There are numerous threats to the fragile ecosystem of Earth; one of the most debated theories is that of Global warming. This paper is on findings and information collected over past years and results of Global warming on this planet. We will discuss the Causes, Effects as well as Positives from Global Warming. Through the years strange changes have occurred in nature and the atmosphere, these include ice caps rapidly melting and holes occurring in the ozone. In order to solve these mysteries scientists from around the world conduct studies to determine if the threat of global warming is real. The scientists differing opinions and findings are focused on air quality, climate change, and how humans have influenced the ecosystem.
Effects of Global Warming
Gass discusses the ill effects caused by global warming starting with “arsenic in air”. When the concentration of arsenic in the air increases, the air becomes poisonous resulting in air pollution. This causes climate change resulting in dust intensity increasing in the west. One of the biggest issues facing us right now is global warming. Its effects on animals and on agriculture are indeed frightening, and the effects on the human population are even scarier (Markham). This observation is supported by Colorado University whose studies revealed an increase of dust particles over the past 20 years. When arsenic is inhaled into the lungs it can cause severe health problems. If it reaches the blood stream it can lead to heart attacks and lung cancer. Apart from the increase in the natural presence of arsenic in the air in Nevada and the surrounding areas, humans have contributed to air pollution according to the 2010 census report. This report clearly identifies Utah, Arizona and Nevada as the states that are at risk of dust pollution with large concentrations of arsenic in the air exceeding safe levels. Growing urbanization and the increasing population of these regions is a major influence and contributor to air pollution.
One of the biggest issues facing us right now is global warming. Its effects on animals and on agriculture are indeed frightening, and the effects on the human population are even scarier (“Markham”). McKibben illustrates the role of “2 degree Celsius” in global warming. Summers are getting hotter on a yearly basis with the AC bills getting higher and meteorologists have commented that this spring is the warmest with temperatures exceeding 109 degrees in Saudi Arabia. The Copenhagen conference on climate conservation and reduction in carbon emissions comprising of 167 countries ended in a failure with both United States and China contributing to 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions not taking a firm stand on global warming to cut carbon emissions. It is estimated in the conference that the climate is increasing by 2 degree annually. This has resulted in the oceans becoming 30 percent more acidic and the atmosphere of the oceans becoming 5 percent more wetter resulting in disastrous floods in future. All the 167 countries except a few signed in the agreement that the global climate will not be allowed to raise over 2 degree annually in the Copenhagen summit.
Climatic Challenges for 2013
Levi discusses the “five crucial climatic challenges” to be faced in the year 2013. The first challenge is that the earth is getting warmer on a daily basis and scientists state that the earth is getting warmer by 0.16 degree Celsius annually but this figure is higher. There are three major reasons stated by Patricia for heating of earth including “activity from volcanoes, sun and oceans”. The individual homes around the world become a major source of global warming releasing green house gases on a periodic basis. The second challenge is that of persisting droughts in most parts of the world without any rain. This drought remains a huge challenge as a result of the changing climate in 2013. The third major climatic challenge is the rapid melting of the arctic ice. It is seen in 2012, that the arctic ice has melted in large volumes and this year fresh ice has formed which is much thinner than the previous year resulting in more melting this year. An alarming fact is that the extent of the arctic ice decreases by 13 percent per decade. The fourth major climatic challenge is that of the summers getting longer in 2013. Scientists have estimated that the summer will be extended by more than 10 days this year. This can affect the rainfall or rainy season in a drastic manner. This trend is going to continue with the summers getting longer from the year 2013. The final climatic challenge is the rise in the sea levels and the occurrence of storms frequently in this year. Reports indicate that the sea levels have increased by 8 inches over the past 120 years.
Similarly, 5 expected outcomes of climate change in 2013 are Weather will get warmer, Persistent Droughts, Ice Coverage in Arctic will reduce, Longer Summers and Rise in Sea Levels and Storms (“Shafqat”).
Slowdown in Global Warming - Misconception or Truth?
Mooney discusses about the misconception of “slow down in global warming” and gives a brief overview of the various factors that can contribute to slowing down the global warming. Politicians from Texas and Ted have declared that there is no global warming since 1998. Scientists disagree to this fact but some of the scientists agreed that global warming has slowed down due to the changes occurring in Pacific Ocean. Nature experts comment that this slow down is temporary and this does not mean that temperatures have decreased which is increasing rapidly on a yearly basis. The average surface temperature is also getting hotter every decade with the 2000’s being the hottest according to the World Meteorological Association. There are certain reports stating that the surface temperature of earth has cooled in this year with the ocean effect, volcanic activity and the solar effect. These effects are temporary and the surface temperature will heat up subsequently is the thought of major scientists. Scientists state that Pacific Ocean has started to store the heat in more depth absorbing about 30 percent of the heat to deeper parts of the ocean. Also Volcano eruptions can slow down global warming considerably. This is sharp contrast to the discussions at the Copenhagen summit, a spokesman for small island nations warned that many would not survive a two-degree rise: "Some countries will flat-out disappear"( McKibben).
Positives of Climate Change
Ridley discusses the IPCC report on climate sensitivity. The IPCC report has stated that the content of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere has decreased from 2007. The report also states that if the carbon dioxide levels double in the next 70 years, it can cause an increase of about 3.5 degree Celsius on global temperature. The IPCC report clearly states that the benefits of climate change are going to be more than the harm it causes by the year 2083. Some of the benefits include the increase in crop yields, reduce deaths in winter, increase in rainfall and improve growth of forests promoting natural wealth. Trees grow faster when the carbon dioxide contents are high. This report discusses the positive aspects due to climate change.
Prime Reason of Global Warming
Mutisya discusses that “humans are the course of global warming” in the earth. Each human activity has an influence on the climatic conditions of the earth and is considered as the major contributors of global warming through depletion of ozone layer with the emission of green house gases. Humans are the cause of air pollution, deforestation, urbanization, increase in population, industrialization, technology development etc. that contribute to global warming to a great extent. As a result of these various human activities, climate change has occurred. Reports state that global warming can lead to water shortage in the years to come and human activities have contributed to higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere of the earth. Felix demands “regulation of human activities” to decrease the global warming. The negative effects and implications of global warming must be made known to the humans through various environmental campaigns. Strict and stern measures have to be set in place to reduce the emission of green house gases by industries. Oil conservation and energy conservation is the need of the hour to save the earth from global warming.
Conclusion
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