Is Global Warming A Real Problem In Today’s World?

I. Introduction

Is global warming a real problem in today’s world? This is a question that we need to ask ourselves more often because a large degree of the population does not understand that the Earth is gradually transforming into a planet that could become inhabitable if the rate of pollution and its effects continue at this pace. However, it is important to understand that there are solutions to the negative effects of global warming. Putting a stop to deforestation would allow forests to continue supplying us with oxygen, which can contribute to maintaining a healthy and breathable atmosphere for generations to come. Reducing the number of cars on the street in order to avoid the emission of harmful gasses could successfully lessen their environment-threatening influence. Providing people with correct information and increasing awareness about global warming can also help us regain control of our planet’s well-being. Perhaps the greatest hope we have is for renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, hydrogen produced from bio-fuels, and nuclear power, which will decrease the depletion of important finite resources.

II. Define Problem

Global Warming is defined as a general increase in the Earth’s temperature. The reason why this increase in temperature is an issue is because it causes the glaciers to melt in the Arctic. The water levels from the melting glaciers rise, posing a threat of global flooding and a universal rise in extreme temperatures. The most dominant cause behind global warming is pollution by humans, and more specifically, the emission of greenhouse gases such as chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide. These gases are emitted especially from car fumes. Thus, an increase in traffic is considered extremely dangerous for our planet. Other than the usage of cars, aerosol sprays such as spray paints also contain chlorofluorocarbons, which damage our surrounding environment. Deforestation and burning of fossil fuels are the reasons why the greenhouse effect has strengthened itself enough to send harmful radiation onward to the core of the Earth. This heats the core of the planet, causing global warming. Most of the issues in terms of global warming started to occur after the rise of the Industrial Revolution because there was a boost in the use of industrial machinery, thus an increase in smoke and usage of coal and oil.

Recent studies show that polar bears are perhaps the most affected animals due to the rise in temperature caused by global warming. The rising sea levels are decreasing the number of ice chunks in the Arctic, which makes it very difficult for polar bears to hunt. These particular bears depend on seals in terms of their diet and hunt for them when they come to the surface to breathe. Since there is less ice for the polar bears to live on, they have to swim an increased mile to hunt, which uses up most of their energy even if they don’t catch prey by the end of the day.

The average surface temperature of the planet has risen about 2.0 degrees, greenhouse gases being the largest contributor to this change. According to climate change reports, 2016 was the warmest year up till now, with more than eight months of general summer throughout. Since 1969, the oceans have warmed up to 0.302 degrees by absorbing heat directly from the surface. The ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland have shrunk up to 152 cubic kilometers, which has paved the way for an enormous quantity of meltwater. Snow caps and snow covers are disappearing from the mountains, such as the Alps and the Himalayas. The global sea level has risen almost double since the last century, which creates an imminent flooding threat for the entire population of the world. There is a general decrease in low-temperature events, which means that high-temperature events are becoming more common. This also accounts for the unexpected increase in rainfall since the 1950s.

The flora and fauna are also severely affected by global warming as it interferes with the workings of the ecosystem. A sea level rise of just 50 cm could destroy hatching grounds for sea turtles. All of this is even more problematic for species that migrate. Research highlights that due to the effects of global warming, the growth of plants in the future will be stunted. Scientists fear the extinction of a number of species because they would not be able to cope with the change in the climate or the effects of deforestation, with pandas being one of the examples. For humans, breathing and other respiratory problems are common due to the polluted air. Heat strokes and an increase in skin diseases due to extreme sunlight are also prevalent.

The question remains on how human civilization actually managed to create a phenomenon such as global warming, and the answer lies in the human activity of the mid-twentieth century, where industrial and technological advances took over, allowing humans to abuse natural resources such as wood and coal for the sake of profiteering and market development.

III. Solutions

Solution #1 – Reducing Deforestation

Deforestation is a major cause of global warming; thus, reducing the eradication of forests can be one of the top solutions for lessening the harmful effects of greenhouse gases. The best way to do this is to employ a set of laws or rules against the cutting of trees for industrial purposes. Wood from these trees is one of the most highly sought-after resources for top industries, such as paper and furniture markets.

Clearcutting of any forest should be completely banned because it takes an extremely long time for forests to become what they are. Practical solutions or strategies to cut trees should be developed in order to save a number of trees being chopped down at once. It should be noted that it is impossible to stop cutting trees altogether because we depend on wood for a number of essential commodities. However, it can certainly be slowed down or made more efficient in an environment-friendly manner.

There are many lands that are cleared of trees in order to form urban settlements. These particular settlements should be made aware of the negative impacts of deforestation and urged to plant more trees in that same area. Every time any new sets of trees are cut, planting new ones in their places should be made a priority.

By planting more trees and protecting existing forests, the oxygen levels of our atmosphere are being conserved. If the air we breathe has more carbon content, it can lead to a number of respiratory problems for the population. Dense rainforests protect wildlife and can save certain animal species from going extinct. However, the number of new trees planted never matches the number of trees that are being cut, even though new trees and saplings are being planted under several global initiatives every year.

Solution #2 Reducing Emissions

Heat-trapping emissions must be significantly reduced in order to address the issue of global warming. The greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere have very harmful effects in terms of radiation and rising temperatures. In today’s modern times, we have enough resources and technology to develop practical and effective solutions in order to curb the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

On an individual level, we can contribute by using less of our emission-producing cars and choosing to do a few errands on foot, by public transport, carpooling, or by bicycle. This way, there is a chance of fewer cars being used. Other than this, items such as body sprays and spray paint cans also include chlorofluorocarbons, so switching to alternates of these products can contribute as well. We can also invest our time into gardening and planting new trees so that every neighborhood has a good circulation of oxygen.

On a global basis, climate solutions such as increasing the use of renewable energy so that more resources are invested in creating clean energy. This way, the Earth’s finite resources that are being depleted can be sustained for the future. banies and states need to put proper laws and bans on the carbon or other pollutants they are allowed to put into the atmosphere.

However, it is difficult to create the same quantities of renewable energy compared to the actual energy created from fossil fuels. This problem can be overcome by either reducing energy consumption altogether or allocating more resources towards building new renewable energy generators in different parts of the world. Both of these solutions are neither quick nor easy. It would take a long time and a lot of financial investment to set these plans into motion.

Solution #3 Correcting Misinformation

Spreading awareness about important issues such as global warming plays an integral role because it allows people to work towards a united goal rather than be confused about what’s best for the planet that we all live on. There is a possibility that a certain degree of people do not know what global warming and its negative implications are doing to our planet.

The greenhouse effect, for example, is a misinformed analogy because harmful gases such as methane and chlorofluorocarbons do not work in the same way as a proper gardening greenhouse does. Schools and other institutions should hold frequent seminars or activities that can spread awareness in order to reduce the effects of global warming. Major topics to be discussed could be how to minimize deforestation and preserve energy. A number of households have novelty lightings, which in reality are not there for a purpose other than decoration, thus things like these can be cut back on in order to sustain energy. Sustaining energy is very important because it reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, which are depleted as we speak. If we lower the consumption of energy in our general daily life tasks, then the energy sector would not be under as much pressure to produce more.

The film and television industry should contribute towards creating shows or movies that address the imminent threat of rising core temperatures, flooding, animal species extinction, etc. It is true that a lot of people consider climate change threats as nothing more than propaganda by the government in order to distill fear into the people. Many anarchists believe that global warming is a hoax created by the leaders of the world to mold the population in a certain way so that they are easier to control. This is where awareness with proper supporting evidence is needed the most.

IV. Recommended Course of Action – Renewable Energy Investment

Renewable Energy is the type of energy that is created via sunlight, wind, rain, and waves. The reason why this type of energy is considered to be renewable is because it is naturally replenished over time, making it an infinite resource. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are finite resources because they are not being replenished. Hydroelectric power (HEP) is one of the best ways of generating electricity through fast-flowing rivers. It is a way of storing energy and converting it to electricity, depending on the usage. Tidal waves in the ocean can also generate energy because one wave is powerful enough to turn a small turbine. If small turbines are assembled at sea level, small amounts of energy can be stored in the turbines through each wave. Another important aspect of renewable energy is geothermal energy, which is used to pump water towards the hot core of the Earth so that it can be naturally converted into steam. Solar panels on the other hand utilize the radiation that is given off by the sun, once the panel has been installed, warm water doesn’t remain an issue. Replacing fossil fuel with biofuel can save a lot of finite resources and consume waste from wheat and sugar.

However, hydroelectric dams and tidal barrages are very expensive to build, and a single dam or barrage does not make a significant difference because the amount of energy produced through this natural way is much less. There is also a threat of flooding the area where the dam is built or drying up the one from where the water actually originates. As for geothermal energy, there aren’t many accessible places for humans to actually pump the water toward the warm core. Biofuels require farmers to grow wheat and sugar extensively, which can destroy land and habitat. On the other hand, when the waste from these biofuels is burnt, the carbon actually goes back into the environment.

V. Conclusion

There is no doubt that global warming is a very real issue, as we can clearly see the changes in our own environment. If human activities continue this way, the next few decades will be worse. It is important to consider that the decisions we make right now will affect our future generations more than they will affect us. Climate change is not as rapid as we would like it to be; even if we start implementing all possible solutions today, it will take a number of years to stabilize the Earth.

It is imperative that we as individuals start accepting the responsibility that we have in terms of protecting our environment. The state should dedicate maximum resources towards renewable energy so that fossil fuels can be sustained for generations to come.