Introduction
Global warming is defined as the high and rising rate in the average level of temperature in the atmosphere of planet earth as well as in large water bodies such as oceans (climate system). The extreme variation in temperature began in the earlier times of the 20th century and it is anticipated to further increase in the coming years. This change in the global mean temperature on the earth’s surface is approximated at 140 F which is equivalent to 0.80 C. Increasing temperatures have greatly contributed to the climate change of various parts of our planet earth. In the period 1905-2005 the average temperature increase on the surface was estimated at 0.74±0.18 °C. The recent years have experienced the most rises in the average temperature changes. Climatic research has revealed that the 1998 is the first warmest year in history after the weather instruments became functional and available. The 2005 became the second while followed by 2010 and 2003 in the third positions. This has raised alarm to world-wide scientists to find out the solution to this problem that threatens to completely alter the weather patterns of the world. To come up with suggestions on the solution to this issue, the scientists have first explored into investigating the cause to it.
Most researchers on climate change as a result of global warming have attributed it to the gases emitted from greenhouses as well as the burning of fossil fuels and destroying of forests. The present changes as well as the future changes, vary from place to place depending on the impact of the factors that cause it. The changes are in the global warming cycle are altering the rhythms which the world residents have depended upon regarding climate. What lies in their way is to fight it out and make sure the global warming rate decelerates. People are also to cope up with the irreversible changes that have already set pace while they work out a formula on the future of planet earth- the forests and coasts – lynching in the balance. Climate change, the basic aspect of global warming, is continuously changing the way people live, their health and even the community. This report seeks to discuss the disadvantages of global warming as well as suggest the possible solutions and those already put in place.
The causes for Global Warming
Global warming has been attributed to various causes. One of the major causes for the global warming is deforestation, particularly in the tropical regions of the world where tress are consumed as fire. Some of the trees are cleared to enable land for agriculture while others are used for pulps. Industries that produce paper and wood related products largely consume forests leading to deforestation. Forests with their large numbers of trees aid to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. They directly consume some of the carbon dioxide while they store the rest. With deforestation, huge amounts of the carbon dioxide are released and retained within the atmosphere contributing to the global warming.
The agriculture of the recent times is characterized by the high and rising utilization of chemical fertilizers as opposed the use of natural manure from animals and decaying plant remains. These chemical fertilizers contain nitrogen increasing the heat retaining capacity of plants. Nitrogen oxides are well known for the large heat retention capacity, much greater than carbon dioxide. During rainy seasons, the farm fertilizers are washed away and moved into water bodies encouraging global warming.
The world wide adoption of modern methods of farming like the greenhouses has accumulated large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases like methane in the atmosphere. Methane is given out when organic matter in the greenhouses is decomposed in carbon dioxide conditions by the action of bacteria. Another source of methane is the large livestock framing particularly the herbivorous. As greenhouse activities take place huge amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen impact greatly to the atmosphere raising the level of global warming.
The transport sector is another source for global warming through the carbon dioxide production when the engines run. For instance, in the US, the sector contributes up to 33 percent of the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As the world population keeps on growing, the demand for vehicles is expected to increase and that means more utilization of fossil fuels. As the fuels undergo combustion as they flow through engines they release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This will continue to cause global warming.
The manufacturing sector has not been left behind in this global challenge. Manufacturing plants massively let carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The generation of electricity is the major contributor of global warming in the manufacturing sector since most of the electricity plants use coal to run the turbines and other machines to produce electricity. I real life situation more electrical devices flood the market meaning more consumption of electricity for running the gadgets. This will increase global warming.
The Damages or Disadvantages of Global Warming
Global warming has resulted into the worldwide increase in the sea levels. This is due to the changes in the environment, weather as well as the atmosphere. These three changes cumulatively constitute into climate change. Climate change has been a serious problem to our motherland planet earth. It is a long due process which has taken place over decades influencing the hydrology system (water resources) in addition to the biological composition of the Earth. It entails variability in the to the rainfall and temperature patterns. For instance, the glaciers on mountains of the world have decreased in quantity comparing to how they were more than a century ago. The high temperatures have melted the glaciers in Greenland as well as Antarctica which later flow into the sea hence the rise. Consequently, many other countries have felt the increase in sea levels. With the rising trend, in the future, people area along the coastlines likely to move to other areas hence displacement away from flood areas.
There have been enormous crop failures due to global warming. Following research conducted in the various parts of the world, billions of people will have to accept displacement to milder climes or live hungry in the next century to come. The high temperatures due to climate change have influenced water bodies. This influence is most likely to cause shortages of water posing a great challenge to agricultural sector hence low food production. The water shortage will also decrease the level of sanitation, destroy the ecosystems and form a barrier to the economic development.
The nature has been disadvantaged with the extinction of some of the species from the world due high temperatures and with more than a million more anticipated to get extinct by the year 2050. Human beings cannot live without diversification of the species. For instance, the world experienced the extinction of the megafuana animals. More of these species will extinct out of the face of the world as more endangered animals come up.
The present times have experienced very severe storms in form of cyclones as well as hurricanes. When they occur they destroy a lot of property and claim thousands of lives. Scientists have gathered strong evidence to show that the high and increasing frequency of storms is due to global warming. The rising trend is steered by the increase in temperatures in the oceans and will continue in the foreseeable future.
The Solutions to Global Warming
The United States of America and the people’s republic of China combined, emit more than 40 percent of the world carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If the two nations indulge into the crisis ad jointly come up with environmental packages aimed at protection of the atmosphere, global warming will be greatly reduced. The China-US climate change commitment will observe great decrease in global warming.
The world needs to implement laws on pollution and set limits for global pollution. Strict legislation will ensure reduced emission of carbon and other gases into the atmosphere. Those that emit the gases should pay for the emissions and if they exceed the set limits, pay for it. This will greatly help in the global warming challenge. In the Mid Atlantic ten countries have committed into the Regional, Greenhouse Gas Imitative (RGGI). This is approximated to decrease global warming by 10 percent by 2018 particularly from industries pollution.
Use of smarter cars can also be engaged to solve the global warming problem through reduced utilization of oil. This will involve restructuring manufacturing plants to build fuel- efficient engines and yet get the demand from consumers. An example is the electric car was developed but has lacked created demand to induce its worldwide demand. If is fully used in the world, global warmin will notably reduce by a huge margin.
Conclusion
Global warming is a serious environmental problem that is caused by the emission of heat retaining gases to the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxides. When they are stored in the atmosphere, they retain heat from the sunrays which contributes to global warming. Global warming has adverse damages: floods, deadly storms, crop production failure, extinction of species and increase in the sea levels. The severe disadvantages call for global warming solution. Global warming can be solved through enactment of legislation on pollution, engagement of the US and china in climate change, construction of community and transportation hubs or driving of smart cars. If global warming is not solved, scientists predict that it is likely to cause human race destruction in future and adverse climatic conditions for the present times.
References
Black, B., & Weisel, G. J. (2010). Global warming. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood.
Global Warming Facts, Causes and Effects of Climate Change | NRDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/
Gore, A., & Melcher Media (2006). An inconvenient truth: The planetary emergency of global warming and what we can do about it. New York: Rodale Press.
