Global_Warming

Environmental ethics is a big concern to life on earth. Global warming is a big part of the concern. Global warming is the increase in global temperatures brought about by the increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (2009, Answers corporation). Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to the excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This is a worldwide issue, and I believe more people need to step up and help. I do not understand how anyone could say that they do not care about the earth! “Scientist has spent decades trying to figure out what is causing global warming. They have looked at the natural cycle and events that are known to influence climate. But the amount of pattern and warming that has been measured can’t be explained by these factors alone” (1996-2009, National Geographic Society, para 1). Almost 100% of the observed temperature increase over the last 50 years has been due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone (Juerg Rohrer, para 1). Greenhouse gases are the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The largest contributing source of greenhouse gas is the burning of fossil fuels leading to the emission of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is by far the most important past and current greenhouse gas, followed by methane and nitrous oxide ( 2008-2009, para 20). Fossil fuels are fuels made of organic matter such as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned they give off a green house gas called CO2. Also mining coal and oil allows methane to escape. It escapes when coal or oil is mined because methane is naturally in the ground ( para 3). Man-made causes probably do the most damage. Global Warming 3 There are many man-made causes. Pollution is one of the biggest man-made problems. Pollution comes in many shapes and sizes. Burning fossil fuels is one thing that causes pollution. Once the greenhouse gases are emitted, some of these greenhouse gases end up in the atmosphere, where they trap a certain amount of originally solar energy (which would have otherwise escaped to space), and thus radiate this energy back to the Earth raising the planet’s average temperature. One way to deal with this issue is to develop alternatives to fossil fuels. Solar energy is the most abundant renewable energy resource on the planet. Some experts claim that the world’s annual energy demand can be met by harnessing solar radiation received by the Earth within just one hour (http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/green-investment.html). Development of these renewable sources of energy should be the top priority (2008-2009, para 2), it is our earth and we need to take care of it, although human species has the ability, through rational thought, to conserve resources. Also, according to the EPA countries from around the world, including the United States, are working together to share technologies, experience, resources and talent to lower total greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global warming (http://www.eoearth.org/article/Global_warming). Another major man-made cause of Global Warming is population. More people mean increased demand on earth's limited resources. So many people are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere faster than plants and oceans can absorb it (2007, National Geographic). Another problem with the increasing population is transportation. More people mean more cars and more cars means more pollution. About 33% of U.S carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of gasoline in internal-combustion engines of cars and light trucks like minivans, sport utility Global Warming 4 vehicles, pick-up trucks, and jeeps (US Emissions Inventory 2006 page 8). Vehicles with poor gas mileage contribute the most to global warming. For example, according to the E.P.A's 2000 Fuel Economy Guide, a new Dodge Durango sports utility vehicle (with a 5.9 liter engine) that gets 12 miles per gallon in the city will emit an estimated 800 pounds of carbon dioxide over a distance of 500 city miles. In other words for each gallon of gas a vehicle consumes, 19.6 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the air. (Marland, Gregg. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center). A new Honda Insight that gets 61 miles to the gallon will only emit about 161 pounds of carbon dioxide over the same distance of 500 city miles. I myself own a Chevy Trailblazer and a mid size car, and I try and drive the smaller one as much as possible. Also, many people have more than one car. The world’s population is struggling to come to terms with the issue of global warming and how it is becoming more than just a false belief. Changing the world can be so simple, just decreasing the amount you use your car could help. Walk or ride your bike for short distances, park and walk. If you can't afford to buy a new fuel-efficient car, consider selling or junking your gas demanding car and buying a smaller, efficient used car. Besides saving money on gas, oil, tires, parts, and repairs, you can help reduce greenhouse gases. No matter what type of car you drive, be sure to operate it efficiently. As well as lowering the amount of pollutants being put into the air, citizens can reduce their energy bills by replacing their home appliances by energy efficient products in their home. I have recently replaced all of my light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs, and not only do they save you money but they are much brighter! Global warming is a problem, and it won’t go away without the cooperation of the world and its inhabitants. Global warming 5 “Some experts point out that natural cycle in Earth's orbit can alter the planet's exposure to sunlight, which may explain the current trend. Earth has indeed experienced warming and cooling cycles roughly every hundred thousand years due to these orbital shifts, but such changes have occurred over the span of several centuries. Today's changes have taken place over the past hundred years or less” (2007, National Geographic). People who oppose the reality of global warming believe that science hasn’t reached the stage where they are able to provide people with solid answers to all the major questions about the global climate, other opponents say global warming is just a man made scientific consensus for attention and so there is no need to take action. Whether global warming is being caused by nature or they are man- made, the effects or still bad. The effects of global warming are of concern both for the environment and human life. As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons” (2009, About.com). Also, the temperature of oceans rises, so will the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes. Hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage. Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global, inland cities are not safe either. Rather than surging seawaters and hurricanes, they will face drought. So what can be done in order to keep from all of that from happening' We need to stop putting so much pollution in to the air. I think that most people have no clue about global warming and its affects. Honestly, I did not know much until I research the subject. No matter what there will always be a little bit of Carbon Dioxide omitted Global Warming 6 into the atmosphere. If we could just limit all the coal and fossil fuels that we burn, there will not be so much greenhouse gases and it would keep all of that from happening so quickly. There have also been many attempts by the United States Presidents Administrations in order to help slow down the effect. In my lifetime I know that I won’t see anything too drastic happen due to global warming, but there is a chance that my children and grandchildren will. Hopefully they will not. Also, the rise in temperature is causing the polar ice caps to melt which has many horrible side- effects. “First, it will raise sea levels. Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English - make it less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current will mess up ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the Arctic Circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive. Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the Earth” (http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/5-deadliest-effects-of-global-warming/276). In conclusion, global warming is a serious and urgent problem that can be reduced by us. Not only humans are affected but animals and the environment. Future predictions do not look good for this planet if nothing is done. Everyone can help by changing small things in their lives like choosing energy efficient appliances, using dish washer only when full, or taking a shower Global Warming 7 instead of a bath. You can even write to your local congress representative or your local newspaper in response to stories, which say global warming, does not exist. Yes, it is that simple!