Globalization and Global Warming

archive This memo serves as an in variationative and analytical document discussing orbiculateizations largest threat spheric harding. I will address the following issues What is publicwide warming and how is it creation caused? Who is contributing to its advancement? The threats and consequences of global warming Recommendations we fundament do to decrease global warming orbicular Warming and Its Cause Global warming could withdraw started as early as the 1860s overdue to the Industrial Revolution that began after the Civil War. This was a time of purpose and creation where man made motorcar and machine deviated society.Not only did the machine change society, but it in any case changed the atmospherical gas pedales more specifically, glasshouse gases. greenhouse gases consist of deoxycytidine monophosphate dioxide known to cause the greatest amount of global warming methane gas, ozone, and nitrous oxide. These four greenhouse gases round as a blanket ov er the surface of the earth. As the sun hits the earths surface, the foment is reflected punt towards the sun. The heat is then contained by the greenhouse gas blanket and warms the earth. Without this blanket, we would live in a very cold cosmos.This atmospheric balance the earth provides is currently being tested by man. What happens when we cast out our own greenhouse gases? The blanket thickens and it traps in more heat. This extra heat upon the earths surface is known as global warming. Therefore, global warming can be defined as the effect that change magnitude greenhouse gases have on the earths atmosphere. The addition of greenhouse gases argon the result of two economical factors the burning of fossil fuels for pushing, and de lumberation for industrialization. The first factor contributes to the majority of the xpelled greenhouse gases that is The Burning of Fossil Fuels As globalization spreads and increases manufacturing, it also increases the deposit of polluti ng gases into the atmosphere. One such gas is carbon dioxide. The release of carbonic acid gas is more specifically caused from the burning of oil, coal, and gas. These three subjective fuels, which atomic number 18 used in manufacturing and industrial growth, have constituted well-nigh 75% of human generated carbon dioxide emissions expelled into the atmosphere during the old 20 old age (IPCC WGI). Here is a graph living the increases of carbon dioxideIndicators of the human figure out on the atmosphere during the Industrial era pic (IPCC Chart 1) As you can see, this graph hinderances in the year 2000. Assuming there was an energy increase in the past 6 old age by quick growing nations such as China and India, along with expanded nations reconciled energy use, we can also turn in the carbonic acid gas concentration has go along its vertical climb. De timberation The destruction or clearing (as some companies aptitude put it) of the worlds forests are due in most part to coarse needs and industrialization.Why scientistists agree that this pract glassful is detrimental to the enviroment can be summed up in two shipway 1. trees act like sponges that suck in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen 2. when trees are burned, they release the stored carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, adding to the pollution Hence, the more trees that are burned, the less carbon dioxide gets harbored. According to Greenpeace, thirty percent of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere over the past 150 years is thought to come from deforestation, but this is a small amount compared to what is smooth stored in forests.The Canadian and Russian boreal forests alone hold 40 percent of the worlds carbon stocks (Greenpeace Science). In new(prenominal) areas of the world, carbon stocks are non being contained, but continually released by dint of deforestation. Global Forest Watch, an free-lance oprganization that provides current information on forest devel opment stated In 2002, about 47% of the Brazilian virago was under some lineament of human pressure recent estimates comparing this figure with new entropy from 2005 show that human pressure has increased by 7% (Global forest watch).Not only are we losing the possibility of finding rare tropical plants that could be converted into p scatheaceuticals, but we are also destroying indigenous communities that dot the Amazon rainforest. It is understandable that deforestation is need for civilization, but there are ways we can curb its destruction and conserves the rainforests. Contributors of Global Warming If your path of transportation today did not consist of walking or equitation a bike, chances are, you contributed to the burning of fossil fuels. Americans would not be able to exsert without the use of fossil fuels.We produce them in our cars, our homes, and even in our waste. The merchant ship line is fossil fuels create energy, and we need energy. So, it is not surp rising t hat Americans are responsible for 25% of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, despite having only 5% of the worlds population. (Stix 47) This makes America the largest polluter in the world. It is evident that when a surface area becomes a world leader through Gross Domestic carrefour (gross domestic product), the focus becomes business. The need for business profits by corporations apitalizing on industry have an impact on the environment. Unfortunately, many industries do not expunge into consideration the effects their business has on the environment. Below is a graph comparing three countries the join States, Former Soviet Union, and Japan and their CO2 emissions pic (IPCC Chart 2) In 2005 according to the CIA World Factbook, these same three countries had gross domestic products of $12. 3 trillion, $4 trillion, and $1. 6 trillion respectively (GDP). eyepatch the U. S. has nearly doubled its GDP, you can bet as a developed nation, it has also increased it CO 2 emissions.But, developed countries like the United States and Japan cant be blamed for emitting all the CO2 into the atmosphere due to their industrialization. We must also look at developing countries such as China and Brazil who, while aspiring to increase their standard of living, are also increasing their energy use. As these nations develop and increase their industrialization, they inturn release substantial amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. With the ever-increasing CO2 emissions and deforestation, what does it mean for the stability of our enviroment? The Threats and Consequences of Global Warming?The aforementioned greenhouse gas emissions and the deforestation appendage have been contributing to the global warming crisis. The most recent supporting evidence was reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate control (IPCC) in 2001. Established in 1988 due to temper change curiosity, the IPCC is comp annul of over 2,000 scientists and is regarded as the foremost authority on humour change by the United Nations (Wikipedia IPCC). They concluded, through a 2600 page comprehensive outline of scientific re search, that global warming is in fact caused by CO2 emissions and eforestation. According to the IPCC, the two primary factors of global warming are temperature and sea level. Using the latest research and the current trends in global warming, the IPCC predictions through the end of the 21st century are as follows (IPCC SPM) A rising slope of global temperatures from 2. 5 to 10. 4 F A rise of sea levels from 4 to 3 Rising of Global Temperature The effects of this variable are quite profound. Scientists predict it could increase the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes similar to what happened on the U. S. s Gulf Coast in the fall of 2005.They predict it could also do the same to El Nino which is matte up on the west coast curiously in Southern California. Southern Californias resurrect season begins towards the end of summer, due to the dry climate. In the fall of 2002, San Diego felt the effects of an out-of-control fire. What started as human error, continued for weeks, as brush and forest fires tore through San Diego Country. Its duration and strength was assisted by warm El Nino winds. Since El Nino thrives from available heat, you could say global warming is feeding El Ninos hunger.In 1998 National Geographic had this to say about El Nino El Ninos abnormal effects on the main components of climatesunshine, temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, cloud formation and ocean currentschanged weather patterns across the equatorial Pacific and in turn c tolerate to the globe In the past 98 years there have been 23 El Ninos and 15 La Ninas. Of the centurys ten most powerful El Ninos, fourthe four strongesthave occurred since 1980. (Suplee) Considering it is possible global warming energizes the climate event El Nino, it can also melt glaciers.A widespread draw off of non-polar glaci ers during the 20th century, and a 10% decrease in world vitamin C cover since the 1960s was captured by satellite imagery the shrinking of setback cover and the retreat of glaciers are not expected to slow see during the 21st century (IPCC SPM). Researchers agree that melting glaciers coupled with melting ice sheets, like those covering Antarctica and Greenland, will become significant factors in cause the sea levels to rise. Rising Sea Levels Rising sea levels could devastate coastal tourism spots. This may become a very costly chore for coastal cities.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated a one tush rise along the eastern seaboard by 2050. According to researchers, if this rise were to occur on the west coast, which is more likely than not, California would regress 2-4 feet of beach due to erosion. pic (IPCC Chart 3) The EPA also had this to say about rising sea levels Rising sea level inundates wetlands and other low-lying lands, erodes beaches, intensif ies flooding, and increases the salinity of rivers, bays, and groundwater tables. Some of these effects may be further compounded by other effects of changing climate.Measures that people condense to protect esoteric property from rising sea level may have unseemly effects on the environment and on public uses of beaches and waterways. (EPA) Even though the damage to the U. S. s coastline would be expensive, planet earth has over 4 billion people outside the U. S. that live on a coastal plain. (Greenpeace Going) Rising sea levels could completely demolish low-lying coastal cities around the world New York, Miami, Tokyo, San Diego, and London are a few such cities that could experience rising sea levels first-hand.Poor, undeveloped countries that lack technology, would be the ones to lose entire populations from a force that is beyond their control. What can we do to stop this rising tide? Recommendations to Slow Global Warming Adhere to the Kyoto protocol Increase forestation K yoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol, which began in 1997, has developed an international treaty to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. The overall goal is for countries to lower these emissions to 1990 levels by 2008. For the policies to take effect, 55 countries that accounted for at least 55% of the greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 must ratify the protocol.The founders of the Kyoto Protocol United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC), require countries that have ratified the protocol to elicit energy efficiency methods on the countries largest polluters Tax economic sectors that are the countries largest polluters Research, develop, and put through new forms of energy Promote forestation (UNFCCC) Only a few countries have said no to this protocol. Unfortunately, the United States is one of those countries. As a world leader, we should ratify the Kyoto Protocol and enforce its requirements on our industry.Our government could give impose cuts for companies ut ilizing new technology with a low-carbon output. This technology could be in the form of hydro-electric, wind, or solar power. We could also enforce strict pollution policies to order and limit what can be released into the environment. Other enforcements could be directed at absorbing the CO2 in the atmosphere through forestation. Increase Forestation Forests act as sponges to suck up, or decrease, the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Curtailing the lumber and put down industry in the U. S. is a first step towards increasing forestation.This is especially true of the industries in and around the Amazon. Because rainforests are denser than ordinary forests, they absorb very much more carbon dioxide. Plus, the rainforests trap in precipitation to prevent flooding, and preserve bio-diversity and indigenous cultures. Another, more realistic approach is to plant trees and re-grow the forests. One display case of this approach is happening in China. Due to deforestation, the Chinese government requires those amid the ages of 11 and 60 to plant up to 5 trees per year they occupy to have planted 1 billion trees in the past 20 years. (Wikipedia Deforestation)Conclusion Global warming affects everyone it has no boundaries. It is not intended to directly harm other cultures and peoples, but it inadvertently does through continually disrespect for the environment. This disregard happens when nations become industrialized more specifically from burning fossil fuels and the deforestation process. But, we do have the power of choice. The citizens of the United States should step forward and assume responsibility. It is our duty to contribute to the reduction of global warming by correct our CO2 emissions, and even becoming aware of our paper consumption.With the assist of other developed nations, we should be implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices to deter our current pollution. These technologies might come at a high price. But, in the long run, it could reduce the costs and redress associated with the foreseeable climate change. Works Cited CIA World Factbook. List of countries by GDP (PPP). Wikipedia. 2006. 18 Sept. 2006 EPA. Coastal Zones. Environmental Protection Agency. Jan. 2000. 15 Sept. 2006 Greenpeace. Going, Going, Gone?. Greenpeace.July 2005. 13 Sept. 2006 Greenpeace. Science. Greenpeace. 2006. 14 Sept. 2006 Global Forest Watch. Human Pressure on the Brazilian Amazon Forests. 2006. Global Forest Watch. 17 Sept. 2006 IPCC. Chart 1. Indicators of the human learn on the atmosphere. IPCC. 2001. 16 Sept. 2006 IPCC. Chart 2. Comparison between GDP and CO2 emissions for selected countries. Climate Change 2001 Synthesis Report 5-6. 2001. 16 Sept. 2006 IPCC. Chart 3. ordinal Assessment Report Climate Change 2001. IPCC. 2001. 16 Sept. 2006 IPCC. Climate Change 2001 SPM The Scientific Basis. IPCC. 2001. 16 Sept. 2006 IPCC. Climate Change 2001 Working Group I The Scientific Basis. IPCC. 2001. 16 Sept. 2006 Stix , Gary. A climate Repair Manuel. Scientific American Sept. 2006 47. Suplee, Curt. Unlocking the Climate. National Geographic May 1998. 13 Sept. 2006 UNFCCC. Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC. UNFCCC. 1998. 19 Sept. 2006 Wikipedia. Deforestation. Wikipedia. 2006. 19 Sept. 2006 Wikipedia. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Wikipedia. 2006. 12 Sept. 2006