicated that, the atmospheric temperatures will increase by approximately 1.8-4.0 degrees Celsius by 2100. It, therefore, means that adverse effects will be to the extremes (23). Most scientists currently say that the effects of global warming are threatening and rapid response is necessary. Notably, global warming have got effects on weather conditions, sea levels and ultimately, global food production. Sea level rise is now a common phenomenon that causes flooding in areas adjacent to the oceans. Its root cause is the global warming that leads to melting of the polar ice, which in turn raises the levels of the sea. The flood affects the society, environment and the economy. Again, global warming leads to extreme weather conditions, which affect the wellbeing of people, plants and animals. For instance, the average increase of global temperature has negative impacts on human supporting systems, cumulatively known as an ecosystem (Dornbusch and James 36). Background Information In the late 19th century, reports from the global scientist on climate change argued that greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities had the potential of raising the average global temperatures, however, there was little concern on research and attempts to address the problem. But, since the 1990s, a lot of scientific research has been carried out through statistical and computer modeling methodologies. According to Archer, the main causes of climate change are human industry and agriculture and stressed that the impacts are experienced by the fluctuations in global temperatures and precipitation (51-52). Again, he reported that the current global warming will have long term effects such as melting of polar ice, rising sea levels, flooding, heat waves, stronger La Niñas and El Niños (56-74). From 20th century, global atmospheric and oceanic temperatures have increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius, of which two-thirds of the increase occurred in the 1980. Research findings report that fossil fuel combustion is the main contributor of carbon dioxide, however, other sources come from cement productions and changes in land use such as deforestations. Thesis Statement Even though some people maintain that the government should not focus on global warming, many resources show that we must pay more attention to solve global issues because it has influenced the earth and our life in many ways: weather disasters have become increasingly serious, sea level rise will indeed be the most direct impact and air pollution influence a few people. Weather Disasters Global warming has led to abnormal fluctuations in the weather patterns that have adverse effects on human beings, environment and the economy. For instance, droughts, high intensity rainfall, change in temperature trends, stronger La Niñas and El Niños, heat waves amongst other negatively impacting weather patterns (Weart 121). With the increase in temperatures, the rate of evapotranspiration becomes so high and this leads to imbalance in the hydrological cycle. Consequently, lakes, rivers, and groundwater are lost at a high rate leading to reduced agricultural production. During long and extended dry periods, especially in arid and semi-arid region and deserts, the adverse conditions results to hunger, pest, and diseases, deaths and sufferings. Therefore, the government should partner with the global avenues to address the issue of global warming. Recently, heat waves and high temperatures have been common and predictions say that the future situations will be worse. The strong heat radiations cause skin diseases, eye cataracts, and very dangerous to people living with albinism. This, therefore, calls for immediate response to mitigate the global warming effects. La Niñas and El Niños are very destructive when they occur. Loss of lives, infrastructural destructions and property loss affect the welfare of people. To avoid the incidences, global warming must be addressed by the government. Sea Level Rise Rising in sea level is an occurrence that is threatening since its impact affect coastal line immensely. A scientific report by Weart informs that a rise in global temperature by one degree Celsius has a potential of causing a polar ice melt that can lead to a rise in sea level by six meters (146). The aftermath of such rise in sea level are deadly floods, coral reef bleaching, high tides in areas of low lying coast and increase chances of frequent El Nino at the coast. Coral bleaching has become a common agenda in climate change forum since most marine lives are intimately pegged on it. Since the beginning of 1980, there has been a widespread bleaching, scientifically, it has been proven to be a manifestation of the increase global temperature that is mostly absorbed by ocean and sea. In addition, melting of the glacier, polar ice is a major player in the same (Dornbusch and James 275). Statistic by Archer show that 59% destruction of world’s coral reefs was located at the Indian coastline and it was associated with high emission of methane and carbon by Indian industries (69-75). In the event that the bleaching of coral reef is not curbed, 89% of marine lives that depends directly or indirectly on the coral will disappear. Another impact of rising sea level is the disarticulation of coastal wetland, erosion of the shoreline, and intrusion of saline water into the coastal aquifer. If this occurs, the cultivated coastal shore will fridge, availability of domestic water will be threatened, estuaries will die, and the mangrove dieback will occur in the long run (Weart 179-184). Therefore, the rising in sea level as a result of the meeting of polar ice and glacier influenced by global warming needs intervention by relevant authorities and governments.
Air Pollution Air pollution is a devastating phenomenon that is contributed by array of factors and global warming is one of them. The forces behind global warming are anthropogenic activities of man, which are associated with emission of some gases known as greenhouse gases. These gases have got far reaching air pollution impact. They include oxides of carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapor, and methane. Archer expedites that presence of this greenhouse gases pollute the area by tumbling the available oxygen for the living organisms (79-81). He further explains this by stating that during the oxidation process of this gases in the atmosphere, 67% of oxygen is consumed (82). Weart adds to the global warming impact list on air pollution by stating that due to the high temperature caused by global warming, ASAL have become drier and the land surfaces exposed (138). In addition to that, this high temperature has influenced the dryness of the air too, which increases wind velocities in ASAL. He goes ahead to connect the two impact by asserting that the dry, bare surface is exposed to the high wind velocity that carry the sediments to the atmosphere thereby, causing air pollution (139). Presence of the sediment in the atmosphere has got far reaching impact. Therefore, global warming should be made a priority issue to curb air pollution.
Works Cited
Archer, David. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub, 2007. Print.
Dornbusch, Rudiger, and James M. Poterba. Global Warming: Economic Policy Responses. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 1991. Print.
Weart, Spencer R. The Discovery of Global Warming. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2003. Print.
