Global Warming

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Have you ever wondered why the Earth is getting hotter? Researchers today have found the exact reason for the question that has been up in the air for all this time. Global Warming is a problem that will affect each and everyone of us if not stopped. Through global warming, and the thinning of the ozone layer, the warming of the Earth will be in effect throughout humanity.

The Industrial Revolution, in the 18^th century was a drastic change that occurred in Europe. Thousands of modern day tools were replaced with machines that helped produce products that were more accurate and quicker. What used to be an agricultural economy was now turning into an industrial economy. Fossils fuels everyday were being burned to produce people with transportation and goods needed to survive. Since the beginning of the revolution, fossil fuels being burned were producing a gas called carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is tasteless, odorless and indivisible yet so much of this gas can be harmful. The numerous amounts carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels during the Industrial revolution such as coal, oil, and natural gas, created a greenhouse, or a trap in keeping the Earth’s heat in and not letting the sun’s energy out.

Human activities produced harmful gases such as: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflourocarbons (HFC’s), perflourocarbons (PFC’s), and sulfur hexaflouride (SF). These gases have produced a heating trend around the world. The temperature on the Earth over the past 100 years has risen .5 degrees Celsius or 1* Fahrenheit. There is much more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the world needs. The way for plants to live is by using photosynthesis that requires carbon dioxide. Since our forests and plants are becoming extinct, the carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere leading to a build up of harmful gases. These gases will produce future problems for the Earth.

The cause of global warming has become known to the world. A few years ago, scientists discovered that the Wilkins ice shelf in the Antarctic Peninsula was melting. In size, the Wilkins Ice shelf is twice the size of Delaware. 1,200 square miles of the shelf has been melted because of the warming of the Earth’s temperature. The temperature of the water was growing in numbers causing the ice to becoming slush. The slush would then become water raising the water levels for oceans.

On the Eastern side of the United States in the 1930s, summer temperatures skyrocketed. The excruciating temperatures that hit the eastern states killed nearly 15,000 people. In the United States, every year, 175 people die from excessive summer heat. Minnesota had an average temperature of 7.5* Fahrenheit warmer than usual, and Washington 3.5 * Fahrenheit warmer than usual. Theses record breaking temperatures last through the 1940s. According to CBS News, “since the 1940s, British researchers have reported increase in mean annual temperature in the Antarctic of 4.5* Fahrenheit. Summer temperature sometimes exceeded 32* Fahrenheit. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The climate changes could severely affect ecosystems.” (Bush To shift U.S. Policy on Climate Goals, Los Angeles Times).

On August of 1999, the National Wildlife Federation held a seminar explaining the recent findings. They have discovered that last year’s ocean water temperatures reached record high levels leading to the bleaching of coral. A U.S. State Department report confirmed that, “only global warming could have induced such extensive bleaching simultaneously throughout the disparate reef regions of the world.” (George Bush, Presidential Documents).The United States accounts for 20% of the greenhouse gases produced today. China is the world’s second major emitter of greenhouse gases.

According to the World News Digest, “Scientists have recently identified a rare synthetic gas that trapped heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Thus contributing to the greenhouse effect believed to cause global warming. Scientists said the greenhouse gas, Triflouromethyl Sulfur Pentaflouride, took more than one thousand years to break down that molecule for molecule was more potent than all the other greenhouse gasses in trapping heat in the atmosphere.” (Global Warming: Potent New Greenhouse Gas Identified, 17 August 2000).

On February fourteenth of 2002 The Los Angeles Times produced an imperative article on the subject of global warming stating “Most scientists believe that human-produced greenhouse gases are largely responsible for the one degree increase in average temperature over the last century.” (Bush To shift U.S. Policy on Climate Goals, Los Angeles Times). Many scientists also understand that, “ The key to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not the amount of fossil fuels there is in the ground, but how quickly we dig it up and burn it.” (John Gribbin, 211).

According to Hillary Mayell, a journalist for The National Geographic News, scientists have identified that soot, “A prime culprit in smog and bane of inner city dwellers, has been fingered as perhaps the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.” (Hillary Mayell, The National Geographic Magazine).

On the seventh day of February in the Artic, researchers discovered that, “Global warming is melting the Arctic’s permafrost causing it to release greenhouse gases that could in turn raise temperatures very high.” (Scientists Fear Cycle of Global Warming, ABC News). Hopefully, with these recent findings, scientists can develop logical solutions to solve global warming.

Many researchers and scientists have tried to keep global warming under control by setting up agreements and programs. In 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was to evaluate the scientific knowledge on global warming. This new program had broad information on the topic so this failed. Many of the nations who have a greenhouse gas problem are afraid that if they change their economy will drastically change and lead them into a depression state. Although if something does not change with the industries within those nations, the effects of global warming will be irreversible and long term.

In 1992, a treaty was created called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). According to the senior analyst, Susan R. Fletcher, in International Environmental policy and Industry division, “The United States was one of the first nations to ratify this treaty. It included a legally non-binding, voluntary pledge that the major industrialized/developed nations would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000” (CRS Report For Congress, 14 March 2002).

In 1997, hundreds of nations met in Kyoto, Japan to discus the topic of Global warming. All one hundred and sixty nations that met together agreed to reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions. The United States, in particular, agreed to reduce gas levels by seven percent. Only fifty nations have put this agreement into actions and have started to reduce the amount of fossil fuels they are using. The agreement that was supposed to “bind” nations and reduce greenhouse gas and attack global warming, actually failed. In July of 2001, if countries produced more greenhouse gases than allowed by 2012, nations would have to cut the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by thirty percent. If the Kyoto Protocol carbon emissions were imposed on each nation, industries would see lower consumption and production rate.

Scientists all over the globe have predicted the outcome of our Earth if the problem of Global Warming is not stopped. Most of the predictions are negative and unpleasant. Many people who have an idea of the subject of global warming believe that the polar ice caps will melt and the Earth will be flooded. If the warming of the Earth is not stopped, this could happen.

I predict that if the greenhouse gasses are not kept under control, the Earth’s temperature will drastically rise and in hundreds of years, the polar ice caps will melt. Also, the Earth will go through tremendous and long droughts. The temperatures will reach extreme temperatures daily where each year, more and more people will die of heat exhaustion. Many people will suffer from skin cancer. Many more holes in the ozone will be found that will create a dangerous living environment for people. Like our neighboring planet, Venus, if carbon dioxide is not stabilized, the Earth will become a super hot desert and have a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.

According to the website, Global Issues that Affect Everyone, “The ozone layer has been depleting for years. Scientists have confirmed that the ozone hole currently over Antarctica is three times the size of the United States and growing. More than 60% of the ozone layer blanketing the Arctic Circle was lost in the 1999/2000 winters. Also in September, the ozone hole stretched over a populated city for the first time” (Global Issues that Affect Everyone, 17 March 2002). Now that the ozone layer has stretched over thousands of people, many of them will develop skin cancer at an earlier age and burn faster when in the sun. When the hole becomes larger, I predict that countless amounts of people will be restricted to their homes and perform less outdoor activities. These horrifying changes will possibly occur hundreds of years later.

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.” –Old Ancient Chinese Proverb. Every bit of fossil fuel not burned means a healthy lifestyle for our children. The amount of carbon dioxide released each day can decide our future as human beings. Our role as humans is to keep our Earth healthy and clean. With certain steps taken, people can lower the effects of global warming.

The Global Warming Networking Program is designed to teach human beings the right way to use energy efficient appliances, recycle, plant trees and other shrubs, and learn about other ways to protect the environment. This plan will help human beings live in a safer environment and keep the Earth healthy and pleasant. By setting the example of recycling everyday, using fuel efficient automobiles, new efficient home appliances and conserving energy, people will be able to adopt the new program quickly. Many new Laws will be enforced on recycling and conserving energy. When people in the community follow this program, they will receive a decent tax deduction for jobs such as recycling and using energy efficient appliances. All these small steps will help lower the amount of carbon dioxide produced each year. This program involves personal commitment to stabilizing the Earth’s temperature and protecting the Ozone Layer. According to Harold Bernard, “A plan will involve personal commitment to slight changes in our lifestyles, particularly as they relate to transportation” (Harold Bernard, 168). Through global warming, and the thinning of the ozone layer, the warming of the Earth will be in effect throughout humanity. With the plan given, our Earth’s environment will be stabilized and fit for generations of human beings.

Works Cited

Bernard W Harold Jr. The Greenhouse Effect. Massachusetts: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1980.

Bush, George Walker. Personal Interview. 18 June 2001.

Global Climate Change Treaty: The Kyoto Protocol, 6 March 2000, CRS Report for Congress < http://cnie.org/NLE/CRSreports/Climate/clim-3.cfm>

Global Warming, 6 April 2001, United States Environmental Protection Agency < http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/>

Global Warming, 28 July 1998, Global Issues <http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming/Ozone.asp>

Global Warming: Potent New Greenhouse Gas Identified, 17 August 2000, World News Digest, http://www.2facts.com/stories/index/2000183440.asp.

“Greenhouse, Growing Greener on Patches of Earth, Study Finds.” The National Geographic Magazine. 6 September 2001.

Gribbon, John. Future Weather and The Greenhouse Effect. New York: Delacorte Press, 1982.

Shogren, Elizabeth. “Bush to shift U.S. policy on climate goals Environment: The plan will focus on limiting the growth of carbon dioxide emissions as opposed to reducing them outright.” Los Angeles Times. 14 February 2002, Sec PA. A-13

“Soot Identified as Major Contributor to Global Warming.” The National Geographic Magazine. 12 February 2001.