Essay on Global warming
Introduction
Global warming is the gradual heating of the earth’s surface, oceans, and atmosphere occasioned by the greenhouse gas effect as a result of increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. This phenomenon is no longer a distant problem; it is happening now. There is no single day that passes without the effects of global warming being mentioned in global news across the world. Evidence of global warming is everywhere, ranging from melting of ice caps and mountain glaciers, warming up of lakes, changing migration patterns of animals, rising sea levels, and extreme weather patterns. Others include the extinction of some plant and animal species, the emergence of new crop pests and diseases, intense heat waves, among others.
Despite the efforts made in response to this problem, not much has been achieved, and the situation is worrying. Global warming is attributed mainly to human activities that have interfered with the environment causing pollution. The impacts of global warming are irreversible, and the only thing that can be done is to mitigate the effects and find adaptation mechanisms. To combat global warming, it requires concerted efforts to reduce our carbon footprints on the earth. The lack of goodwill on the part of governments and other agencies in the fight against activities that lead to global warming worsens the situation. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Major causes of global warming include environmental pollution, long-term, extensive development, and some natural factors.
Causes of global warming
Environmental pollution is the leading cause of global warming (Cline, 1992). Environmental pollution entails the release of pollutants into the environment to the extent that normal ecological processes are adversely affected. Studies have indicated that environmental pollution has increased significantly in the past few years (Endersbee, 2008). Similar studies have also stated that with the increase of pollution, greenhouses gas emissions into the atmosphere have also risen to alarming rates.
It has been proved that greenhouse gases are the primary cause of global warming. Human-induced pollution of the environment is the primary cause of the rise in global temperatures. Research shows that industrial activities that drive modern civilization are responsible for the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years. It is human-caused greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that have resulted in the observed increase in the earth’s temperatures in the past few decades. When these gases are released into the atmosphere, they collect and absorb solar radiation from the earth’s surface, which would have been naturally dissipated into the atmosphere. This causes a greenhouse gas effect on the earth’s surface.
Long-term, extensive developments have also played a significant role in global warming (Huang et al., 2012). Researchers have indicated that extensive developments are being experienced in various sectors, primarily due to the advancement of technology. For instance, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerants and propellants before the 1990s were a significant source of greenhouse gases whose adverse effects on the ozone layer still exists to date.
Electricity production by the burning of fossil fuels is another significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. With the rising demand for electricity to keep the economy running, the demand for fossil energy continues to increase. Studies have indicated that fossil energy produces greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and these gases are known to increase global warming (Shahzad, 2015). Therefore, the growth of demand for fossil energy also means that more of these greenhouses gases will be produced, thereby accelerating global warming.
In general, extensive development has a significant influence on global warming mainly through the burning of fossil fuels in pursuit of generating electricity, fuel motorized transport, space conditioning, and fueling industrial process heat. Other forms of development contributing significantly to global warming include the burning of biomass and mass clearance of natural vegetation to pave the way for plantation crop farming.
Natural factors are also said to be contributing to global warming (Ciais et al., 2013).
It is understood that the earth goes through different phases, mainly cold and warm stages, and the changes of these phases have been linked to global warming. Various natural forces cause global warming, but mainly volcanic eruptions, the intensity of the sun, and the naturally occurring greenhouse gas concentrations (Hughes, 2000). The levels of naturally arising greenhouse gases also appear to increase over time, adding to the growing problem of global warming. Volcanic eruptions are known to have both a cooling and warming effect on the earth’s climate. When they occur, volcanoes emit a mixture of gases and other substances into the atmosphere. Some of the materials emitted, such as carbon dioxide and sulfur add to the greenhouse gas effect, thus contributing to global warming. However, according to scientists, the natural causes of global warming have a minimal influence or occur too slowly to explain the rapid warming recorded in recent times.
Conclusion
Global warming is real, and its effects are being felt everywhere. The major contributors to the phenomena are human-caused environmental pollution and long term extensive development. The two are the most significant contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. While there are some natural causes of global warming, such as volcanic eruptions and naturally occurring greenhouse gases, their contribution is insignificant as compared to anthropogenic causes.
The effects of global warming are devastating both to the environment and to the human race. Some of the adverse effects include extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels due to melting of ice caps, heat waves, the emergence of new pests and diseases, disrupting migratory patterns of birds and animals, and loss of food security, among others.
There is a need to control environmental pollution and long-term, extensive development to combat global warming. For the efforts to mitigate the effects of global warming to succeed, there is a need for goodwill from both governments and other agencies. Perhaps, the implementation of effective environmental policies and encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy would be an appropriate response to global warming. Working towards reducing global warming will make the world a sustainable place for future generations.
References
Ciais, P., Gasser, J., Paris, K., Caldera., M.R., Raupach, J.G., Canadell, A., Patwardhn, P., Friedlingstein, Pio, S.L. & Gitz, V. (2013). Attributing the increase in atmospheric CO2 to emitters and absorbers. Nature Climate Change, 3, 926-930.
Cline, W. R. (1992). The economics of global warming. Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC, 399.Retrieved from https://energystudiesreview.ca/esr/article/view/276/601
Endersbee, L. (2008). Global climate change has natural causes. EIR Science, 53-55 Accessed from http://www.co2web.info/Endersbee_EIR-March-08.pdf
Huang, J., Shao-Wu, W., Yong, L., Zong-Ci, Z. & Xin-Yu, W. (2012). Debates on the causes of global warming. Advances in Climate Change Research, 3(1), 38-44.
Hughes, L. (2000). Biological consequences of global warming: is the signal already apparent? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 15(2), 56-61.
Shahzad, U. (2015). Global warming: Cause, effects, and solutions. Durreesamin Journal, 1(4). Accessed from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316691239_Global_Warming_Causes_Effects_and_Solutions