Emerging issues of the 21st century-global warming
Scholars have said that temperatures in the last 20 to 30 years have dropped both irregularly and sharply. This has been accredited to increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide has led to an imbalance between the incoming solar (shortwave) radiation and outgoing terrestrial (long wave) radiation, hence causing the temperature changes (Rahmstorf, 2007). The global warming issue is assumed to cause harm to the environment and the inhabitants. However, some scholars have proved that this is not always the case. The only difference according to them is the harm and that the effects are difficult to reverse (Jaworowsky, 2004).
The rise in temperature at the arctic regions does signify doom for the regions that are close to lakes that are connected in some way to these regions. This is because it is said by some scholars that a rise in temperature would lead to the melting of the ice at the arctic leading to water moving into the nearby lakes. This is likely to cause water over flowing into lakes and subsequent flooding of the neighboring lands. The good side to global warming can be looked at by the fact that nature thrives in warmth. In the cold regions, rises in temperature make plants grow and fish harvests have been said to rise. The number of storms for example in the Vistula River in Cracow has decreased significantly according to scholars (Starkel, 2002, pp.25-32)
Whether good or bad, the global warming issue needs to be understood well with regard to the meaning, causes, how the world is dealing with the effects manifested now and what to expect in the future. It is equally important to look at what can be done to tame the menace in order to save the earth. (Cohen Bell, 2007, p.6)
The effects of global warming
To begin with, there has been a rise in temperature all over the world that has led to the El Nino Southern Oscillation cycles and melting of Greenland and the west Antarctic ice sheets. In addition to that there has been a rise of the sea level. This is according to Rahmstorm, (2006), a researcher and writer who has written on the subject of the effect of global warming and the sea level. There has been a shift in the climatic seasons as the different climatic seasons are not as predictable as they used to be. This is according to Webster, (2006). This is evident in Kenya where the short and long rains in most parts of the country are not as predictable as they used to be.
Industrial and commercial activities have led to an increase in the carbon content in the atmosphere leading to a rise of 2 ppmyear, a significant amount of increase considering what was observed years before. This is an abnormality that requires a lot of caution when resolving (Raupach, 2007). Therefore the presence of such a high amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is proof that what the world is experiencing now in state of climatic conditions as a result of global warming. Glickson, (2009), noted that if not controlled, it is possible that the aftermath will be effects that are beyond what human beings can put up with.
The costs associated with global warming have continued to rise the world over. An example of these costs is the insurance costs that have hit the highest ever. This is because now businesses and properties are being insured against natural calamities that cannot be predicted. Governments are incurring extra costs when relocating people who have been displaced from their homes. Economies of countries that are affected by natural calamities for example in Tsunami hit locations need rebuilding, something that does not happen overnight and is not easy (Webster, 2006).
Causes of global warming
The causes of global warming have been a subject of debates. However, it is generally agreed that almost all the credit of causes of global warming can be attributed man. Man is the major cause after making the world mechanical by deploying technology in order to get most of his tasks done fast and with minimal effort. This is through his activities that include industrial manufacturing and transport. This is according to Babiker et al (2003), who have written on the subject crediting the emissions that are released from the industries and the transport sector. It can therefore be looked at as a major contributor towards global warming. However, it is also said that some natural occurrences are also responsible for global warming (Solanki, 2002), aside from the major cause of global warming is that brought my man himself.
Naturally, forests provide cover to the ground hence preventing evaporation of water to the atmosphere. The trees also provide cooler temperatures in the environment where they are found. However, the highest percentage of forest cover in the world today has been reduced significantly. This is because if increasing human populations that create a need for clearing of ground cover for settlement. The problem in this is because even land that had been set aside for forest preservation is also being cleared (Dincer et al , 2000) . This is evident in Kenya where the Mau Forest has been cleared by almost 50 to create space for people who have encroached into it.
The technologies that are in use are partly responsible in causing global warming. This is because they release harmful carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. An example is the transport industry where some of the vehicles used emit a lot of carbon dioxide and other fumes that are not friendly to environmental conservation (Schafer Jacoby, 2003). Governments of countries in the world are given the responsibility of ensuring that the environment is protected at all times. This is the reason why there are ministries that have been created purposely for the preservation of the environment. The irony of this is that some governments do not adhere to the strategies and agreements that have been put in place. An example is the Kyoto Protocol that was signed by different countries of the world in order to try and reduce the carbon emissions to the environment. This is considered the major accelerator of global warming
Tackling global warming
Some world leaders, politicians and civil advocacy groups have come up with ways of addressing with global warming. One of these is cutting down on carbon dioxide and other global warming materials that would lead to global warming (Anderson, 2008). One of the ways that have been suggested by Cohen Belle (2007) through a survey done on the Republicans and Democrats in America that pointed out that the Democrats would want a reduction in the use of nuclear energy, and if it is used, it should be in addition to other measures. The incentive of using the nuclear power should also be of great value. The introduction of carbon tax is also a plausible idea. This tax should be imposed on industries that emit a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a way of ensuring that such industries are discouraged. This would demotivate other business people who might have the intention of involving themselves in industrial activities (Dincer et al 2000).
There is need of introducing global reforestation as a measure of curbing global warming. This will lead to provision of ground cover that is very important in supporting rain (Glickson, 2009). This should be done to semi- arid and drought prone areas. He continues to add that such will also provide employment and hence removing over reliance on industries for employment. Kenya is one African country that has started a reforestation campaign to try and replace a lot of ground cover that has been cleared for human activities like farming.
There should be ways that can help drain the harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere like planting some type of vegetation that can help do that. In addition to that, the soil can be enriched with carbon hence preventing carbon dioxide above ground level. There can be created a machine that is specifically for drawing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Glickson, 2009). Such a machine costs less than the space exploration costs that amount to millions of dollars.
If the government does not have the time to deal with the effects of global warming, some researchers have come to the aid of such governments by suggesting some geo- engineering methods. An example is the causing of volcanic eruptions that will lead to a rise in temperature of especially extremely cold regions like the Polar Regions when experiencing abnormally very cold temperatures (Lenton Vaughan, 2009). This will provide a practical short term solution as the efforts towards finding permanent solutions are being worked on.
The Republicans of the US government feel that there should be an all combining approach of tackling global climate change because all approaches that are possible should be considered. In this approach, the Republicans feel that carbon dioxide should be included as part of the major issues that have to be dealt with. Carbon fuels are the major cause of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and they are the main source of energy that is being utilized. Because of the high carbon dioxide emissions, there is need to replace carbon fuels with fuels or sources of energy that do not have carbon or fuels that release significantly lesser carbon emissions to the environment (Cohen Bell, 2007)
Fuel efficiency should be embraced. This refers to use of fuel that produces a lot of energy as required and where the consumption of the fuel is less per energy produced. Fuel efficiency will include fuel that does not have a lot of waste that is released to the atmosphere. This is according to the Democrats views that were collected by (Cohen Bell, 2007). Automobiles cannot be ignored when looking at fuel efficiency. The manufacturers of the automobiles should ensure that the automobiles that they are manufacturing are capable of complete fuel combustion and that they release minimal exhaust gases to the environment when in use.
Knowledge is an important tool that would help greatly to fight global w arming. This can be implemented at the grass root level where it should be more included in the educational curricula. More forums and public education approaches should be used to educate the public on current environmental issues. The awareness on what is happening in the environment can be useful towards global warming reduction as citizens of a country can influence the laws and policies that are made and implemented in a country. Enlightened people can take personal initiatives directed towards environment preservation like proper water and electricity usage (Babiker et al, 2003).
The existence or non-existence of energy policies and strategies affect the way global warming is addressed in a country and the world at large. The way the energy policies and strategies are affected will determine whether the policies and strategies will be of any benefit at all. The Kyoto protocol is one such strategy that was made when a summit was held to discuss the way global warming can be addressed by the countries of the world. The Kyoto Protocol agreement that was reached, was not signed by all the countries present as some felt threatened economically. One such country is Russia that felt that the economy would sink and would therefore sink deep into poverty (Jaworowski, 2004, p.53). The recent Copenhagen summit was not fruitful either as the developed countries did not want to take the responsibility that that they have towards global warming. This is because the developing countries feel that the developed countries are the largest emitters of carbon dioxide because of heavy industrial activities.
There is need therefore to have good adherence to policies and strategies that ensure that every country is in the fight of ending global warming.
Food and agriculture determine to a major extent the health and well being of citizens of any country. In the recent past, the traditional crops especially in Africa have been replaced with modern modified ones. The drought stricken parts of most parts of Africa languish in hunger and most die because of malnutrition. There is need to go back and re-introduce these crops as the climate will continue to be hostile due to high temperatures caused by global warming. This is according to Dincer et al (2000) who feel the need to look into food and agriculture as a way of tackling global warming.
Water has been an issue especially in developing countries where there is no proper water management system. For example, during dry spells, people in arid and semi arid areas travel very long distances to go and look for water for themselves and their livestock. An example is where the pastoralists have to travel tens of kilometers in order to look for water for their livestock (Glickson ,2009) gives a solution for the dry areas by saying that water channels can be constructed to transport water from food stricken areas to drought stricken areas. This is because the climate has changed in such a way that there is no longer the manageable rain intensity. It is either flooding or equally absent and in long spells.
Proper supervision in industrial undertakings should be enforced. The governments of all countries should ensure that there are internal laws and regulations that define that which is good practice in carbon dioxide reduction in the atmosphere. This will prevent uncalled for practices that are rampant in industrial undertakings. An example of this is the irresponsible waste management from industries, a major contributor to global warming (Dincer et al 2000).
Impediments to tackling global warming
Global warming is a focus of most nations at the moment and will continue to be so for some time to come. This noble cause however is faced with a lot of challenges that make the task a huge one. To begin with, there are some countries that are not supporting some of the efforts aimed at cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions. China and India continue to practice burning of coal the traditional way which releases a lot of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This makes the efforts of other countries of cutting down on carbon emissions futile (Cohen Bell, 2007).
Most countries want to be self reliant when talking about sources of energy that support the running of the activities of such countries. These countries find it hard to give up some of the sources of energy that the rest of the world believes is contributing to greater release of carbon dioxide and hence global warming. America is such a country where the Republicans feel that giving up nuclear power will lead to it being dependent on other countries for energy provision. The Republicans feel that nuclear energy should be embraced since it is the largest source of energy for America (Cohen Bell, 2007).
Countries have not prioritized fighting global warming. This leads to placing more emphasis on issues to deal directly with the country like national security. As a result, more money and resources are directed towards the ventures that such countries feel are important. The Republicans of America feel that the country is more secure if it relies on nuclear energy and therefore does not offer a lot of emphasis on increased spending on alternative fuels (Cohen Bell, 2007).
Projections into the future over the climatic conditions have not been done properly. This makes it hard to deal with the global warming issue difficult as accurate predictions cannot be made (Houghton et al, 2001). There is need to look at all aspects that affect global warming like human activities, Atmospheric Dynamics and Physics, Atmospheric Chemistry, Global Land System, and Ocean Component. Without looking at this when making the climatic predictions when considering global warming, the results are likely to be flawed.
It is generally understood that lack of knowledge can hamper great progress in any undertaking. Most of the citizens in many parts of the country do not have the necessary knowledge on what can be done to preserve the environment. Most of these countries especially the developing ones and which are considered poor do not understand the courses of what the world is going through right now. This therefore shows that the educational curriculums of such countries are lacking environmental education that is adequate from all angles (Dincer et al,2004)
Most countries do not have proper waste management practices. An example of such waste is industrial affluent that is released into the air or rivers if in liquid form. This is directly contributing towards global warming because the materials find their way into the atmosphere where they directly interfere with the normal atmospheric condition. This is why there are abnormal quantities of the gases that make up the atmosphere. The industrial effluents that find their way into the rivers interfere with the composition of the water which then evaporates also cause global warming (Raupach et al., 2007)
The natural environment has activities that happen at their own timing. These activities fight the effort that man is putting towards the fighting of the global warming menace. Natural activities like volcanic eruptions emit some gases that contribute towards global warming (Jaworowski, 2004). The activities of the sun also determine the amount of temperature that is going to heat the surface the earth. Fighting global warming requires that there be put aside some funds that can be used in doing that. Such funds are not available to every country in the world. This is because developing countries do not have the necessary funds that are needed (Dincer et al 2000). Therefore efforts like recovering of forests and relocating people who have encroached forest reserves become hampered.
Fighting globalization is a task that requires time and yet man wants to see results that are fast in order to reverse adverse effects, that are caused by the phenomenon and which are interfering with his life. This calls for reengineering where some scientific innovations can be used to drastically change an effect for example the cold parts of the world that experience very extreme whether conditions. The rapid transition to clean energy that is needed cannot be accessed as intended for all countries because the mechanisms that need to be put in place need to be implemented over time ( Glickson, 2009).
The level of technology in the world is not the same in all the parts of the world. As a result, you will find that the efforts that are put in fighting global warming through new inventions for example in the motor vehicles are almost minimal (Otto Reilly, 2006). A contented country and consequently a contented world will determine the peace and tranquility that prevails. This means when the welfare of the people is considerably taken care of, it is easy for the people of such countries to concentrate on other matters that are not directly on the mind. The welfare that is being talked about includes things like food, access to clean water, availability of affordable and adequate education among other basic requirements. Therefore, this brings focus on African countries that are still struggling with the provision of such amenities to make life comfortable for the citizens. It is therefore difficult for such countries to even think leave alone participate in global warming issues (Dincer et al, 2000).
Conclusion
Global warming is an emerging issue in the 21st that no man on earth can afford to assume and turn a blind eye to. It needs for people to understand what it is and how it is manifested. This is because its effects are severe and affect everything that is on earth. (Dincer et al2000) say that it is the worst tragedy that has ever hit humanity. The same (Dincer et al2000) continues to say that the perspective from which to look at climate change should be first to understand that it is a current event. In addition to that, there should be a networking amongst science and the rest of the disciplines to come up with ways of alleviating and living with the phenomenon. However, it has been shown that not all effects of global warming are adverse to nature.
The fight against global warming is not a smooth sailing one. There are some forces that pull back the efforts that are put into the fight. One of these is the fact that some countries have not prioritized the global fighting issue and therefore making the efforts futile. ( Cohen Bell, 2007).Others include lack of funds and technology coupled with bad leadership of the developing countries that make the focus of the leaders and citizens to be on something else apart from global warming.
The fact that global warming is happening now does not mean that it cannot be controlled or even stopped all together. Some of the recommendations that have been given by different researchers include reforestations, use of alternative fuels, better policies and strategies that govern environmental issues, effective education and training in environmental issues, and proper supervision of industrial undertakings to ensure that activities that are performed in such industries do not side step correct environmental preservation practices.
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