Solutions to the Global Warming Problem

Running head: GLOBAL WARMING 1 

Global Warming

The continuous rise of the temperature of the atmosphere due to the increase in the level of greenhouse gases such is referred to as the greenhouse effect. These gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Human activities such as the burning of fuels that release carbon dioxide can lead to this problem. Global warming has been enhanced by the increasing rate of industrialization and production. It affects all life forms on earth including pants and animals. Pants are also affected by the effects of global warming. Scientists are trying to come up with various ways to curb this problem though they are facing many challenges. Multiple actions can be taken to control this global problem.

When these greenhouse gases accumulate in the lower atmosphere, they lead to the trapping of heat in the lower atmosphere. This leads to an increase in the temperature of the air. This has a significant effect on animals, land, humans, and plants. Due to these high temperatures, the frozen ground that is found majorly in Asia, Europe, and North America begins to melt due to these high temperatures. This leads to events such as abrupt collapses of the land and landslides (Jacobson, 2012). Through these happenings, microbes that had been buried for an extended period are released. An example of such occurred in 2016 when carcasses were thawed and led to an outbreak of anthrax. This melting of ice results in less amount of heat being reflected into the atmosphere by the ice, thus leading to the absorption of more heat and increased rate of melting of ice such. When the ice melts, it leads to an increase in the levels of the seas and also points to the acidification of the oceans. Research has shown that the level of water in the sea has risen by eight inches since the year 1870.

Due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, this gas is absorbed by the oceans thus increasing the acidity of the oceans. Global warming also leads to hotter summers and winters that are colder than the usual. Scientists have also shown that the number of lightning strikes tends to increase due to an increase in the level of global warming. Global warming has also led to the migration of animals to areas that are at higher altitude. As the animals are migrating, due to the change in the velocity of air, some animals find it a challenge to migrate and end up dying in the process due to the harsh climatic conditions. This leads to the extinction of some species of animals (Spence, 2014). High temperatures lead to the increase of the pathogens that cause diseases which initially were confined in the subtropical and tropical regions. These pathogens lead to the death of various plants and animals that were initially protected from those diseases.

Global warming also leads to the change of the human social life. The agricultural system is crippled by global warming. Even though in some areas the growing season expands, severe droughts are experienced, there is severe weather, the number of pests increases, the tables of groundwater lower and the level of fertile land reduces. All these lead to failures in crops that are planted and the shortage of livestock. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also lead to plants becoming less nutritious (Jacobson, 2012). The drought that is caused due to the high temperature can also lead to the withering of plants which serve as a source of food for many people. This finally leads to loss of food security. Havoc is therefore created in the international markets for food and could result in famines, riots for food, political instability, and worldwide civil unrest.

Animal-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria have been shown to increase due to global warming. Other viruses such as Zika, which had an outbreak in 2016, also grow in the spread. Chronic diseases such as asthma also increase in prevalence due to the harsh climatic conditions and the accumulation of toxic gases in the atmosphere. If global warming is not dealt with, it will eventually lead to the death of animals and plants, oceans and seas will flood, diseases will be spread, and all the ice on the earth's surface will eventually melt.

Various steps have been taken to reduce global warming. Renewable energy sources are being used to reduce the level of carbon dioxide that is released via the burning of fossil fuels. Cleaner energy sources such as wind energy have also been developed. Bodies such as the United States Forest Services have created awareness on the result of deforestation thus led to the reduced deforestation. Various countries have supported policies that have resulted in the decrease in the level of oil that they are using (Spence, 2014). New rules have been put in place by Environment Protection Agencies, which have resulted in a reduction in the amount of carbon that is being emitted from power plants into the atmosphere. Various laws and regulations have been put in place to help reduce the emission of gases into the atmosphere by setting the amount that each industry can release into the atmosphere. Those companies that have gone against that law have been fined, and others have even been closed. Different regions and states in the world have come up with policies that have helped in the curbing of global warming.

Community members have also taken the initiative of planting trees to replace the trees that have been destroyed by global warming since the trees use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen which is also essential to sustain life (Smith & Joffee, 2013). Pricing of carbon emissions has also been put in place. The high prices of the emitted carbon have made people customers think twice before buying goods that lead to the emission of carbon dioxide. Many countries have introduced a carbon pricing system to curb this carbon emission. Social media has been used to enlighten people on global warming and its effects. This has helped in the curbing of global warming. The prices of gases used for cooking at home have been raised.

Companies that have accepted and incorporated the use of green energy pay fewer taxes thus many businesses with an aim to get the same have begun to adopt the green energy slowly. Various countries have put in place National tree planting day to increase the utilization of the carbon dioxide. Nobel peace prizes have also been awarded to some people due to their continued efforts to protect the environment through the planting of trees and encouraging the use of green energy. The carbon dioxide that is being emitted from the fossil fuels is being stored underground to reduce the greenhouse effect. This process is termed as carbon sequestration and has been used in many developed countries.

Though these processes have aided in the reduction of global warming, some barriers have also been encountered. Not all people have access to social media thus some people do not receive such information. Some people work in industries that depend solely on the use of timber for running of their services. The government has found it hard to close such industries since many people will become unemployed. Some leaders are also resistant to change in the quest to increase the income of their country. An example of such is the fact that Australia, regardless of knowing that coal is one of the leading emitters of carbon dioxide, is the leading exporter of coal. The prime minister of India is also well aware of the effects of coal, but the prime minister plans to increase the production of coal in India and also export more from Australia. Lack of funds in some states and region has even posted an obstacle especially in the transformation of renewable energy sources (Smith & Joffee, 2013).

There are solutions to this global warming menace. Emissions must be reduced to solve this problem. The best way of achieving this is by preceding the fossil fuels. This can be accomplished on an individual basis or industrial basis. On a personal basis, people should use renewable energy sources. These include alternatives such as solar power, wind power, and tidal power. People should also learn to use public means of transport often since this will reduce the level of gas that is emitted from the atmosphere. People should even live close to their working areas to reduce the emissions due to the transport system they use. Industries should also channel the emissions to carbon plants or neutralize the gases before they release them into the atmosphere. People should be educated to stop cutting down trees. This is because a lot of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere during this process of harvesting timber. Laws should also be set to prevent people from cutting trees, especially in forested regions (Spence, 2014). Technologically, more paper recycling industries should be put in place to reduce the cutting of trees.

Global warming is a worldwide problem that requires all the countries to come together and deal with it. The communities, states, governments, and regions must use scientific, technological, political and legal ways to curb this menace. The simplest way is by planting trees and using other fuels rather than those that emit carbon dioxide. Heavy penalties and fines should be given to those who are found to be involved in activities that lead to global warming. Despite the steps that have been taken to solve the problem, it continues to be a huge problem. We have to deal with global warming or else the future generations will experience the full impact of it.

References

Jacobson, M. Z. (2012). Air pollution and global warming: History, science, and solutions . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Smith, N., & Joffe, H. (2013). How the public engages with global warming: A social representations approach. Public Understanding of Science , 22 (1), 16-32.

Spence, C. (2014). Global warming: Personal solutions for a healthy planet . New York: St. Martin's Press.