Global Warming

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Global warming

Global warming is the increase of temperature on the Earth’s surface. It occurs when greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, entrap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which raises the temperature. The greenhouse effect occurs when heat from the sun accumulates in atmosphere but it cannot get out. Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing the world today. It has several effects that include destruction of forests and submerging of low land islands. In order to safeguard the health and economic welfare of present and future generations, emissions of heat-trapping gases should be reduced appreciably. This can be achieved by using technology and realistic solutions present globally (Pringle, 2003).

There are many causes of global warming. Most of them are related to human activities. Pollution, resulting from the production of electrical power, is one of the main causes of global warming. In many cases, fossils fuels are burnt up to generate electricity. Fossil fuels originate from the tissues of dead plants and animals. Examples of fossil fuels include oil and petroleum. Most of the air pollutants come from the burning of fossil fuels. Some of the pollutants constitute the greenhouse gases. People make use of these sources of energy more often than other energy sources that discharge less pollution. For instance, petroleum, one of the sources of energy, is used much more in transportation sectors, in industries and in making other products. Even though this source of energy releases a lot of pollution, about thirty eight percent of petroleum is used in the US for energy purposes (Maslin, 2007). This increases the rate of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere thus contributing to global warming.

Global warming has effects on many parts of the earth. It leads to sea rise, which results in water covering most of the low land islands. This is a major trouble for many plants, animals and individuals on the islands. The water covers up the plants causing them to die. Consequently, the animals lose a food resource together with their habitation. In addition, when plants and animals die, people lose plants and animal sources of food. Moreover, people may lose their homes. Global warming also causes sea water to become warm and this kills algae in the ocean. Algae are a source food to most of the sea occupants such as fish (Pringle, 2003). Thus, destroying algae leads to lack of food to most sea animals and eventually to people.

Global warming is wiping out most of the large forests on earth. The pollution that contributes to global warming is associated with acid rain. Acid rain steadily destroys everything it comes into contact with. Additionally, global warming is the source of many fires that destroy whole forests. This takes place because global warming makes the earth extremely hot. Some of the plants become dry to an extent of catching on fire. Furthermore, global warming affects human beings by causing diseases. This is as a result of drastic climatic changes that lead to emergence of new diseases.

Global warming can be reduced by planting trees and recycling of used products. Recycling reduces the waste products that are burnt thus reducing the amount the greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. Global warming can also be curbed by people changing their lifestyles. For instance, instead of using personal cars to travel, people should walk, aboard buses or ride bicycles. The government has a duty to play in passing Clean Air Act in order to reduce air pollution. With these regulations, companies are bound to change their products to those that do not release much pollution to the atmosphere. Therefore, global warming, being a phenomenon brought about by human activities, can be reduced greatly by changing the methods of energy production as well as changing lifestyles.

References

Maslin, M. (2007). Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and the Future. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Publishers.

Pringle, L. (2003). Global warming: the threat of Earth’s changing climate. San Diego, CA: ‎ SeaStar Books.