The Global Warming

Introduction

Global warming is the elevation of the temperatures on the earth’s surface resulting from greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide emission from fossils burning and deforestation trapping the heat that escapes from the earth’s surface. There is a continuing controversy regarding the influence of the human activities to climate change. Several studies done have proved the connection with human activities and global warming. According to the several computer models used in the study of climate change, the average temperature should have increased by 1 percent in last 100 years, due to the increase in the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, the temperature increase of one and half times degrees is observed. Most of the temperature increases were recorded before 1940 while the greenhouse gases because of human activities polluted the air after 1940s. Subsequently the greenhouse gases account for only a small percentage of this elevation. The increase in global warming resulting from greenhouse gases accounts for less increase in temperature than had been predicted to be the result of the human activity (Colligan, 2012).  Other recent studies indicate that the cooling effect resulting from atmospheric pollution has accounted for the absence of global warming due to the man- made greenhouses. Though,  people suppose that global warming is not the result of human activities.

Is Global Warming Due to Human Actions?

The fundamental mechanism which supports the fact that human activity affects the global temperature is based on the greenhouse effects resulting from the elevation of the carbon dioxide levels. This could be combined with other human activities which affect the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in significant quantities enough to affect the global temperature. The greenhouse gases reabsorb the heat reflected from the earth surface, hence trapping the heat in the atmosphere. For over hundred years, there has been an increase in these gases attributed to human activities. These gases build up with time leaving the atmosphere in a trap of excess heat. Human activities have enlarged the concentration of carbon dioxide by 30 percent, which is a significant increase recorded even in the inter-glacial timescale. From the recent studies, there is a correlation between the increase in fossil fuel combustion and the increase in the level of carbon dioxide ommited into the air. A third of the total carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere originates from the generation of electricity, a third from all transportation and a third accounts for the other sources of emissions.

Global warming is caused by human activities such as fossil fuels burning, agricultural activities and the changing forms of land use. These human activities affect the natural systems of the plant. The human activities from the production of raw materials such as steel, waste production, electricity, vehicles, ships and other modes of transport have detrimental effects to the world. The global temperature has significantly raised, and such rise is not believed to be caused by greenhouse gases only. The increases in the temperatures could be attributed to the cooling effects of sulfate aerosols, caused by combustion of fossil fuels. These aerosols cause acid rain, which is harmful to human health, which could eventually lead to further increase in global warming.

The fossil fuels burning accounts for 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere yearly. On the other hand, the natural greenhouse gases fluctuate. There is a record on the constant increase of tsuch gases since the onset of the industrial revolution, primarily propelled by fossil fuels combustion. For example, there is a constant increase in the levels of carbon dioxide. In 1700, the level of carbon dioxide was 280ppm. In 1900, the level of carbon dioxide, had risen to 290ppm, and there has been an increase of 1.5 percent of carbon dioxide per century with the current carbon dioxide level being 400ppm. Within the next four years, the level of carbon dioxide will exceed 400ppm due to the human activities. At the present increase in the level of carbon dioxide, it is expected that by 2050, the level of carbon dioxide will exceed 500ppm. Most of the climatologists in the world consider 350 to be the maximum level of carbon dioxide, which could be sustainable, though 350 is still on the higher side.

Human activities accelerate the Earth’s natural processes. It is clear that the period of global warming and the ice age is occurring.  Industrialization and other human activities have been linked to the increase in carbon dioxide level suggesting that the appetite for fossil fuels adds to the already present natural gases in the atmosphere. It is exceptionally clear that the greenhouse gases have increased significantly since the preindustrial times, attributed to the human activities. Deforestation of the tropical forests accounts for approximately 15 percent of the heat trapping emissions more than any other human activities. Plants are beneficial in the reduction of the carbon dioxide emission as plants take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen (Singer & Avery, 2008). Demolition of the rainforests releases a lot of carbon stored in the plants. Prevention of deforestation is a consequential action in the attempt to curb the process of global warming. Transpiration of plants releases water to the atmosphere, which is essential for the water cycle.  Other impacts of deforestation include the demolition of the natural habitat and ecosystems for many living things. It is, therefore, crucial to support sustainable agricultural practices and the preservation of the natural habitats will eventually lead to the conservation of the natural habitats.

However, global warming is not caused by human activities.  The reason for this is that 95 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions originate from the natural sources. Global warming is not caused by carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, but the increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide. A variety of natural resources release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and subsequently a total of 95 percent of the emissions could certainly still occur even with the absence of human activities. However, the natural resources represent most of the carbon dioxide emitted,  they are not likely to contribute to the recent increase in the carbon dioxide levels as the natural resources are responsible for the balancing of natural sinks, which extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Furthermore, current studies indicate that the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not high. Historical analysis indicates that there has been a higher level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than today. For instance, during the Jurassic period over 200 000 years ago, there was an average of 1800ppm of carbon dioxide concentration, which is approximately 4.7 percent times higher in comparison to the current carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. The highest concentration of carbon dioxide as recorded during the Paleozoic era was nearly 7000ppm, about 18 times higher than the current carbon dioxide levels. Currently, the average carbon dioxide level is nearing 400ppm, which is significantly low in comparison to the previous levels. However, it is worth noting that the carbon dioxide level was higher in the Paleozoic era since human beings did not exist. The scientists state that there is an increase of the carbon dioxide level in the earth atmosphere since they believe that it affects the human life yet it does not cause any changes to the earth’s ecosystems.

Current temperatures are not high, since the current temperature correlates to the temperatures recorded in the Carboniferous period, half a million years before, when the temperatures were also low as recorded today. The climate change witnessed during the Carboniferous period could be attributed to the Carboniferous ice age. Looking back at the history of the planet Earth, the temperatures witnessed are low. Therefore, there might be no issue if the planet warms by a few degrees.

Can the Human Race Take Actions to Stop Global Warming?

It is possible for the human race to take actions to prevent global warming. It can be realized by constant reduction of the carbon foot prints which is a positive thing as it can help reduce of global warming efffects. Many of the government agencies develop the carbon sequestration technology. This is through the maintenance of the use of fossil fuels especially coal. Policies need to be set in place which advocates the use of renewable energy to offset global warming. Driving less and in a smart manner implies that there will be fewer emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, hence the reduction of global warming. Besides saving the gasoline, walking or riding a bicycle affects positively on human health. In addition, walking or use of the public transport saves a pound of carbon dioxide.

Eating fresh food can help in the reduction of fuel combustion. Eating local food reduces the amount of fuel which could be used to go shopping in supermarkets far from the locality. Visiting of the farm markets could be the first step, and also when visiting the food store it is vital to read the products label to know the possible origin of the product. It will give you the potential to choose food from the locality rather than the foods shipped from different locations. Community support agricultural programs create mutual benefits from the farmers and the community. In addition, it is vital to minimize the use of appliances such as the laundry machines, dish washers and dryer machines. This reduces the amount of energy used, saves money as well as reduces wastage of energy (Miller, 2008).  Moreover, the walls insulation and the installation of the weather caulking around the doors and windows of the house reduce the heat cost by more than 25%. It is necessary to turn off the heater while sleeping at night, and moderate the temperatures in the house during the whole day. The thermostat setting at 2 degree lower during winter season and higher during summer give a possibility of saving approximately 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. The use of energy saving bulbs is essential in reducing the amount of energy use. For example, statistic shows that if all households in the US would use the CFL bulbs to replace the regular light bulbs it would reduce 90 million pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as driving of the cars on the roads. This reduces the electricity use, and consequently leads to the reducing of electricity generation. Furthermore, the maintenance of automobiles reduces global warming effects as it reduces the consumption of fossil fuels. Frequent changing of air filters is the easiest way of maintaining the eco-friendly driving. The changing of the oil filter can save up to $130 yearly, and consequently reduce carbon dioxide emission by 100 pounds.

The reusing and recycling of inorganic wastes such as polythene bags within the municipality can reduce pollution of the environment. The use of the reusable bags and buying of products with minimum packaging helps in the reduction of waste. Through recycling of the household wastes, it is possible to save 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. It is good to decompose the kitchen wastes, which could be used as manures to grow organic vegetables. This is due to the fact that plants extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for use in the process of photosynthesis.

A forestation is paramount in curbing the process of global warming. Thr deforestation of the tropical forests accounts for approximately 15 percent of the heat trapping emissions more than any other human activities. Plants are indispensable in the reduction of the carbon dioxide emission as plants take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Destruction of the rainforest releases a lot of carbon stored in the plants. Stopping of deforestation is a consequential action in the effort to curb the process of global warming. Transpiration of plants releases water to the atmosphere, which is essential for the water cycle. Other impacts of deforestation include the destruction of the natural habitat and ecosystems for many living things (Casper, 2010). It is therefore necessary to support sustainable agricultural practices and the conservation of the natural habitats.

On the other hand, there is no possibility for the human race to control the global warming because 95 percent of the carbon dioxide is released from the natural sources. Global warming is not caused by carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere, but the increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide. A variety of natural resources release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and subsequently a total of 95 percent of the emissions could certainly still occur even with the absence of human activities. Furthermore, human activity causes few greenhouse gases emissions compared to the gases emitted naturally. Sixty to seventy percent of the gases originate from the oceans, while 30 percent come from the living things on the terrestrial land and exceedingly little close to 3 percent comes from pollution. However, the natural resources represent most of the carbon dioxide emitted, they are not likely to contribute to the recent increase in the carbon dioxide levels as the natural resources are responsible for the balancing of natural sinks, which extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Human beings cannot control natural occurrences. Therefore, despite all the ideologies put in place, it is not possible to control global warming. Furthermore, global warming is occurring on other planets, so the Sun can be presumed as a cause, as it is a potential candidate for global warming. Ice surface of the Mars is melting because of the temperature rise, and the Jupiter is experiencing destructive hurricanes.

Conclusion

From the analysis of the above findings, it is clear that global warming is majorly caused by human activities. The human activities have led to the elevation of the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Elevation of carbon dioxide levels is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, which result in global warming. The global warming has led to the increase in the temperature. However, the human race has a chance to control the global warming through a forestation, leading to the increase of trees to store the carbon dioxide, and the use of appliances which could reduce the amount of energy used. Support programs, which champion reforestation projects, contribute to organizations that endorse foreign forest organization and look for wood products with the FSC-US Forest Management Standards to ascertain that the buying behaviors of the customers are not a contribution to deforestation. The human activities reduction leading to the carbon dioxide rise in the air has caused the global warming decline .