FREE ESSAY ON GLOBAL WARMING

GLOBAL WARMING

Meghan McDonald McDonald 1
Mr.Hrkal
OAC World Issues
December 18th, 2000
Global Warming
Now, for the first time in Earth's history, humans may be a decisive factor in future
climate change. The actions we make towards the temperature of the earth and the
depletion of the ozone layer are irreversible. A warmer future could result from
present-day human activities releasing large amounts of heat-trapping gases into the air.
These greenhouse gases are part of the reason for the 1?F (.5?C) rise in global average
temperature documented over the past 100 years. If the Earth's temperature continues to
rise as predicted, future global warming could happen faster than any climate change of
the last 10,000 years. If so, future variations in local climate could be even more
disruptive than those of the past. Fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide when
burned, are used to generate electricity; heat and light homes and workplaces; power
factories and run cars. Unless we reduce population growth and use of fossil fuels, the
level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double by sometime in the middle of the
next century. The future of Earth's climate may depend partly on the buildup of
heat-trapping gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, in the
atmosphere. Industrialized nations now release the most carbon dioxide. But how can this
world wide disaster be stopped? To fully understand the magnitude of this problem, we
must look at the causes 
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of global warming, what is being done to stop the problem, consequences of this issue,
and how we can prevent it.
What is Global Warming?
The depletion of the ozone layer and global warming are a result of the heat trapping
abilities of "greenhouse gases". The glass panels of a greenhouse and the Earth's
atmosphere are both transparent to sunlight, and both trap heat. Energy from the sun
drives the earth's weather and climate, and heats the earth's surface; in turn, the earth
radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases trap some of the outgoing
energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Thus creating the
greenhouse effect. At present, the Earth appears to be facing a rapid warming, which most
scientists believe results, at least in part, from human activities. The chief cause of
this warming is thought to be the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural
gas, which releases into the atmosphere carbon dioxide and other substances known as
greenhouse gases. As the atmosphere becomes richer in these gases, it becomes a better
insulator, retaining more of the heat provided to the planet by the Sun. Through years of
abuse and neglect, the situation continues to worsen. Some may feel that Global warming
is inevitable, and that the climate will change no matter what. This is partly true.
Climate does change all the time, but it changes slowly. We are doing it at enormous
speeds, 60 times faster than normal.
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Greenhouse Gases
All life on Earth relies on the greenhouse effect, without it, the planet would be colder
by about 33-Celsius degrees, and ice would cover Earth from pole to pole. However, a
growing excess of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere threatens to head in the other
direction, toward continual warming. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas
followed by methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide flows into the atmosphere from many
natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions; the respiration of animals, which breathe
in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide; and the burning or decay of organic matter, such as
plants. Humans escalate the amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere when they
burn fossil fuels, solid wastes, and wood products to heat buildings, drive vehicles, and
generate electricity. At the same time, the number of trees available to absorb carbon
dioxide through photosynthesis has been greatly reduced by deforestation, the long-term
destruction of forests by indiscriminate cutting of trees for lumber or to clear land for
agricultural activities. Methane is an even more effective insulator, trapping over 21
times more heat than does the same amount of carbon dioxide. Methane is emitted during
the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane also comes from
rotting organic waste in landfills, and it is released from certain animals, especially
cows, as a byproduct of digestion. Nitrous oxide is a powerful insulating gas released
primarily by burning fossil fuels and by plowing farm soils. Nitrous oxide traps over 270
times more heat than does the same amount of carbon dioxide. Since the beginning of the
industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly
30%, methane concentrations have more than 
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doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have
enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth's atmosphere
This chart shows how much warming could be caused by each of the gases that human
activities release. Carbon dioxide accounts for three fourths of the predicted increase
in the greenhouse effect.
History of Global Warming
This graph shows changes in global temperature since 1880, when reliable temperature
records became available worldwide. Each vertical bar represents the global average
temperature for that year. The curved line shows the overall trend. The global average
temperature has risen nearly 1?F since 1880.
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During the industrial revolution we began to slowly alter our climate and environment by
changing agricultural practices and industrial practices. These new practices have causes
a change in the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the build-up of
"greenhouse gases". Due to the exponential growth of the world's population and the fact
that nation economies and the use of technology are also growing, the global temperature
is expected to continue to increase by an additional 1.0 to 3.5 degrees Celsius by the
year 2100. This seemingly subtle change in the global temperature could prove to have
catastrophic results. We're altering the environment far faster than we can possibly
predict the consequences. This is bound to lead to some surprises.Dr. Stephen Schneider,
National Center for Atmospheric Research. The earth's temperature would rise on it's own,
but that takes thousands of years, were doing it in a century. Nobody can really predict
what may happen.
What is Being Done?
The developed countries are all working to reduce greenhouse emissions. Several European
countries impose heavy taxes on energy usage, designed partly to curb such emissions.
Norway taxes industries according to the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. In The
Netherlands, government and industry have negotiated agreements aimed at increasing
energy efficiency, promoting alternative energy sources, and cutting down greenhouse gas
output. In the United States, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection
Agency, product manufacturers, local utilities, and retailers have collaborated to
implement the Energy Star program. This voluntary program rates appliances for energy use
and gives some money back to consumers who buy efficient 
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machines. The Canadian government has established the Fleet-Wise program to cut carbon
dioxide emissions from federal vehicles by reducing the number of vehicles it owns and by
training drivers to use them more efficiently. By 2004, 75 percent of Canadian federal
vehicles are to run on alternative fuels, such as methanol and ethanol.
Many local governments are also working against greenhouse emissions by conserving energy
in buildings, modernizing their vehicles, and advising the public. Individuals, too, can
take steps. The same choices that reduce other kinds of pollution work against global
warming. Every time a consumer buys an energy-efficient appliance; adds insulation to a
house; recycles paper, metal, and glass; chooses to live near work; or commutes by public
transportation, he or she is fighting global warming.
Kyoto Protocol
As this issue becomes more prevalent, pressure has been put on international leaders to
face this problem and come up with a valid solution. International cooperation is
required for the successful reduction of greenhouse gases. In 1992 at the Earth Summit in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 150 countries pledged to confront the problem of greenhouse gases
and agreed to meet again to translate these good intentions into a binding treaty.
In 1997 in Japan, 160 nations drafted a much stronger agreement known as the Kyoto
Protocol. This treaty, which has not yet been implemented, calls for the 38
industrialized countries that now release the most greenhouse gases to cut their
emissions to levels 5 percent below those of 1990. This reduction is to be achieved no
later than 2012. The United States voluntarily accepted a more ambitious target,
promising to reduce emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels; the European Union, which
had wanted 
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a much tougher treaty, committed to 8 percent; and Japan, to 6 percent. The remaining 122
nations, mostly developing nations, were not asked to commit to a reduction in gas
emissions. Most developing nations fear this will pause their development,
The Kyoto Protocol will not be binding until nations accounting for 55 percent of 1990
greenhouse gas emissions have ratified it. To date, only three small island nations:
Fiji, Tuvalu, and Trinidad and Tobago, have actually ratified the treaty. Most countries
are waiting for ratification by the United States, at present the source of one-fifth of
greenhouse gas emissions. The Congress of the United States has so far refused
ratification, partly to protest the exemption of developing nations from efforts to
reduce emissions.
Some critics find the Kyoto Protocol too weak. Even if it were enforced immediately, it
would only slightly slow the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Much stronger
action would be required later, particularly because the developing nations exempted from
the Kyoto rules are expected to produce half the world's greenhouse gases by 2035. The
most influential opponents of the protocol, however, find it too strong.
Opposition to the treaty in the United States is spurred by the oil industry, the coal
industry, and other enterprises that manufacture or depend on fossil fuels. These
opponents claim that the economic costs to carry out the Kyoto Protocol could be as much
as $300 billion, due mainly to higher energy prices. Proponents of the Kyoto sanctions
believe the costs will prove more modest $88 billion or less much of which will 
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be recovered as Americans save money after switching to more efficient appliances,
vehicles, and industrial processes.
We are all generally guilty of contributing to the effects of Global Warming: In the
United States, approximately 6.6 tons (almost 15,000 pounds) of green house gases are
emitted per person every year. And emissions per person have increased about 3.4% between
1990 and 1997. Most of these emissions, about 82%, are from burning fossil fuels to
generate electricity and power our cars. However there are many things you yourself can
do to reduce the emissions of fossil fuels, and in turn prevent global warming. For
example, things as simple as: car pooling, keeping your vehicle well-maintained, using
energy efficient appliances, etc... Also investing in a new hybrid vehicle is without a
doubt a smart decision for the environment. The first hybrid available in Canada is the
"Honda Insight" This car is powered with a combination of furl and electricity, and will
be capable of driving approximately 70 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. We, as an
entire race, need to become more aware of the future repercussions of our seemingly
harmless daily activities and choices. This will ensure a safe, temperate future for
generations to come.