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Global Warming: What Does Our Future Hold? During the course of the twentieth century, many environmental scientists have become increasingly confident that the average global temperature has elevated. Although global warming is still a highly controversial theory, the facts have compelled scientists, politicians and the environmentally conscious to take a closer look at the statistics. Periodic global warming conferences take place around the world to discuss various environmental topics. Global warming is taking precedence at these conferences due to the effects that global warming is having upon our atmosphere, climate and the sea level (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases).
Global warming directly affects human beings and the earth? s ecosystem. If global warming continues at the rate that is predicted, the effects could be catastrophic to the world we live in today. What is global warming? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) summarizes global warming in simple terms. Global warming is related to the natural function of the earth?
s atmosphere and its ability to retain heat, the? greenhouse effect. ? The? greenhouse effect? is a necessary operation for earth? s ecosystem, which provides acceptable standards for habitation on earth.
When the sun warms the earth? s surface, the earth radiates this heat back into space. The atmospheric greenhouse gases trap some of this heat. Without the?
greenhouse effect, ? the average temperature of the earth would be much lower than the comfortable average temperature of 60 F (The Climate System). However, it has been reported that the principal greenhouse gases, or heat-trapping gases, are partially accountable for global warming. These greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Scientists believe that increased use of fossil fuels and human activity is partly responsible for changing the composition of the earth? s atmosphere. The EPA reports that since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30 %; methane have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide have risen by about 15 % (The Climate System). The increases in the emissions of these greenhouse gases have enhanced the earth? s atmosphere? s capability to trap heat.
This trend toward escalated concentrations in these greenhouse gases is expected to continue unless regulations and laws are put into place to reduce the emissions of these gases (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases). Although many skeptics have opposed the issue of global warming, the fact remains that over the course of the twentieth century, the global temperature has increased approximately a half a degree Celsius. Moreover, it was noted by the World Meteorological Organization that the earth? s average temperature in 1998 was the highest ever since the first measurements have been taken (EPA, The Climate System).
Global warming impacts many of earth? s environmental factors, such as temperature, sea levels, and precipitation. These environmental factors are all dependent upon each other, and if one factor becomes altered, then all can become unbalanced, resulting in a continuously altered cycle. According to the EPA, a recorded increase in global climate already denotes several changes worldwide. In general, global temperatures have increased. This temperature increase was particularly noted in the Northern Hemisphere, where it was recorded that the snow cover and the floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased.
The thawing of frozen matter has in turn, elevated sea level between 4 - 10 inches over the century. A reported one percent precipitation increase was noted globally. More recently, the United States has had more frequent bouts of extreme rainfall. Predictions are currently based upon assumed increases in the greenhouse gases, which will raise the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere. The rising concentration levels will magnify the?
greenhouse effect? (EPA, The Climate System). Changing regional climate will alter numerous environmental conditions. Specifically, changes in rainfall directly impact how these conditions will be affected. However, whether rainfall will increase or decrease cannot yet be predicted for specific regions. One theory projects that warmer temperatures could lead to more intense rainfall and flooding in some areas and more frequent droughts in others. One environmental scientist reviews information presented in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?
s 1995 report, which states? the incidence of floods, droughts, fires and heat outbreaks is expected to increase in some regions as temperatures rise? (Flavin 25). If climate and precipitation are extremely altered by global warming, as the trends are beginning to demonstrate, there will be major threats to human health, agriculture and the earth? s ecosystems.
Issues relating to health are of primary concern. Global warming increases the probability of more heat related deaths and the spread of infectious disease statistics. The statistics presented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency relating to mortality rates and hospital admissions due to extreme heat are overwhelming. A specific example, documented by the Environmental Protection Agency, happened? in July 1995, a heat wave killed more than 700 people in the Chicago area alone. Studies based on these types of statistics estimate that, in Atlanta for example, even a warming of about two degrees (F) would increase heat-related deaths from 78 today to anywhere from 96 to 247 people per year? (EPA, Impacts On Health).
Warmer temperatures will also allow insects, like mosquitoes, which have the ability to carry disease, to thrive and to migrate further north. This relay of events will enable the insects to spread? ? vectorborne? diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis? (EPA, Impacts On Health).
Global warming will increase the frequency and severity of destructive weather, which will substantially affect human health. Some destructive weather believed to be the result of global warming, such as floods, earthquakes and droughts, has been compounded by human intervention. An effective example, documented by Flavin, is the plague in India in 1994. The plague was a result of a series of events. First, there was an earthquake in 1993, followed by a flood in 1994. The earthquake left thousands homeless and in need of food and supplies.
The survivors needs provoked an over-shipment of food and other supplies. The excess food was stored in warehouses. Unfortunately, the warehouses were overrun with rats. The rats? fur became infested with fleas that carried a disease called plague bacterium. When the monsoon hit India, and the flood occurred, people, along with the rats, were forced to higher ground.
Consequently, the people were exposed to the flea-infested rats carrying plague bacterium, and disease spread quickly. To make matters worse, the destructive weather frightened away many of the medical personnel area that were capable of treating this disease. This is just one example of the type of weather related events that have been attributed to global warming, which clearly resulted in tragic human death. If the predictions of the types of weather patterns and climate disturbances occur, the future of human health will be radically affected (Flavin 36). Another main concern is the effect global warming will have on agriculture. If flooding and droughts persistently become more frequent, more crops will be lost over the warmer months.
Farmers will be forced to adapt to the changing climates. Lack of moisture in the soil will create a demand for more elaborate irrigation systems. Once the irrigation systems are in place, farmers will be reliant on whether or not water will be available to supply the crops the necessary water. At the other end of the spectrum, intense rainfalls and flooding will inspire improved drainage systems to relieve the crops of over saturation.
In addition to the impacts of floods and droughts, another viable agricultural concern is the rising sea level. The rise in sea level will affect some crops by the? salinization? of the soil, which is salt-water contamination of the soil. In the United States, certain studies have indicated significant risk to the coastal farmers.
The future of our agriculture depends on the farmers ability to adapt to the environmental changes (EPA, Impacts on Agriculture). The future of our hospitable earth relies heavily on the actions our government and global leaders will take. Due to the effect that global warming continues to have on the environmental factors, along with the educated predictions for the future environment, government agencies have initiated several steps to consciously reduce the emissions of the three main greenhouse gases. The conferences that are held globally take place to determine how to reduce the emissions of the major greenhouse gases.
Politicians are passing laws and bills to restrict the gas emissions throughout industry (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases). Most recently, ? In July, two bills were introduced to reduce and cap emissions of carbon dioxide from electric utilities. S. 1369, introduced by Senator Jeffords, and H. R. 2569, introduced by Representative Palmone, would reduce and cap carbon dioxide emissions from electric utility generating facilities beginning 2005? (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases). The conferences that are held globally take place to determine how to reduce the emissions in accordance with their carbon content.
Several programs are under development to limit the emissions of the greenhouse gases. Some types of programs are in effect using? traceable permitting? , which are controlled by allowances or credits. Allowances or credits are given to a facility, then the program determines when their emissions within their allowable limit.
In the future, the programs that will regulate industry, combined with scientific studies of how gas emissions are affecting our atmosphere, will ultimately determine if our regulations are sufficient (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases). Individuals can also contribute to the cessation of global warming by consciously changing specific pollution habits. According to the Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas affecting the atmosphere (Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases). The most obvious way for an individual to reduce carbon dioxide pollution is to be a conscientious driver by ensuring vehicles are tuned properly, and by driving an efficient gasoline-burning vehicle. Another way to reduce pollutants is to use less electricity, since utility companies emit large quantities of greenhouse gases. There are several ways to accomplish better utilization of electricity at home: caulking or weather stripping doorways and windows, insulating the water heater; installing shower heads and faucets to use less water and keeping up with the maintenance on furnaces (The Sierra Club, Global Warming Campaign).
Energy efficient appliances are now prevalently on the market to reduce the electricity needed for the appliances to operate. Another tremendous way to reduce pollutants is to recycle. Recycling is mandatory in many areas; however, the more recycling and reuse of recycled materials that can be used, the less the production of new items will be necessary. As reported by the Sierra? s Club Global Warming Campaign, ? the production of new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 - 90 % of the energy and pollution including carbon dioxide? (The Sierra Club, Global Warming Campaign).
These seemingly insignificant actions can make an unquestionable difference with regard to the pollutants emitted into the earth? s atmosphere. The future temperature and climate of the planet relies on how quickly global officials can gain control over the emission of greenhouse gases. Already, humans have suffered at the hands of destructive weather caused by global warming and will continue to suffer unless drastic changes are made to the way industry is regulated and the levels of the greenhouse gases are reduced.
Human health, agriculture and the earth? s ecosystem rely tremendously on stable climate. Increased temperatures caused by global warming reduce the reliability of the future climate. The challenge for humanity is to realize there is a global problem before them, and to take advantage of the calm before the storm. How the problem of global warming is addressed now will radically affect future generations.
The opportunity to prevent the rapid acceleration of global warming stands before the world. The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment. ? Global Climate Change? . Market? Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases. web (21 Oct. 1999).
Flavin, Christopher, et al. State of the World. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &# 038; Company, 1996. The Sierra Club. ?
Global Warming Campaign? . What You Can Do To Cut Pollution. web (14 Nov. 1999). United States. Environmental Protection Agency. ? Global Warming Site. ?
The Climate System. web (20 Oct. 1999). United States. Environmental Protection Agency. ?
Global Warming Site. ? Impacts on Agriculture. web (14 Oct. 1999). United States. Environmental Protection Agency. ? Global Warming Site. ?
Impacts on Health. web (14 Oct. 1999).
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Research essay sample on Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gases
