Policy Memo Global Warming Essay Research Paper

Policy Memo: Global Warming Essay, Research Paper

Global Warming Is A Serious Issue That Should Have Immediate Attention

As Vice President Al Gore has said about the threat of global warming, it is “the most serious problem our civilization faces” (2). It has become quite an issue internationally because of the threat of increasing greenhouse gasses. It is these gasses, when released into the air, accumulate and then trap the heat inside our atmosphere. Our climate is greatly affected by this. Therefore, affecting all of the organisms on earth, including humans. Usually these gasses should be able to move out into the upper atmosphere, where they are not as harmful. There are three important greenhouse gasses:

. Methane

. Sulfur Dioxide

. Carbon Dioxide

Where Do These Gasses Come From.

. Methane primarily comes from the decay and flatulence of animals and plants. It also arises from biomass burning, landfills, coal mining, and gas drilling (133).

. Sulfur Dioxide is a gas that is emitted by many natural and anthropogenic sources, for example, volcanoes. It changes from sulfuric acid aerosol to acid rain and aerosol cooling in the stratosphere (167).

. Carbon Dioxide is the principal culprit when it comes to gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is the only gas released by human activities that can cause global warming. It can also come from the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gas (123).

There are, of course, many myths relating to global warming, but let there be no mistake about it, it is happening, and it should be dealt with. Global warming is a pollution problem. If we continue to burn oil, coal, and other gasses, carbon dioxide will trap the sun.s heat, changing the natural balance of the climate.

Trends In Rising Temperature

The increase of use of fossil fuels and concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have led to the warming of the Earth, meaning that the average temperature has risen annually. As the temperature of the Earth rises, there will be a great number of changes to the environment. There has been a definite trend in the rising temperature over the century. From 1880 to 1990, the average temperature has risen about 0.5. F or about 2 percent (112). NASA has found that since 1958, the temperature has increased about 0.14. F (12). These changes in temperature have not been absolutely consistent though, there have been gradual increases and decreases. The changes are an average over the years. The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), and international body made up of 2500 of the world.s leading scientists, predicts that “global warming could raise world-wide temperatures as much as 6. F in the next 100 years” (Sierra Club). This rise would be bigger than the records have shown over the past 10,000 years. Scientists are hoping to use these

findings to create a model of what may happen in the future. The hard part is predicting the future in all the complications due to human activity, other life forms, changes in forestry, and the state of water (in all forms). Still, models have been able to help in finding whether or not we are reaching destruction or whether or not a decrease in gas emissions will make a difference.

An Increase In Temperature Will Lead To Major Catastrophes For

Certain Parts Of The World.

. The higher temperatures will generate higher sea levels (13). This is caused by the melting of glaciers, which leads to the expanding of ocean water. There are two specific worries about the rise in sea level. One problem is that coastal cities that live on land only a few meters above sea level risk and have the possibility to be flooded and then submerged. And if this doesn.t happen, then cities who have natural water reservoirs, might have the chance of being mixed with sea water making it undrinkable (125).

. Temperatures will effect those who live in agricultural areas (44). Many people depend on crop-growing as a way of living, and with a change in temperature, it could mean that the regions for growing crops could move north. There will be a major impact not just on crop production, but also world food prices as well. This means a major change in these people.s lives. It.s not even just the people who farm that it effects but the people that depend on the crops for food, and that is everybody! In some areas they may experience an increase in rain, while others may get no rain. These can get even more complicated because some places that get more rain, might not be able to deal with it, while places that need rain might not get any at all.

. There are growing numbers of extinctions. As the Sierra Club said, “The effects of global warming may be measure in extinctions, not degrees”(Sierra Club). The change in temperature has a great effect on the natural habitat of all animals. As it is, many animals and plants have moved to try to escape and cope with the changing climate. Not only does variation in temperature effect homes, it also effects their health. Many animals are found to have been infected with diseases that are related to the change in their environment. And don.t think that humans aren.t effected either. Scientists and physicians from some renowned universities, such as Harvard and John Hopkins Medical School, have said that global warming can cause the in

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