Population Growth and Climatic Change

Population Growth and Climatic Change

Introduction

One major contributor to global climatic change is the growing population. One extra person in the community means excess carbon emission because there is more burning of fossil fuel, which is the number one emitter of greenhouse gases. Moreover, as the population increases, there will be a need to increase agricultural activities to feed the people. Moreover, more land will be needed to build more shelters. This forces people to cut trees down, leading to deforestation and soil erosion. Industrialization also increases. All these consumption patterns lead to the emission of CO2 gas. The paper will cover background information on greenhouse gases and how they cause problems in the developing world, the causes of greenhouse gases, and the solutions to these problems. The developing country under scrutiny in India and specifically how agriculture, industrialization, forestry, and change in land use contributes to GHG emissions. Adopting green energy and sustainability practices is a measure that could contain GHG emissions and stabilize the climate.

Background information

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases that can absorb and produce radiant gases within the thermal infrared range. They cause the greenhouse effect, where the sun’s warmth is trapped in the planet’s ozone layer making the temperatures rise. The rays are also dangerous to people as they cause cancer. The greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone. Global warming can be defined as an increase in temperature in the earth’s atmosphere. GHG gases can be able to trap the heat rays into the atmosphere, preventing them from escaping into the upper atmosphere through the radiation process. The hot rays of the sun cause a temperature increase in the earth’s atmosphere, thus global warming.

How Emissions Cause Problems for the Developing World

The highest percentage of carbon emissions mostly come from developed countries. These countries are China, the US, India, Russia, and Japan. China is the leading country in GHG emission, producing up to 98.8 billion metrics tons while the US is the second with 5.3 billion tons of Carbon dioxide. This is because they generate their energy, mostly from coal. GHG gases cause economic hardship in developing countries. The climate in India is rising at a higher rate than it was thought, therefore affecting all the economic activities such as agriculture and fishing. Rivers are drying up, limiting agriculture, and cutting off the food supply. The Himalayan glaciers have receded, reducing the amount of water following into them. Also, greenhouse gases cause the formation of acid rain, which does not support plant life. Agriculture has been affected profoundly, and the government is forced to import food, which is more expensive, causing economic constraints to the country.

GHGs also causes security issues.  Climate change in India has reduced the food supply in India, causing droughts, leaving her vulnerable to any attacks that may come. It’s the way. According to statistics, 194.4 million people in India do not have enough to eat. Food security is a significant challenge in the country. Poverty spreads every day, leaving people defenseless. Also, the shortage of water supply in the country could cause deadly disease outbreaks.

The issue of food has brought about political drama in the country. The government is failing to provide food for its people effectively. Moreover, the issue of corruption is on the rise, as the political leaders use their power to benefit from the relief programs. The country has also been for so long affected by terrorism. Due to food and water shortage, the defense system continues to weaken every day. Also, the government is using more resources to feed its population and not investing in its security system, leaving the borders vulnerable to terrorism.

Causes of Greenhouse Gases

One cause of greenhouse gases is industrialization and fuel-powered machines. Most industries are powered by coal. When coal is burnet, it produces carbon monoxide (C0). The gas then oxidizes to become carbon dioxide (CO2), which, due to the destruction of the ozone layer, is trapped to the lower atmosphere. Also, as the machines are run, smoke is produced. The smoke contains soot, which is suspended into the air. Another source of GHG deforestation. Trees and vegetation take in carbon dioxide from the air, while animals and human beings breathe out CO2. Therefore, when the trees are cut, the CO2 in the air accumulates because there is no vegetation to use it up.

What are the potential solutions that address each of the causes you identified?

The solution to emissions from industrialization and machines is the use of green energy. Industries could invest in green energy to power their machines rather than relying on coal. Wind and solar energy are efficient and readily available too. Even if the country can reason that they are more expensive to trap and produce, the adverse effects the coal energy is bringing to the world will cost people much more. Therefore, it is wise to use safe energy and eradicate global warming once and for all. Machines such as vehicles and trains could also be powered through electricity.

The solution to deforestation is afforestation and reforestation, and also adopting sustainable activities. As a nation, it would be hard to live without cutting trees down due to the demand for new settlement land. However, some lands lie bare after trees being cut off. These lands can be replanted trees. Rules on planting true should be put to the place where is one cuts one tree; they should plant 2 or 3 more.  The government should also reserve lands specifically for forestry to protect water catchment areas. Policies for reducing paper should also be put to place. For instance, paper packages should be completely out ruled to reduce the urgency of paper manufacturing.

What is the relationship between population control and greenhouse gas emissions?

Population control can be an effective means to reduce greenhouse emissions. This is because if the population is contained, then consumption patterns reduce. For instance, India is already overpopulated. Therefore, if the population is contained, there will be less need to make forest land settlement lands. Overproduction to feed a growing population also decreases. This way, the production of emission gases will also reduce.

Conclusion

Greenhouse gases will continue to cause climate change in developing countries. Already, India’s climate is rising, changing the weather patterns and making it hard to practice agriculture and farming. The country is gradually turning into a desert, and this is a great threat as it is hardly able to support the growing population. Therefore, it is time that prevention measures are put to place. The population needs to be contained to reduce the consumption of natural resources that emit GHGs. Also, there is a need to practice sustainability, such as the use of green energy and reforestation. Every citizen, government, and non-governmental agencies should join hands in this fight against GHGs and global warming before it is too late, and the world is too harsh to support human life.