Strategy to Combat the Climate Crisis Introduction Human activities are contributing to global warming by adding large amounts of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. Our fossil fuel use is the main source of these gases. Every time we drive a car, use electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heat our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the air. The second most important addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is related to deforestation, mainly in the tropics, as well as other land-use changes. Global warming and its effects The science behind global warming is often portrayed as enormously complex, but some of it is quite simple. It begins with a ray of light, shot through space from the staggering inferno of our sun. That sunbeam delivers energy to earth, giving us light and warmth and life. As some of this energy radiates back toward space as heat, a portion is absorbed by a delicate balance of heat-trapping (or "greenhouse") gases in the atmosphere that create an insulating layer. The most abundant of the greenhouse gases is water vapor. In addition, there are other powerful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide. Each of these is a natural part of the never-ending cycle of life, death, and decomposition on Earth. But since the onset of the Industrial Revolution humans have been pumping out more and more of these and other greenhouse gases. As a result of the build up of gases, the temperature is beginning to rise. Effects of rising temperature: • Rising sea levels, leading to more coastal erosion, flooding during storms, and permanent inundation • Increased drought and increased incidence of wildfires ... ... middle of paper ... ... climate crisis are possible options. • Minimize our own impact – We can learn about how we can save money and reduce our own contribution to global warming by making climate-friendly choices each day. We have lacked full global leadership and political will to implement these solutions as if our future depended on it. But now we need to insist that businesses and governments all over the world join individuals in taking the steps needed to get the job done. We need to help citizens everywhere understand how the choices they make in their daily lives can make a real difference, and we need to provide incentives for all of us to make better choices. The climate forces we have set loose are great indeed. But the world we build as we move forward to meet this challenge will be a sight to behold. This is our opportunity to come together to make a real difference.
In the article “Counterpoint: Cooling Off” by Dr. Amy Witherbee, a Professor at University of Arkansas, she shares the concerning statistic “Carbon dioxide has increased 30%, methane has increased more than 100%, and nitrous oxide has increased about 15%” (Witherbee). This is concerning because these dangerous gases called greenhouse gases cause many problems and are a hazard to our planet. One of the biggest issues facing the world today is climate change; to address this issue, we must lower greenhouse gas levels and use cleaner energy sources.
Greenhouse gas are a number of gases contributing to global warming which heat up the earth. The greenhouse gas that is emitted are carbon dioxide, methane , nitrous oxide and more. The greenhouse gases absorb infrared rays (heat) emitted from the Sun, which will be kept in the earth’s atmosphere rather that it being reflected away into space which helps the earth’s temperature to remain constant.
It has all become so real so quick. Just a few years ago climate change was taken by people as something preventable, or at least reversible. Today there is no doubt it is a major threat not just to humankind but to the whole planet and every living thing on it. In the article “Stepping into the Vacuum,” Jonathan Ellis collected all the latest events, decisions, and reactions concerning the Trump’s decision not to participate in Paris climate accord. In spite of the choice the president of the US had made on June 1st several States, along with leaders of some big companies, and many americans by themselves decided to support the union of counties in their fight against climate change. THere are 321 million of people in this country, sure we can make a noticeable difference, if everyone of us will follow the simple rules: don’t fly on the plane, be more economic with electricity, use less of “one time use” things
Most climate scientists agree that the main cause of global climate change is the human expansion of the greenhouse effect. This is the global warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space (climate.nasa.gov). The main gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (climate.nasa.gov). Human activities are changing the natural greenhouse effect. The burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (climate.nasa.gov). Carbon dioxide levels have increased from 280 parts per million to 379 parts per million in the last 150 years due to human act...
Greenhouse gasses have a big impact on our atmosphere. These gasses include water vapor, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. Each greenhouse gas molecule has three or more atoms that are loosely held together and that eventually release the heat energy and it is absorbed by another greenhouse molecule. Many people talk about greenhouse gasses as if they are a bad idea, but they are not a bad thing. Without these gasses the earth would be zero degrees on the surface. However, too many greenhouse gasses can cause higher temperatures in the atmosphere, cause oceans to warm beyond what they should be normally and weather that is unpredictable. The same with fossil fuels that produce a variety of emissions that pollute our planet 's air and water. These pollutants threaten the environment and its
Global climate change has been attributed to the accelerated collection and retention in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide and other so-called Green House Gases (GHG), such as methane, some of which are naturally occurring while some are man-made. The side effect of having too much retained GHG in the atmosphere is that the warmth from the sun is retained much longer than it should thus causing an unnecessary rise in temperatures.
For the first time in planet earth’s history, one of its inhabitants has acquired the power to change the global climate. By releasing the huge amounts of carbon stored in fossil fuels over millions of years, mankind has disrupted the natural carbon cycle. We have intensified the natural greenhouse effect and turned it into a planetary menace that is melting our ice caps. In his award-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore (2006) states, “human activities, if unchecked in the next decade, could destroy one of the earth’s principle mechanisms for cooling itself” (p.291). The world needs to address the potentially disastrous consequences of our earth’s rapidly changing climate by acknowledging the existence of global warming and understanding its impact on the present and future generations.
Global Warming, much of what does or does not happen forty years from now rests on our actions or inactions taken between now and then. The crucial question is whether we should pour all our resources into mitigation – reducing our carbon emissions. According to scientists who study the climate there are other environmental problems; “we now face a global crises in land use and agriculture that could undermine the health, security, and sustainability of our civilization”.
Leading to our planets slow demise, global climate change is an important issue that has sparked fascinating research on its causes, as well as its future effects. There has been significant change in weather patterns and climate over the past century. Sea levels are rising, ice caps are shrinking, and extreme unexpected disasters are occurring all over the world at an alarming rate. This means devastating outcomes for the future of planet earth, along with all of earth’s inhabitants. Earth is home to billions of people, as well as countless species. The despondent truth is that humanity is to blame for global climate change.
Every one of us can make his own contribution to make a difference. Steps could be taken at home, at the office, on the road and anywhere else to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas and any risks made to the climate as much as possible. By taking these steps, you would not only be helping the climate but they can also save you money and improve your health, for example decreasing the use of your car for short distances and instead going by foot. One can also take part in any programmes that are offered on a local or state level to support energy efficiency, or take part in clean energy programs or other climate programmes.
...made. Climate change poses a huge for the fulfillment of the future generations. It is on us, our generation to make decisions regarding emissions of greenhouse gases that will not pose a significant risk of serious adverse consequences to the future generation. At a global and national level, climate change responses must focus on long-term sustainable solutions to ensure the well-being and needs of future generations are met. This will mean minimizing the impact of greenhouse gas emission for the future generations. The faster we can control climate change, the less consequences the future generations will have to endure. The future generations should also be given a world that is health, a world that offers a sustainable future and a world that we, ourselves would want to live in. It is for the future generations that we much meet the challenge of climate change.
Dr. Osherson, the National Audubon Society, the town of Ashton Hayes and National Geographic all agree there are these simple solutions that everyone can take to stop climate change, even busy college students. We don’t have to sit around feeling helpless while waiting for Congress to act. Now is the time to act and if we all do our part, even if it’s small, there will be an impact. Together we have the power to stop climate change but it all starts with
The most destructive human contribution to climate change is fossil fuels combustion, which results in the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Increased carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and halocarbons levels in the atmosphere cause an imbalance in the earth’s energy. This is because the gases alter solar radiation and thermal radiation which regulate the earth’s energy. Research indicates that anthropogenic climate change is the cause of the increased global warming over the last fifty years. 57 % of the carbon dioxide emitted is absorbed into the atmosphere while the rest is absorbed into the oceans. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the most central greenhouse gas that is associated with global warming (Eby, Zickfield, Montenegro, Archer, Meissner, & Weaver,
In conclusion, global climate change is a very long discussion with many ways to improve the environment, but a long journey to finding a solution. Although we can 't do away with our main sources like power plants, cars, and factories we must continue to find solutions to making our environment safer and suitable to live in. Hopefully in the near future we will have a better understanding of how to address our global climate changes, but for now, we can focus our ideas on preventative ways to not harm ourselves and our
One of the most substantial problems in the world today is global warming. This gradual warming of the earth is in occurrence at an extremely slow rate but it is happening. Many scientists believe that as human’s work and release greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere, it can become dangerous for the long lasting life of humans and our environment. “Unless we take immediate action, the impacts of global warming will continue to intensify, grow ever more costly and damaging, and increasingly affect the entire planet - including you, your community, and your family” (“Global Warming Impacts”). Everyone should be knowledgeable about global warming and the dangers that it brings to our planet. This essay will examine