One can compare the Earth to a human being: a being that could grow old, withstand any challenges of being placed in mortal peril and could keep up with the changes of time. However, while the Earth cannot easily succumb to mortal peril like humans, the current threat it is facing may very well be the cause of its death. The threat of global warming or climate change has constantly dominated the scientific community and the public for the past few years since the discovery that the massive carbon emissions coming from man is slowly degrading the ozone layer, which protects the planet from solar radiation and modulates heat. Sadly, with the harmful solar radiation now freely passing through the planet, as well as the fact that the radiation is now trapped in the country, the planet slowly heats up, fostering various natural calamities to double in intensity and cause dramatic changes to the country’s sustainability and to life in general. It is crucial to find methods and devise policies that would fight off the impact of global warming and introduce the importance of the crisis to the public people themselves could prevent the severity of global warming and ensure the recovery of the planet.
The threat of global warming is very real especially in the 1970s as many scientists have proven that the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is influencing the planet’s overall climate. According to Johansen (2002), many even agree that the reality of global warming is visible just by looking at man’s constant use of fossil fuel or non-renewable energies like coal, which tends to produce heavy amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Since the early years, man has slowly contributed to h global warming through the use of fire and eventually, the numbers have doubled throughout the Industrial Revolution, wherein man discovered the benefits of using coal and other non-renewable energies. However, as the Industrial Revolution came into full force, many did not realize that fumes coming from factories and machinery have engraved itself with the atmosphere, fostering global warming. The first few works which showcased the presence of the threat of global warming came from Arvid Hogborn and Svante Arrhenius, known Swedish scientists that had studied the overall influence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and into the planet. Hogborn, in his end, theorized that the increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would result in an overall increase in temperature. Arrhenius supported Hogborn’s theory in his own study, showcasing that there would be an increase of over 8 to 9 degrees Celsius should carbon dioxide double in amount. Eventually, his theory became the supporting study for many recent studies showcasing as to how additional carbon dioxide emissions, mainly coming from anthropogenic or man-made source, could influence the planet and cause it to heat up excessively. The most notable study that supported Arrhenius’ thesis was done by Roger Revelle and Charles Keeling, members of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in California. Both scientists had presented in their study that due to man’s constant carbon emissions from various sources, it causes carbon dioxide to retain in the atmosphere, thereby trapping heat into the planet. The studies indicated have been supported by various international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, thereby getting the word out to the public as to the real nature of global warming .
However, there are others who believe that the arguments pertaining to global warming is exaggerated given that there are other studies that showcase that global warming has been caused by other means and there is even one study that the Earth is actually cooling down. Pertaining to the other sources of global warming, some studies have noted that global warming is actually a normal occurrence. In the study done by Letcher (2009), cosmic weather and ray effects influence the earth’s temperature increase given that there are variants that would cause the Earth to grow hotter or colder. The analysis is supported by William Herschel’s study as he suggested that the globe becomes hotter because of the sunspots faced towards the Earth. Friss-Christiansen and Lassen had also showcased similarities with Herschel’s study, stating that solar activity influences the warmer temperature of the planet. In this end, it is agreed upon by scientists that cosmic weather not only regulates the Earth’s temperatures but also makes it possible to adjust the country’s weather patterns such as thunderstorms and lightning,. Letcher had also cited that that the reason for global warming is due to the Earth’s orbital variations, which then influences as to where the Sun hits the planet the most in a longer duration . Recently, studies even counteract the arguments raised on global warming as there are scientists pointing that the Earth is actually growing colder. In an article written by Fox News (2010), recent research done by Professor Mojib Latif, a renowned climate modeller indicated that there are cold snaps happening around the globe, which could be the sign of a beginning ice age. The United States National Snow and Ice Data Center had also supported Latif’s analysis as cold temperatures are now becoming prominent in several parts of the globe; therefore it shows that global warming is arguable .
Although the studies are conflicted when it comes to the importance of global warming and as to its causes, statistics and visual evidence showcase that global warming is dangerous and must be given importance by all sectors of society. In the 2009 recent assessment of the United Nations, almost 300,000 deaths were estimated to have been caused by stronger natural calamities, increased heat/cold and reduced resources fostered by global warming. Almost 300 million people have been affected by natural calamities which have doubled in intensity such as heatwaves (during summer season), floods, typhoons/storms, and earthquakes. Massive forest fires have also been reported throughout the globe, causing food and water supply to dwindle, causing massive deaths in fawn, fauna and human life. It has been estimated by the UN that by 2030, it is likely that deaths would increase from 300,000 to 500,000 each year. The possible damages come 2030 would also cost up to $600 billion. If global warming is not resolved or worked upon by the governments and the public, it is likely that more people would suffer health complications due to the increased heat/cold and almost 20 million people would be forced to poverty and displacement. While there are groups already acting upon the threat of global warming, it is still not enough to enable full recovery to be given to the planet .
While the debate of global warming continues to escalate in new heights with people pinning the blame to anything that could have caused the issue, it is undeniable that the threat is there and the evidences show that it is getting worst by the minute. It is crucial for all political, social, and economic actors to build a massive campaign to educate the public, especially the skeptics, as to the importance of protecting the environment and aiding governments to harness other forms of energy sources that would reduce emissions from going to the atmosphere. Although the treatment and recovery of the planet may take decades to show significant results, it is important that the seedlings of resolution and recovery would be embedded deeply to the mindset of the public. Not only does awareness and action aid in the recovery, but it also prepares the planet and all living organisms, including man, to a much brighter future.
Works Cited
Fox News. "30 Years of Global Cooling Are Coming, Leading Scientist Says." Fox News, 11 January 2010. Web. 16 March 2013
Johansen, B. The Global Warming Desk Reference. Westport: Greenwood Publishing, 2002. Print.
Letcher, Trevor. Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2009. Print.
Vidal, J. "Global warming causes 300,000 deaths a year says Kofi Annan thinktank." The Guardian, 29 May 2009. Web. 17 March 2013
