When looking at the problem of global warming, scientists examine the climate of the earth as a whole. The climate of a region is defined as the long-term weather conditions of that specific place. Throughout history, the earth has gone through a number of climate changing events and cycles, even before the increased amounts of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere in the past century. It is estimated that the last ice age ended approximately 10,000 years ago, with minor heating and cooling cycles taking place since then. However, in the late 1980s, scientists began to study in depth about the idea that global warming was occurring because of an increasing concentration in the amount of gases being released into the atmosphere, rather than just being attributed to a natural cycle. They studied the greenhouse effect, which is “the natural process in which certain gases in the atmosphere trap the energy from the sun and keep the surface of the Earth warm; without this process, the average temperature of Earth would be as much as 60°F (16°C) colder.” This process is extremely beneficial to the earth; however, the fact that these greenhouse gases are being emitted into the atmosphere at historical highs is becoming detrimental to the earth’s climate. Throughout history, despite the regular fluctuations in the earth’s temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations have never gone above 300 parts per million (ppm). In the past century, however, increased emissions from the burning of fossil fuels have significantly contributed to this problem. They have greatly increased the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is a primary cause of global warming. In 2009, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was at 387 ppm, a higher concentration than ever before.
Although fluctuation of the earth’s temperature is a natural occurrence, human activity can increase many of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The emission of carbon dioxide takes place when fossil fuels are burned. Nitrous oxide is produced when solid waste is burned, and methane is released through the decomposition of organic waste. All of these things can be proved scientifically, but there are also physical signs on earth that point to the theory of global warming. One of the most dramatic signs of global warming is the melting of glaciers. The scientists from the United Nations Environment Program warned people who depended on glaciers for clean water could very possibly be in danger in the coming years. The report warned that “all tropical glaciers, such as those in the Andes Mountains in South America, were likely to disappear in the next 15 years.”
Seeing as global warming is becoming a large problem in society today, many people are vigorously searching for an answer. One widespread theory is the idea to simply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is a fact that green house gas (GHG) emissions that were released from the first automobiles are still existent in our atmosphere, just as the GHG emissions that are released today will be present for many centuries to come. Some companies have already adopted this approach in their business practices. The power company, Entergy, has partnered with the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association in order to promote direct seeding. Direct seeding is a practice that “enhances soil carbon sequestration and provides a host of other benefits such as improved soil productivity, reduced erosion, and better wildlife habitat.” By making this initiative, Entergy will reduce the emissions of carbon let out into the atmosphere, while also improving the surrounding habitat by creating less runoff in the surrounding waterways. Although this position seems like a logical one, some people continue to argue that global warming is purely a natural occurrence, and that by trying to reduce greenhouse gases, we will only create economic trouble. However, the dramatic increases of carbon dioxide, along with other greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere support the scientific claim that humans are the cause for this dramatic warming of the earth.
Using nuclear energy to combat global warming is another popular idea among scientists. These people argue that innovation and technology have helped defeat many problems in the past, and that by utilizing it in this situation, global warming can be tamed. In today’s society, only 3% of our energy comes from nuclear energy, and this percentage will have to increase dramatically for this idea to help the conflict of global warming in any way. However, the federal government is currently running a campaign in order to increase marketing for these types of products, but only the free market can decide whether or not this campaign will work. Despite this potentially foolproof idea, many argue that the use of nuclear energy to reduce GHG emissions is too risky and dangerous to be commonly used. Also, many argue that this idea is too expensive, and will only hurt the economies of many countries in the long run. If many people invest in this long-term cause, however, the economies of these countries will only benefit, in both short and long term aspects.
The most widely supported idea for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the idea of using renewable resources. One widespread renewable resource is that of wind energy. Wind energy is abundant, inexhaustible, and constantly clean. All of these things contribute to the fact that wind energy is the “fastest growing energy source over the past decade.” While wind energy does not harm the environment in any way, it is also cheap. The current price of wind is four cents/kilowatt-hour – much cheaper than the price of nuclear power. Another major renewable resource is that of solar energy. The use of solar power is much cheaper than traditional electricity, allowing poorer countries to obtain the advantages of electricity more abundantly. The most advanced renewable resource to be introduced is electricity created from hydrogen. Made possible by a device that converts hydrogen to electricity, the fuel cell is created. This fuel cell is more efficient than many other power sources, and only releases water vapor, which doesn’t harm the earth’s atmosphere or climate. By using these renewable resources abundantly in upcoming years, the rate of GHG emissions can be greatly reduced all over the world.
The issue of global warming is one that cannot be solved easily. In order to defeat it, the human race will have to work together and commit itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Although changes in day-to-day life may not be major, they can and will alter the world in years to come. Whether it is the use of nuclear energy, renewable resources, or a general decreasing of GHG emissions in our atmosphere, our planet is in desperate need of our help.
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