Analysis of the Effects of Population Growth in Armenia

Analysis of the Effects of Population Growth in Armenia

Introduction

  The increase in the human population is a significant contributor to the global warming crisis. This is because humans have contributed to the rise in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. With the countries already experiencing the effects, this has promoted nations such as Armenia to have strategies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.  The paper will explore the impact of greenhouse gases, the sources, and solutions to mitigate the increase in greenhouses.

Background

Greenhouses are made up of three or more atoms. They include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and chlorofluorocarbons.  Other halogenated substances such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine are also greenhouse gases, which are commonly known as chlorofluorocarbons. The gases are produced from industrial activity, and they are potent. These gases have the ability to absorb the heat from the sun, causing greenhouse effects.  The molecular structure of these gases is in such a way that it facilitates the trapping of heat (Kweku 1). Greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels and artificial production. Greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect due to the high concentration of these gases.  The increase in the concentration of greenhouse alters the transfer of energy between the space, oceans, and land. The altered balance of energy causes global warming, which is the warming of the earth’s surface.  Notably, an increase in the atmospheric greenhouse gases results in positive radiative forcing. This increases the earth’s absorption of energy, which eventually leads to global warming.   In addition, greenhouse gases result in the formation of a blanket in the atmosphere. These results in the absorption of Ultra Violet radiation from the sun and prevent its escape into the earth’s outer space (Marc 2).  The net effect of the is the gradual warming of the earth’s surface and atmosphere.

The Environmental Protection Agency indicates that the concentration of greenhouse gases has been increasing since the start of the industrial revolution in the 1800s.  This is because of the increase in the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil, and coal, which were used in the industrial process. Currently, the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased with more than 40 percent from 280n parts per million in the early 1800s to 400ppm (Marc 2).

 Effects of Green House Emissions

World Bank report indicates that developing countries, which include poor and middle-income countries, contribute to more than half of the carbon dioxide emission. This is because of their over-reliance on fossil fuels, which are used to run their economies. Developing countries have started deliberate strategies that have been aimed at suing alternative sources of energy. Armenia has begun feeling the effects of global warming on the economy. The country is agriculture intensive, with 62 percent of the land being used for agriculture (USAID 3). The reduced precipitation in the last decade has meant that the country has to rely on irrigation for 80 percent of its agriculture. Global warming has resulted in an increase in temperature and reduced rain, causing farmers to use irrigation as an alternative. Armenia has experienced extreme weather, which includes hail, spring frosts, hot, dry winds, and drought. This has caused damage to crops and livestock.  Notably, between 2000 and 2005, the country experienced a $107 million loss in the agriculture sector due to the adverse weather effects (USAID 3).  Particularly, Ararat Valley, which is known as an agricultural area, has been most affected, leading to a reduction in wheat production. Estimates indicate that the production of wheat in the area will reduce by 6-8 percent between 2040 and 2050 (USAID 3). The increase in temperatures has increased crop and livestock diseases and pests. Projections indicate that apricot, potato and grape yields will reduce due to the climate stressors.

Causes of Greenhouse Gases and Solutions to the Problems Greenhouse Gases

 Deforestation is one of the origins of the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is the cutting down of trees that which a role in balancing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ideally, as the population increases, there is a need to create settlement space as well as land for agriculture. As a result, encroached forests and cut down trees to create the needed space.  The World Resources Institute estimates that deforestation has contributed to 12 -17b percent of the annual emissions of greenhouse gases in the world (Khan 4). Trees reduce the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide as they absorb the gases during the process of photosynthesis.  However, with the decrease in the number of trees, maintaining the balance of greenhouse gases remains difficult.  This has resulted in the ultimate increase in the level of carbon dioxide. In 1990, the forest cover was 31.6 percent of the land on earth, and this has since reduced to 30.6 percent in 2015. The United Nations Framework Climate Convention on Climate Change indicates that agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation.

Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum, gas, coal, and oil has contributed to the release of greenhouse gases.  Fossil fuels are used at home for cooking and to power industries. Notable, when a gallon of gasoline is burned, it releases 19 pounds of carbon dioxide (Khan 4).  With the increase in the human population, the use of fossil fuels has increased. These have contributed to the increase in the levels of air pollution.

To deal with the increase in greenhouse gases, Armenia needs to focus on afforestation. This is the rehabilitation of the land through the planting of trees to increase the vegetation cover.  This will increase carbon sinks, which eventually reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Use of alternative sources of energy such as wind power and solar energy for both home and industry. With the increase in the human population, there is increased pressure in the fossil fuels, which are the main source of energy. Wind power can be used to generate energy, which can, in turn, be used in homes and industries (Kaddo 5). The advantage of this form of energy is that it does not rely on water to turning the turbines as in hydroelectric power.  The tapping of solar energy is an alternative source that can be used for heating and cooking at home. It is worth noting that these are clean forms of energy that do not pollute the atmosphere.

There is a link between the increase in the global population and the emission of greenhouse gases. This is because human activity is the major contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases as human beings use fossil fuels as their main source of power (Scientific American 6).  With an increased population, there is an increased demand in gas, oil, coal, and other fuels that are mined from the earth’s surface. In addition, an increase in population increases land pollution, which contributes to the release of methane into the atmosphere.  In the 20^th century, the human population grew from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases by 12-fold (Scientific American 6).  As such, reducing the population will be vital in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

Human beings are the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. These gases include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, and nitric oxide.   Developing countries such as Armenia has continued to feel the effects as indicated by the adverse weather effects which have affected the economic, political, and social climate of the country.  With Armenia being dependent on agriculture, the country needs to focus on afforestation as a way of rehabilitating the land. In addition, to reduce the over-reliance on fossil fuels, there is needed to invest in renewable sources of energy. This includes wind and solar energy whose production and use do not pollute the environment.  Ultimately, population control needs to be a solution as the increased population continues to put pressure on the environment.

Sources

1. Kweku, Darkwah Williams, 2017, Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse Gases and Their Impact on Global Warming. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323223192_Greenhouse_Effect_Greenhouse_Gases_and_Their_Impact_on_Global_Warming/link/5ab29e670f7e9b4897c5933b/download
2. Marc Lallanila 2018, What Is the Greenhouse Effect? LiveScience, Purch, livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html.
3. USAID, 2017, Climate Risk Profile: Armenia, https://www.climatelinks.org/sites/default/files/asset/document/2017_USAID_Climate%20Change%20Risk%20Profile_Armenia.pdf
4. Khan, Md Zulfequar Ahmad, 2017, Causes and Consequences of Greenhouse Effect & Its Catastrophic Problems for Earth. International Journal of Sustainability Management and Information Technologies, http://article.sciencepg.org/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsmit.20170304.11.pdf
5. Kaddo, Jameel. (2016). Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions, https://spark.parkland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1163&context=ah
6. Scientific American, 2009, Does Population Growth Impact Climate Change? Scientific American, www.scientificamerican.com/article/population-growth-climate-change/.