In a general sense, global warming is the continual effect of a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature the world over (Binzer, Guill, Rall, and Brose 2016, p 224). It is a phenomenon that has brought majority of the world’s superpowers together in seeking a solution to minimize its catastrophic effects. However, the causes and consequences are not known to some. Surprisingly, some world leaders and communities do not even realize some of the potential consequences of the effect. This paper, by analyzing the conclusions of three academic and two internet articles on global warming, thus focuses on the causes of global warming and the untoward effects both imminent and long-term.
Causes of Global Warming
One of the central causes of global warming is industrialization. Some countries such as Japan and USA are some of the industrialized countries that are germane to the rapid increase in global temperatures. With heightened levels of industrial revolution, energy demand rises proportionately. The consequences include the emission of carbon dioxide and other dangerous gases into the environment from the combustion of fossil fuels. In a similar manner, the continuous increase in world population necessitates intensified levels of agricultural production. In the end, methane, a potent greenhouse gas is released into the atmosphere (Binzer, Guill, Rall, and Brose 2016, p 225). Related closely to the effects and demands of population growth is the reality of deforestation that not only denies the environment its naturally established system of purification, but also exposes bare land to the effects of solar irradiation. Finally, with the relentless use of forests for fossil fuels comes an urgent need to enhance production through the use of chemical fertilizers. Cumulatively, an accumulation of toxic gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, occurs in the environment. The effects of these gases are far reaching, eventually forming a blanket over the earth’s atmosphere and resulting in a reduction in the rate of normal heat loss from the planet’s surface.
Effects of global warming
Among the most clearly evident effects of global warming lies the primary in the rise levels of seas and oceans. According to Markham (2018), scientist postulate that an increase in global temperatures consequently results in the melting of massive sheets of ice. While one would most probably question what this rise of sea levels has to do with human existence, it is undeniable that the sea could rise to occupy dry and inhabited lands. When this occurs, people are displaced from established areas of residences. A notable example is the island of Maldives in which residents are already contemplating getting new homes (Markham, 2018). Global warming additionally results in more extreme weather events. Markham (2018) again assert that scientists have come to the general conclusion that the intensity of extremes of weather conditions is as directly linked to the rise in global temperatures. Also, crop failure is a direct result of elevated world temperatures. Crops survive within an optimum temperature range, and, therefore, subjecting them to high temperatures definitely results in a failure to thrive. Finally, mass extinction of species has continually occurred because of the destruction of natural habitats, a point directly linked to elevated temperatures.
First Proposed Solution to Global Warming
The primary solution to global warming lies in the reduction of levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To achieve this, a reduction of emission should be done in all aspects of industrialization and other activities. Statistically, it has been shown that approximately 93% of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere mainly originate from the combustion of fossil fuels, most importantly carbon compounds. Additionally, majority of these amounts originate from the heavily industrialized countries including the USA, China, and Britain among others. However, it is laudable that the economies are aware of the effect of their ever-increasing economies. This awareness led to various conventions that spearheaded reforms to minimize the industrial wastes that result in global warming. Regular conventions that have been instrumental in reducing the gaseous products both in the superpowers and the developing economies are organized by the United Nations. It also insisted on the sensitization of the developing economies and the concrete changes that they can make to reduce these effects. Basically put, according to the Center of American progress (2018), to effectively reduce the extents of global warming, humans have to say goodbye to various habits, trends, and hobbies that necessitate the use of coal.
Second Proposed Solution to Global Warming
A switch to renewable energy sources is also a critical step towards the minimization, as well as eventual solving of the menace of global warming in the present world. Crutzen, Mosier, Smith, and Winiwarter, 2016, p 230 agree that not only do greenhouses gases contribute largely to global warming but also that their reduction, through the use of safe sources of energy is a key step towards the realization of environmental safety. Levels of methane, the main product produced from the combustion of organic fuels and from within greenhouses should be reduced through the inception of use of solar and hydro sources of electric energy. Appropriate agricultural practices should also be encouraged, beginning from the reduction in extents of decomposition in rice paddies so as to minimize levels of the gas released into the environment. A complete shift from the use of renewable to non-renewable sources of energy is a pivotal necessity for the ecological sustainability of the planet today. Such transition is, however, only achievable through an established political commitment as well as an emotional fortification. McGlade and Ekins, 2015, p 187 jointly agree that the process begins with an implementation of alternative plans, mainly solar and hydroelectric energy.
Third Proposed Solution
Finally, a solution to global warming and its consequences lies in an implementation of a plan to recycle waste products and to minimize the amounts of used items that end up in landfills. Landfills act not only to deny humanity land for the establishment of settlements, but also act as rich sources of methane due to decomposition. Such landfills could alternatively be used as a field for afforestation in an attempt to promote environmental purification. Binzer, Guill, Rall, and Brose (2016, p 225) assert that for a positive change in global biology, human production must be directed towards an eventual realization of ecological sustainability through the institution of systems that produce minimal wastes, and are inherently dependent on each other. Cutting down of trees should be coupled with a positive replacement of more plants than those that are felled. The Center of American progress (2018) in making such recommendations contextual in respect to day-to-day human behavior set out that humanity should say goodbye to Christmas trees, the pinot noir (a rare grape juice) and baseball since these cumulatively create an imbalance in an ecological setting. Importantly, this whole process begins with a personal decision, before its corporate assumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion that global warming is a real is irrefutable. From the cause of the consequences, this potential threat to life exists within and around us. In one way or the other, humanity has been at the core of its causation. In a similar, it is only through humanity that the planet can be saved. Awareness of this reality is a great step towards curbing its effects. I believe that it is one of the effects that ring true to the adage that prevention is better than cure.
References
Binzer, A., Guill, C., Rall, B.C. and Brose, U., 2016. Interactive effects of warming, eutrophication and size structure: impacts on biodiversity and food‐web structure. Global Change Biology, 22(1), pp.220-227.
Center for American Progress. (2018). Top 100 effects of Global Warming- center for American Progress. [Online] (updated 2013) Available at: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/09/24/3462/the-top-100-effects-of-global-warming/
[Accessed May 18, 2018]
Crutzen, P.J., Mosier, A.R., Smith, K.A. and Winiwarter, W., 2016. N 2 O release from agro-biofuel production negates global warming reduction by replacing fossil fuels. In Paul J. Crutzen: A pioneer on atmospheric chemistry and climate change in the Anthropocene (pp. 227-238). Springer, Cham.
Markham, D. 2018. Global Warming Effects and Causes: A top 10 list. [Online] (updated 2018) Available at: http://planetsave.com/2009/06/07/global-warming-effects-and-causes-a-top-10-list/
[Accessed May 18, 2018]
McGlade, C. and Ekins, P., 2015. The geographical distribution of fossil fuels unused when limiting global warming to 2 C. Nature, 517(7533), p.187.
