Global Warming:Causes, Effects, and Solution
Global Warming:Causes, Effects, and Solution
Solutions to Global Warming
The world already feels the impacts of global warming. If the climate change continues unregulated, the impacts will get worse (Dauncey, 2009). Sea level rises, disease outbreaks, extreme weather, and heat waves are some of the impacts that indicate the nature and the seriousness of the effects of global warming (Jackobson, 2008). These challenges are unique and require a different approach of management. The countries that experience the hardest challenges are the developing countries. They are vulnerable and poor, hence, cannot respond appropriately. The developed countries must take the leadership role and provide technical assistance and financial grants. There are areas that provide opportunities for solutions to global change.
1. Improving Energy Efficiency.
The energy, which powers, cools, or heats our homes, industries, and businesses, is a single leading contributor to global warming (Held & Soden, 2006). Using energy efficient technologies enables to utilize less energy and attain the same or higher level of production, comfort, and service. This approach is easy to deploy and saves energy and money. 85% of the global electricity comes from combustion of fossil fuels, which produces an equivalent of 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. This represents 21% of the total global carbon dioxide emissions and a3% of the cause of global warming. The solution, therefore, is to use energy efficient sources of energy, and energy conservation by use of energy efficient appliances.
2. Greening Transportation.
Carbon emission from the transportation sector is highly increasing than in any other sector that uses energy. Solutions that are viable to this sector includes switching to low carbon fuels, reducing travel distances through efficient mass transportation systems, and improving the general efficiency in the various modes of transport as reflected by miles per gallon of fuel.
3. Adopting Renewable Energy Sources.
Solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy are alternative sources of energy available throughout the world (Held & Soden, 2006). Energy research information indicates that these sources of energy have the potential to meet energy needs. These technologies are cost-effective, reduce pollution, create jobs, and are easy and fast to deploy. Global warming is as a result of the release into the atmosphere of greenhouse gases, fossil-fuel and bio-fuel soot particles, and the urban heat island effect. Addressing global warming is urgent and requires as much as 80% reduction in the prevailing emissions of green house gases and the bio-fuel and fossil-fuel soot particles (Jackobson, 2008).
4. Managing Forests and Agriculture.
Deforestation of tropical forests and emissions from agriculture combined represents 30 percent of the global emissions that trap heat. Reducing emissions from deforestation and agricultural practices fights global warming and makes food production sustainable.
5. Sustainable Development.
The developing and developed countries have a varying level of contribution to carbon emissions, responsibilities, and the capacity to confront climatic challenges (Miller-Rushing & Primack, 2008). In order to ensure a collective effort by all countries, wealthy countries should provide financial assistance to the poor countries. The countries should move along together in the transition to low carbon technologies.
6. Nuclear Power.
Nuclear energy results in negligible contribution to global warming emission (Jackobson, 2008). Therefore, increasing the proportion of use of nuclear energy reduces the progress of global warming. However, it has a serious potential threat to security as historical accidents in nuclear plants illustrate. The barriers that need to be addressed are in the form of cost, waste disposal, proliferation, and safety.
7. Research in Low- or Zero- Carbon Technologies.
There is a need for investment in research into the development of the future low-carbon technologies. The current areas of research such as battery technology, harnessing energy form bacteria and algae, new materials for solar cells, and other innovative areas may provide the potential source of breakthroughs for the future.
In conclusion, global warming and air pollution constitute the greatest harm to human and animal health and threatens political stability. Global warming enhances disease, heat stress, and ocean acidity, severe tropical storms, rising sea levels, and melting of sea ice, snow pack, and glaciers (Jackobson, 2008). In addition, it alters the location of viable agriculture, changes the timing and magnitude of water supply, and harms animal habitats and ecosystems. In order to address global warming, efficiency in energy use is fundamental. Therefore, this requires adoption of efficient energy sources in place of conventional energy sources characterized by high levels of carbon emissions. Alternative sources of energy include wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, and solar energy.
References
Dauncey, G. (2009). ‘The Climate Change: 101 Solutions to Global Warming”. British Columbia, Victoria: New Society Publishers.
Held, I. & Soden, B. (2006). “Robust Responses of the Hydrological Cycle to Global Warming”. Journal of Climate, 19: 5686-5699.
Jackobson, M. (2008). “Review of solutions to global warming, air pollution, and energy security”. Energy & Environmental Science, 2: 148-173.
Miller-Rushing, A. & Primack, R. (2008). “Global Warming and Flowering Times in Thoreau’s Concord: A Community Perspective”. Ecology, 89: 332-341.
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