Environmental Issues in Packaging

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Introduction

Global warming is an issue that has triggered varied reactions from the various quarters. It refers to the increase in the average surface temperature of the earth as a result of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap hot air in the atmosphere and prevent it from escaping from the earth, a process that is referred to as the greenhouse effect.

As expected, the problem of global warming has attracted a lot of attention and elicited numerous questions on its various aspects. However, the key question has mainly revolved around its causes. While numerous explanations have been put forward as to the occurrence of global warming, there has been contention as to the role of human beings on the problem.

Thesis statement: Human beings are largely responsible for global warming.

In examining the role that human beings have played in global warming, it is imperative that one examines the causes of global warming. As stated, greenhouse gases are the key causes of global warming. It is worth noting that the key greenhouse gasses are water vapor and carbon dioxide. Of course, human beings do not produce water vapor in significant amounts. The key characteristic that makes these gases have the greenhouse effect is the fact that they both have internal vibrational modes, which have the capacity to absorb, as well as radiate the infrared radiation thereby causing the greenhouse effects (Böhringer et al, 2002). However, carbon dioxide is recognized as the key cause of the greenhouse effect. This is because it remains in the atmosphere for an extremely long time, running to hundreds of years. On the other hand, water vapor is known to evaporate or easily condense in line with the local conditions. The levels of water vapor, therefore, adjust extremely quickly to the existing conditions in which case the balance between the flow of energy from the sun and its subsequent reradiation from the surface of the earth is achieved. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, remains fairly constant in the atmosphere, in which case it becomes the controlling factor instead of a reacting factor. In this case, an increase in Carbon Dioxide means that the balance is achieved at relatively higher temperatures than usual (Houghton, 1997).

The question, in this case, is whether human beings are solely responsible for the increased carbon dioxide. It is worth noting that this carbon dioxide results from both natural and manmade causes. Natural processes that produce carbon dioxide include volcanic eruptions, animals and cosmic rays, as well as solar cycles (Singer & Avery, 2007). However, studies have shown that there are extremely slim chances that cosmic rays and solar cycles account for more than 14 percent of the global warming. In fact, studies show that natural processes account for much less than human causes (Houghton, 1997).

There are various ways in which human beings are responsible for the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

First, commercialization and industrialization have played a key role in increasing amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This is especially when considering that the highest percentage of emissions industrial emissions is composed of carbon dioxide. Research shows that industries account for not less than 20 percent of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Böhringer et al, 2002). This mainly results from the fact that most power plants use natural gas, oil, coal and other fossil fuels, all of which are known to release vast amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide (Böhringer et al, 2002). It is worth noting that global temperatures have increased temperatures since the start of industrialization. This, therefore, underlines the importance of relooking the processes through which energy is produced both in the industries and for homes. Numerous stakeholders have been investing heavily on technologies that involve the emission of low levels of carbon.

On the same note, transportation has been one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide. This is because motor vehicles rely on fuel that is processed from fossil fuels, especially oil. A study conducted in 2006 showed that there was approximately 830 million vehicles in the entire world (Archer, 2007). This number was projected to increase by 16 million vehicles every year. In essence, millions of oil barrels are burn every day so as to fuel these motor vehicles. Moreover, airplanes have been seen to contribute immense amounts of carbon dioxide. In fact, the aviation industry accounts for approximately 3.5 percent of the global carbon dioxide, while industrial and commercial buildings account for not less than 12 percent of the world carbon dioxide emissions (Böhringer et al, 2002).

Third, human beings have been responsible for tremendous deforestation. Simple science explains that forests are responsible for the absorption of vast amounts of carbon dioxide, which they convert into oxygen (Archer, 2007). Unfortunately, human beings have cleared vast sizes of land for settlement and commercial purposes. Studies show that deforestation accounts for between 25 and 30 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide. Presently, 34 million acres of forest are destroyed every year (Archer, 2007). It is worth noting that the destruction is two-pronged. First, there is tremendous burning of the trees, which adds vast amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Second, there is the reduction in the amount or levels of carbon dioxide that the existing forests can clear from the atmosphere.

Of course, there have been arguments that global warming is a natural cycle that occurs once in several centuries. After all, human beings have been responsible for ONLY 30 percent increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (Singer & Avery, 2007). However, this increase is extremely significant even when considering interglacial timescales. In addition, it is noteworthy that the increase in global temperatures has been shown to be directly correlated to increased combustion of fossil fuels, as well as variations or differences in the ratios of carbon isotopes in the carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere (Singer & Avery, 2007). These variations have been found to be consistent with human-caused or anthropogenic emissions.

In conclusion, global warming has been arguably one of the most contentious issues in the recent times. This is especially as far as its causes are concerned. As much as there is agreement that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are the main causes of global warming, there is still contention as to the role of human beings in all these. Many people argue that global warming is a cyclic phenomenon that occurs once in several centuries. However, it is evident that human beings have played a key role in increasing levels or amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This is especially due to their wide usage of fossil fuels in their industries, as well as for transportation. In addition, human beings have been responsible for deforestation of large tracts of land. Trees are known to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen. Deforestation, therefore, increases the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide via the burning of these trees, as well as through decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide that the forests are able to absorb from the atmosphere. In essence, human beings are mainly responsible for global warming.

References

Houghton, J. T. (1997). Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. New York: Cambridge University Press

Böhringer, C, Michael Finus, M & Vogt, C (2002). “Controlling Global Warming: Perspectives from Economics, Game Theory, and Public Choice”. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing

Archer, D. (2007). Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. New York: John Wiley & Sons

Singer, SF & Avery, DT (2007). Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years. New York: Rowman & Littlefield

(Archer, 2007) (Singer & Avery, 2007) (Böhringer et al, 2002) (Houghton, 1997)