Global
warming refers to the increase in average temperature near the earth's surface
and in its oceans. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with
global warming. However, climate change may encompass other changes in climate
besides increases in temperature.
In the past
century the average air temperature near the earth's surface has increased by
around 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Various models have attempted to predict how
these temperature changes may impact on the future. They variously predict
increases from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Most scientists agree that
temperatures are likely to continue increasing. However, they do not agree
nearly as much when it comes to predicting the magnitude of the increase.
So what
actually causes the increased temperatures?
The earth's
temperature is affected by many factors such as: The earth's orbit -The tilt of
the earth axis as it revolves around the sun influences the amount of sunlight
reaching earth. Therefore changes in the earth's orbit affects its surface temperature.
Changes in intensity of heat emitted by the sun can also affect temperature on
earth.
Volcanic
activity - Lava, ash, dust and hot gases from volcanic eruptions can create
volcanic aerosols which reflect heat away from the earth's surface and result
in cooler temperatures. For instance 1816 is said to have been a year without a
summer - widely believed to have been a result of the eruption of the Tambora
volcano in Indonesia in the previous year. On the other hand, volcanoes also
emit huge quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which tend to have the opposite effect
and could lead to higher temperatures.
The causes
listed above have existed for a very long time. However, since the Industrial
Revolution and especially since 1900 another cause has taken precedence.
Increased use of fossil fuels and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide
have caused massive increases in greenhouse gases. This has led to increased
temperatures through the greenhouse effect.
What is the
greenhouse effect and how does it impact on surface temperature?
The earth
receives heat from the sun. The earth loses heat by reflecting it back into the
atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that trap heat and keep
the earth's surface warm. This is similar to the mechanism that keeps the
inside of a garden greenhouse warmer than the outside. These greenhouse gases
are vital for life on earth. If they did not exist it is likely that earth
would be too cold to sustain life. However, too much of a good thing can have
bad consequences. As a result of our energy intensive lifestyles and the
burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels the levels of greenhouse gases have
been increasing rapidly which magnifies the greenhouse effect and traps more
and more heat close to the earth's surface. Greenhouse gases are primarily
Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone.
What are the
consequences of global warming?
As the earth
becomes hotter all year round the incidence of droughts and wildfires will
increase. There is already evidence of this in effect. Many US cities have
recorded their hottest ever temperatures within the last 3 decades and vast
areas worldwide are drought affected and subject to horrific wildfires.
Warmer water
in the oceans feeds energy into more and more powerful storms and dangerous
hurricanes. The warmer seas also result in melting of glaciers and ice caps
that in turn cause higher sea levels and flooding of coastal communities. Many
small island nations in the Pacific face the prospect of becoming totally
submerged in the very near future. Spread of insect borne diseases such as
malaria- Areas which were previously inhospitable to hosts of these diseases
such as mosquitoes become breeding grounds as temperatures change. This could
lead to the spread of tropical diseases to more temperate areas. Changes in
climate will also push many species of animals and plants to extinction as they
struggle to survive in their changing environments. As with most debates there
are the naysayers, predominant among them is the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists, the only scientific society that rejects the conclusion
that global warming is a threat. However, if the 30 other scientific societies
and academies who support the findings of global warming are to be believed,
the consequences are obviously serious if not downright frightening! So what's
being done to control it?
Governments
around the world have undertaken programs to cut back the level of emissions of
greenhouse gases. For instance in the US the government has a strategy in place
to reduce emissions by 18% over the 10 year period 2002 to 2012. To this end
the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented many initiatives to
encourage the reduction of emissions by various industries and other stakeholders.
However, this is not a responsibility that rests exclusively with government or
regulatory bodies. Every individual contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and
therefore has an obligation to help cut back.
What can an
individual do to help?
The list of
ways to cut back on emissions is probably as long as the many ways that energy
is expended but there are several obvious and relatively easy ways to achieve
improvements:
ü In the US
about half of greenhouse gas emissions come from power plants while about a
third comes from transportation. Any activity that cuts back on power usage or
reduced use of transportation would have a positive impact.
ü Using energy
efficient electrical appliances including compact fluorescent lights instead of
traditional globes would help. In the US energy efficient appliances in more
than 50 categories can be identified by their "Energy Star" rating.
ü Similarly
using more fuel-efficient cars or perhaps even reducing the use of cars and
opting for more "green" transport methods such a bicycles, using
public transport or even walking could help.
ü Using
vehicles that run on renewable fuel sources such as E85 (A fuel containing 85%
Ethanol) or bio-diesel.
ü Ensuring that
tire pressures are at appropriate levels and your vehicles engine is tuned to
manufacturers specifications would also help reduce fuel consumption.
ü Switching to
greener sources of energy. Using solar power directly where the technology
permits. Where there is no option but to use electricity or other traditional
energy sources then it may be possible to make this purchase from a supplier
who uses green, non fossil fuel sources to produce it.
ü Planting
trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the
production of the energy and other products one consumes is another
alternative. It isn't necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are
organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of
concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the
greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then
allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become
"carbon neutral".
ü Other ways of
conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the
energy that would be expended on replacement of the wasted item - Recycle and
reuse whenever possible.
ü Saving on
water consumption - A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for
consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably.
ü Ensuring you
have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned
and primed to work efficiently.
Although
individual actions may seem trivial their cumulative impact worldwide can be
literally life changing. It is clear that much can be done at an individual
level to control global warming. Although they cannot agree on the magnitude of
global warming the overwhelming majority of the scientific community agrees
that it is a very real problem. The time for action is now! The consequences of
doing nothing are just too frightening to comprehend!
About the
Author
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and
editor of besuccessfulnews.com,
a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own
home or small business.
