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27 February 2020
GlobalWarming
Globalwarming emanates from both the natural and anthropogenic climatechanges. In the current environment, the process has remained a majorissue that is setting the international agenda. The IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change(IPCC) uses the name climate change to refer entirely to alterationsin the physical environment brought about by human actions. Climaticchanges have seen the increase in the average temperature of theEarth’s atmosphere and oceans. It is noteworthy that climatechanges include the increase of the Earth’s atmospheric temperatureas well as the decrease of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Conditions such as hotter days, unpredictable weather patterns,massive flooding, storms, and severe droughts are some of the resultsof global warming. The Earth’s atmosphere has already warmed byabout 1.5 degrees Celsius. Adoption of uniform mitigation measuressuch as green energy, conservation efforts, appropriate spatialplanning, and clean coal technology may help in reducing the effectsarising from human-made causes.
Naturalclimate changes emanate from physical activities and occurrences thatare beyond the control of human beings. In fact, the actions are notpredictable hence, can happen anytime without warnings. A volcaniceruption is a good example of a factor that contributes towards theprocess. The action results in the discharge of carbon-dioxide,sulfur-dioxide, and aerosols. Aerosols, both in liquid and solidform, float in the air, therefore, blocking solar radiations.Volcanic aerosols cause a cooling effect that may last for up to twoyears. In 1816, for instance, a violent volcanic eruption occurred inIndonesia, at Mount Tambora. The cooling effect resulted in snowfalling in the US and Canada. The explosion also caused massive croplosses, food shortage, and deaths. It is notable that the affectedregions never experienced summer during that year. Similar outbreaksoccurred in Krakatau and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. Further,variation in the solar radiation causes climate changes. Theradiation varies in small amounts due to sunspots. The sunspots areknown to cause intense magnetic field that affects the flow of gassesand heat energy in the environment. Sunspots have lower temperaturesthan the surrounding areas. A high number of sunspots results inwarmer global climate (Mathez and Jason 175).
Anthropogenicclimate variations emanate from human actions. Such actions may beintended to benefit the humanity. One characteristic of anthropogenicclimate changes is that they are predictable. They are also known tooccur with warnings. Compared to natural causes, anthropogenicclimate changes are sometimes avoidable and preventable. Forinstance, massive amount of carbon dioxide is produced from theburning of fossil fuels for diverse purposes such as powergeneration, emission from industries, burning coal and runningvehicles. Most of these activities are human-made and results in thedischarge of large quantities of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.Consequently, they cause increased temperature on the Earth’satmosphere. Nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons are the other maincontributors to the global warming. Deforestation also occurs due tothe development of agricultural sector, human settlement, charcoalproduction, and fuel wood. Burning trees release carbon dioxide intothe environment. On the other hand, cutting down of trees reduces theconsumers of carbon dioxide in the environment (Grover 32).
Pollutionis another effect arising from the changing weather patterns. It is amajor problem affecting the environment, living creatures, humanhealth, and land. The pollution mainly originates from gas emissionsand discharge of toxic wastes into the surroundings. Toxic pollutantsin the ocean ecosystem have massive impacts on the plants andanimals. Heavy metal poisoning from industrial effluents accumulatesin the tissues of the marine creatures.
Peopleare encouraged to use alternative sources of renewable energy such aswind and geothermal power to reduce dependency on the fossil fuelproducts. Usage of eco-friendly machines open room for other energyresources, as well as, innovations in fuel efficiency. Solar,electricity, wind and hydrogen fuel have great potential to drivemachines. Development of renewable power resources is crucial to meetthe global energy demands. Studies on the alternative sources ofpower reveal that they are less costly, predictable, and sustainreliability on energy provision. Such initiatives will beinstrumental in reducing the emissions of hazardous gasses that causeglobal warming (Edenhofer, Madruga, and Sokona 38).
Globalwarming can be avoided through reducing the levels of greenhousegasses emissions from aluminum smelting, and methane flare atlandfills. Furthermore, investment in renewable forms of energy tosubstitute the fossil fuel power generation and cleaning industrialwaste gasses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Industrializedcountries need to compile a national account of these gasses andassess their progress towards reducing them (Smith and Wigley 462).
Inconclusion, changes in the weather patterns have become anenvironmental and social concern to all nations around the world.Promotion of proper measures and options within the environmentalsector can provide significant and tangible benefits to both theenvironment and the social concerns in the communities. There is aneed for adoption of standard universal laws on worldwideenvironmental management practice to mitigate the effects of globalwarming and provision of viable solutions.
WorksCited
Edenhofer,Ottmar, Madruga R. Pichs, and Y Sokona. RenewableEnergy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation: Special Report of theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.New York: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print.
Grover,Velma I. ClimateChange: Five Years After Kyoto.Enfield (N. H.: Science publ, 2004. Print.
Mathez,Edmond A, and Jason E. Smerdon. ClimateChange: The Science of Global Warming and Our Energy Future.New York: Columbia University Press, 2009. Print.
Smith,Steven J. and T.M.L.Wigley. "Global warming potentials: 2.Accuracy." ClimaticChange(2000): 459-469. Print.