Global Warming: A Global Issue
Global warming refers to an increase in the Earth’s temperature, which causes an extensive global climate shift. The effects of global warming result in the redistribution of climatic zones that are generally defined by temperature, precipitation, ecosystem, and weather. Climate change has occurred numerous times throughout the Earth’s geological past because of fluctuating amounts of solar radiation, ocean water, and atmosphere circulation. The natural occurrences of climate change are essential to sustaining Earth; but when an aberration enters the Earth’s natural cycle of climate change, severe consequences result. Anthropogenic climate change, or global warming, has occurred significantly over the last 150 years, starting during the industrial revolution and continuing till this day (Freedman, Bill, and Duncan 1). Global warming, a severe problem facing many, can be resolved with the help of governments—around the world—working together to implement sustainable social and economical policies, in addition to reducing green house gas emissions with sustainable fuel sources.
It is a well known fact that global warming exists. However, scientists disagree on the primary cause of global warming; some scientists believe global warming occurs because of greenhouse gas emissions, while others contribute it to the sun’s output of energy (Revkin 2). Regardless of the source of global warming, scientist agree on the current existence of global warming, and the severe effects of global warming are noticeable to many, especially people in developing countries (Network Highlights Implications of Climate Change in Developing World 1). As of now, only developed countries and a select few developing countries are attempting to counteract and reduce the impact global warming. The implementation of social and economic policies that consider and help reduce the possible effects of global warming are necessary. Legislations in places such as California, Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom are already taking vital steps to reduce the severity of global warming. For example, in California, the government requires cars to have smog inspection checkups; cars that release more than a certain amount of smog from their pipelines are banned from the road (Broder 1). Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom are taking similar approaches to reducing the effects of global warming.
The small steps that California’s legislation—and legislations like California—are having big impacts on the world. Although the effects of global warming aren’t noticeable to us all, some of the effects of global warming have already had unfavorable impacts on various societies. For example, scientists have evidence that global warming has contributed to melting glaciers, and melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels. The increase in water levels also contributes to a higher content of salt water, which isn’t sustainable for crops or fish farming (Zelman 1). As a result, developing countries, such as Bangladesh, Mongolia, and certain regions of China, are drastically losing economic productivity (Network Highlights Implications of Climate Change in Developing World 1). The economic downturns in developing countries also significantly impact the interest of developed countries. Since many goods are imported into developed countries from developing countries, the reduction of green house gases, which contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, can economically and environmentally help the global society.
One viable solution for global warming that many researchers believe to be the most realistic approach is the use of ethanol instead of petroleum. Brazil, for example, has taken into action the mass production and distribution of ethanol because it contributes to a closed loop system. In a closed loop system, crops take in carbon dioxide and sunlight for photosynthesis. Those crops, most of which are sugar cane and corn crops, are then converted into ethanol, which is mixed into with a small portion of gasoline. The gasoline mixture is used by cars that reemit carbon dioxide, but the carbon doesn’t stay in the atmosphere for long. The carbon dioxide is again absorbed by the crops, and the loop restarts itself. And thus, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stabilizes and in some cases, reduces to levels lower than before. Furthermore, producing ethanol gas requires less energy than producing the same amount of gas from fossil fuels. In fact, one gallon of ethanol gas produced from corn requires 95 percent, on average, less petroleum than producing one gallon from fuels (Biomass Program: Environmental Benefits 1). With less energy being produced and more energy being recycled, the closed loop system of ethanol fuel is indeed the most beneficial solution for global warming.
For the sake of our generation and generations to come, the problem of global warming should to be resolved immediately. In order to remediate the effects of global warming, government officials need to come together and implement policies that are environmentally friendly as well as sustainable for present and future societies. Moreover, government officials need to place bans or restrictions industries and fuel sources that contribute to pollution. The solution to global warming resides in the hands of the governments around the world acting together.
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