Library Research Assignment

Author’s Name: Rahn Richard

Title of the article: Global Warming: Relax and Enjoy

This is an opinion article where the author is giving his point of view on the subject of global warming. This article is directed to all researchers on the subject of global warming and all those who are deeply worried about this problem.

The author is looking at the problem of global warming in a positive light. He says that there is nothing much that we can do to prevent the issue of global warming and the release of carbon dioxide. The author claims that, even if we cut down the release of carbon dioxide to the minimum global warming will continue to take place because it is a natural phenomenon that can not be controlled. The advice given to us by the author is that we should not concentrate on global warming rather we should figure out ways of the problem caused at a minimum cost.

According to Rhan (2006), global warming began in the year 1850 before mankind started engaging in activities that cause the release of carbon dioxide in the environment. There have been two cycles of global warming already recorded in history which instead of being destructive, were beneficial. The Roman warming took place between the years of 200 BC to 600 A.D while the medieval warming took place between the years of 900-1300 A.D when farms were created in Iceland and Greenland. Therefore, instead of us thinking of global warming and its negative effects, we should also look in to the positive aspects.

As explored by Rhan (2006) American taxpayers pay about four billion yearly to researchers of global warming as well as government bureaucrats. If global warming was not such a big problem, the money budgeted to curb the issue can be directed to other sectors like health care that are more crucial. The fact that many people want to benefit from the funds allocated to curbing global warming could lead to bias research.

The issue brought about by the author where he says that there is nothing we can do to prevent global warming because it is a natural process is disputable. The fact that global warming is a continuous natural process does not mean that we should sit back and relax not doing anything about it. The effects that will be brought about by global warming when we reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere will be less than when we just sit back and not do anything about the problem (Houghton, 2004).

The author also talks about seeing global warming in a positive light where in the early days, global warming brought about prosperity in Iceland and Greenland. We have to acknowledge that those were the early days when global warming was not such a contentious issue. It is unlike in the modern days of industrialization where a lot of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are released in the atmosphere. The effects of global warming are much more adverse like the raising of sea level due to melting of glaciers which will endanger those living close to the coastline. This will also lead to the loss of revenue that is brought about by tourism Gore (2006).

Conclusively, the author of this article portrays global warming as a natural phenomenon which will take place with or without the intervention of ways to curb the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Global warming has brought some positive impacts in the past and so according to the Rhan; it should be seen in a positive light instead of us always looking for ways to curb global warming. American taxpayers pay billions of dollars yearly towards the research and the prevention of global warming. This article disagrees with my opinion as well as the opinion of many because I believe it is not right for us to just sit, relax and do nothing about the problem at hand.

References

Rahn, R. (2006). “Global Warming: Relax and Enjoy.” The Brussels Journal. November 17, 2006.

Houghton, J. (2004). Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. New York: Cambridge University Press. Print.

Gore, A. (2006). An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming. New York: Rodale. Print.