What exactly are we doing to the Earth by using fossil fuels? This is the question people ask when confronted with the idea of global warming and climate change. It has been known since the 19th century that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone can trap heat (National Affairs). So what? Everybody overstates how bad global warming is. Some people don’t even believe in it. People are entitled to their beliefs, but even people who are doubtful of climate change have to realize that science doesn’t back their views. Almost every scientist and climate-change activist inside or outside of the scientific community—and even most of those labeled “climate deniers” by the environmental movement—agrees with …show more content…
The Earth has grown steadily warmer since the Industrial Revolution, with increased pace of warming in the last forty years. He last twenty years have been the warmest on record. Warming likely will increase the number and severity of droughts, increase deaths due number and severity of droughts, increase deaths due to heat, and make it harder for some plants to grow in to heat, and make it harder for some plants to grow in their traditional environments their traditional environments. This can also have the added effect of making summers particularly harsh for countries with tropical climates (National). Countries have taken notice of the ill effects that greenhouse gases are having on the environment. Although climate change could prove to be a real problem, the most effective means of confronting it are by taking small steps, such as reducing government activity in areas that could prove to be maladaptive, or unleashing the market to solve problems(Why Go Nuclear?). The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, colloquially known as the Paris Talks, was held in response to warnings that a continued use of greenhouse gases will raise earth’s thermostat even higher. Simulations predicted a rise of several degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, if we proceed with business as usual. The U.S. has announced that is has decided to reduce carbon emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. This is an ambitious goal that will likely require implementation
During the past several hundred years, civilization has made rapid progress in industries like air travel, automobiles, and energy production. These developments were made without consideration of the long-term effects that their emissions may have on the planet. Changing weather patterns are now wreaking havoc around the world, and scientists attribute this to human-caused climate change. During President Obama’s State of the Union address in 2015, he stated that, “No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change,” (“Remarks by the President”). Warming temperatures caused by anthropogenic climate change have disastrous consequences that pose a threat to humanity and the environment.
Global warming is defined as the recent increase in the world 's temperature that is believed to be caused by the increase of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. There are many different theories on whether global warming is similar or not to climate change. Simplistically, climate change is different because climate change is defined as a change in global or regional climate patterns or, in particular, a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels, having been measured over long periods of time, due to the changes in Earth’s orbit and organic carbon which reflect sunlight. Global warming and climate change are not to be confused because global warming is caused mainly by anthropogenic factors like the emission of carbon dioxide gas and use of fossil fuels whereas climate change is completely natural, however, according to Milan Radovanovic, “it is clear that the anthropogenic factors dominate the increasing temperature and the natural ones have the maximum influence…” (Radovanovic). Therefore, “the contribution to global warming from natural forcings and from natural internal variability is in the range between -0.2 to 0.2 [degrees] celsius over the period 1951-2010…” (Radovanovic). Natural factors have had the most effect on global temperature in the past 59 years totaling a 0.4 degrees celsius increase in
We have all heard statistics over how unmitigated global warming can lead to rising sea levels, increased temperatures, lower rates of precipitation. The Congressional Budget Office recently found that climate change, if unmitigated, would create costly damage not only to the United States’s economy, but also to the world as a whole (source). Despite a scientific and general consensus that climate change is real and a problem, actual committed action against climate change has been disappointingly slow, until recently. We also know the cause of climate change. The United States EPA finds that “Carbon dioxide accounts for most of the nation’s emissions and most of the increase since 1990” (EPA). What we don’t know is a solution.
At this point in time our possible solutions to the global warming are few; our technologies aren’t advanced enough to take the brunt of energy production and wean away from fossil fuel, and we have been too passive for too long regarding our CO2 emissions that’s it’s not feasible to either use cap and trade, or a flat out reduction of CO2. At our current rate of growth, energy from alternative energy sources will be around 8% of the total energy usage by 2025 (Butler 3). This is not nearly enough to be used as a feasible solution to combat our rising CO2 production, and by the time this is feasible, sever climate changes may have
Global warming has escalated at the fastest rate in recorded history. We Americans don’t realize how much CO2 is produced every year. The burning of fossil fuels to make electricity is the largest provenance heat-trapping pollution. The United States comes in second of producing large amounts of CO2. Many climate changes have occurred due to the burning of fossil fuels. We need to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and start utilizing clean energy. Us Americans need to stop utilizing gas-operated cars instead we should use battery operated cars which is better for the
A lack of progress in recent years indicates a low level of concern among world leaders. In recent years, many scientists have implored leaders who seem not to be interested in climate change to show leadership in offsetting the impact of human induced climate change to the planet. As some world leaders seem not to see the urgency to mitigate the impact of global warming, the problem is getting more grounded. It is clear that human activities have altered the composition of the atmosphere since the industrial age. More and more power plants have been built, and their greenhouse gas emissions are causing more discomfort to the
According to an article focused on environmental awareness, “the world’s average surface temperature rose by approximately 1 degree Fahrenheit, the fastest rate in any period over the last 1000 years” (Source A). Damage has already been done to the environment but it is not the time to throw our hands up, it is the time for leaders in all sectors to tackle this issue head on. We know that carbon dioxide is the culprit, so now it is imperative to implement the solution and take a hard look at who is producing the most greenhouse gases. Big changes need to take place but they can only be done in steps and not all at once to be effective. In an excerpt from a book about global warming, Mark Maslin brings up the point that many feel the Kyoto Protocol does not go far enough; scientists believe that a 60% cut of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary in order to “prevent major climate change” (Source E). A sixty percent cut of emissions should be what countries work up to achieving but first and foremost, every country needs to agree to the Kyoto Protocol guidelines. The Kyoto Protocol itself should not be viewed as the end in the discussion of greenhouse gas restrictions, but rather the first stepping stone to a much broader and effective
Everyday society evolves, new technologies and ideas are born, although life seems perfect there are many reasons to be scared. Ever since the industrial revolution started the production of carbon dioxide has gone up in tremendous quantities. Because of this increase in greenhouse gases the earth has experienced drastic changes. These changes are the reason for why humanity should be scared, humans have control of many things but weather and natural disasters are not something we can control. On the other hand, society has taken steps to diminish the production of carbon dioxide, although this process may take time to make a significant impact it provides humanity with a reason to feel like our situation will improve. It is easy to feel good about these current efforts towards resolving climate change. However, to make a serious impact on the problem, we need to diminish our carbon dioxide footprint significantly, and
Since the twentieth century, there has been a growing movement to conserve and improve the environment. Issues such as holes in the ozone layer and raising temperatures can be traced to the world’s use of fossil fuels. In John Schwartz’s article “Another Inconvenient Truth: It’s Hard to Agree How to Fight Climate Change,” Schwartz states that over 195 countries attended a meeting in Paris, France to discuss the best methods for improving the environment. Although the countries agreed saving the environment must become a priority, there was still debate on the appropriate procedures to solve the negative effects of climate change. Nuclear power, natural gas, and working with fossil fuel companies are three highly contested issues, and Schwartz explains each side’s arguments as to why their solution is best.
The world is home to billions of people, living all across the globe. There are hundreds of countries and they all have different problems. Yet there is one issue that is worldwide, which is global warming. Global warming is a colossal problem to the United States and the world that threatens the very existence of humankind; further action must be taken by the United States’ government in order to minimize and counteract global warming.
Global warming and climate change will cause health problems for future generations. Climate change and global warming affect everyone. Polar bears are losing their homes due to global warming, and humans are forced to adapt to a continually changing environment. According to John Balbus, he mentioned “With the climate change can cause exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity which are associated with social and demographic factors” (Balbus n.p). Also, increase susceptibility to higher rates of illness caused by climate change and global warming, which it is similar in some cases. Global warming may be a high risk of health consequences also heat-related disease, mental health consequences, and stress. Global warming gives several adverse health effects in both humans and animals.
A meeting discussing global warming and the ongoing climate change (and the impact CO2 emissions have on the growing problem) has been in session in Peru for the past few days. Dozens of world leaders are gathering to discuss possible changes that can be implemented to halt the increase in temperature seen around the globe. However, many prominent scientists have stated that it may be too late for these world leaders to make any significant impacts (Associated). These scientists, and many other people around the world, believe that humans have contributed significantly to global warming, and as a result mankind needs to do whatever it can to combat this ongoing crisis. Nearly 3,500 miles away from Peru, United States Senator James Inhofe is in Washington D.C., representing Oklahoma in the United States Senate. Senator Inhofe is one of the loudest preachers of the belief that global warming is not the dire threat that so many scientists make it out to be. Inhofe has claimed that it is “arrogant for people to believe human beings are able to change what He (God) is doing in the climate” (Tashman). The Senator believes that only God controls the climate and the environment, and to even think that humans are impacting the earth’s climate is misguided (Tashman). These two opposing viewpoints bring with them questions of religion, politics, human responsibility, and ultimately the fate of the planet. On one side, there are those who say that the science is so concrete, and the
Environmental issues are becoming a growing concern for the world as well as for the world's leaders. Pollution, littering and the burning of fossil fuels are all problems that have drastically affected humans over the past few years. Impure drinking water, radiation, less ecological diversity and cancer are a few of such harms that the world has experienced. However, one of the most prominent concerns is the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect, a natural occurrence, is turning deadly with the introduction of humans and carbon emissions and is slowly heating up the world. In future years this could cause catastrophic consequences. Rising global temperatures threatens the very existence of the
The world is warming and we cannot deny it, the longer we deny the larger the problem it will become. Global warming is affecting the world economy, the overall health of the population, and most importantly the environment that surrounds us. Ignoring this problem will not just make it suddenly disappear; the world has to make an effort to stop it while it can still be maintained. Accepting the fact that it is happening is just the first step, the next step is taking action and becoming informed on the issue.
Global warming has become a well conversed topic among scientists and peoples in the world today. There are extremists who do everything possible to stop contributing to the warming, but the average person does little to alleviate the issue and in many cases refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem at all. Dating back to millions of years ago, even before humanity was born, the world has always experienced one form or another of warming; so the warming seen today is not as bizarre as many may think. The prevalent saying that history often repeats itself, is no joke when discussing global warming. As to what is kindling the current warming, that is where a query is imposed. Scientists from around the globe have theorized close to every possible contributor to the warming seen today, and the conclusion that present occurrences of global warming are being evoked by human interference has become evident.