The climate is always changing, whether human activities exhibit an influence or not. As science and technology led to new means of energy in the 18th century, humans began to use the energy produced from the burning of coal, gas, and oil to manufacture goods and carry out every-day tasks. Human influence on the climate increased to levels never before possible. These natural resources took millions of years to form from carbon stored under earth’s surface. As humans extract millions of years worth of carbon stored as fossil fuels in the earth and burn them, heat-trapping gasses are transferred from the earth’s crust into our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major contributor to warming the climate and suitably receives the most attention on the subject.
Fossil-fuels, mainly petroleum and coal are the most important energy source used today. According to the World Book, “petroleum furnishes about 40 percent of the commercial energy used in the world and about 40 percent of that used in the United States” (277). This addiction to fossil-fuels has dramatically harmed humanity during its efforts to build and progress. Bill Grant claims that, “global average temperatures have been rising more than 1 degree per decade since 1980, and 11 out of 12 years from 1995 to 2006 ranked among the warmest years since 1850” (19). This warming not only affects conditions for humans, but also wildlife (Grant 19). Many fish and wildlife habitats have been threatened by global warming. Many organisms have very specific niches that their habitat depends on, and once their habitat is altered they suffer (Grant 21). If the global water and climate temperatures rise, then the animals will be forced to hastily adapt, or else biodiversity will diminish. No matter how fossil-fuels are used, they will always emit harmful pollutants that affect every aspect of life.
From the time humans evolved on earth until around 200 years ago, the atmosphere contained levels of carbon dioxide around 275 parts per million. As a result of burning fossil fuels and transferring massive amounts carbon stored in the earth into the atmosphere in such a relatively short amount of time, the atmosphere now contains 385-390 parts per million (increase of 42%). If humans desire to preserve conditions of the planet to which life has adapted, the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere must decrease. Current scientific data suggests that the optimal amount of carbon that would remove us from the danger zone is 350 parts per million. The faster we take action to lower this dangerous concentration of carbon dioxide the easier it will be to reach the goal of 350 parts per million (CO2).
If global warming is not stopped now, then the weather patterns will also be drastically altered. There may be many more severe hurricanes. A small increase in global temperature will increase the amount of heat and humidity in the air which in turn creates thunder storms. Hurricanes will increase in severity and frequency because of warming ocean temperatures. “For example, a 1 degree temperature increase could shut down the rain forests that then releases lots of carbon that causes another temperature increase that melts the permafrost that releases lots more greenhouse gas causing another temperature spike which warms the oceans enough to release their enormous deposits of methane that warm the ocean further to turn it acidic and release sulfuric acid that kills all aerobic life on earth” (Dr. Bruce Hull). Sounds pretty scary huh? This is why we must take action now and prevent climate change if we wish to preserve a climate to which we have evolved.
Our Position/Solution:
Our team argues that action must be taken to prevent climate chaos. To make this happen a major shift in our energy sources must occur. Adaptation alone is like treating the symptoms (eventually more systems will fail); however, prevention eliminates the problem at the source. If we decide to continually adjust or fix problems with limited energy resources, then more systems will eventually fail. A way to help force a change to renewable energy that doesn’t release heat-trapping gases would be to implement a carbon cap system. This would put a limit on the amount of carbon that is allowed to be released into the atmosphere based on scientifically calculated safe-limits.
There is always a tremendous solution to a horrible problem, and with this disastrous world changing event there is a solution. This solution consists of an abundant amount of alternative renewable energy sources. The more diverse our energy sources, the more resilient and flexible we will become. Some sources are more well-known such as: solar power, water power, and wind power. However, there are many other renewable energy sources that can be attributes to a cleaner atmosphere on earth, such as: geothermal energy, biomass, fuel cells, nuclear energy, ocean tides, and many more (Renewable Energy Sources: A Consumer’s Guide and Renewable Energy Sources in the United States). Whether the source is well-known or not, renewable energy is the obvious solution.
All of the solutions suggested thus far have addressed preventing the addition of CO2 to the atmosphere. Since the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is already above the ideal safe-limit, another means of decreasing the concentration must occur utilizing biomass. Via the process of photosynthesis through biomass the earth sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and eventually transports it back into the earth. Carbon is an ingredient in the photosynthesis reaction: plants take in CO2 and H2O along with light energy to produce CH2O and O2. To prevent present CO2 levels from staying too high since they already over the limit, forest biomass should be conserved and possibly increased to utilize the excess CO2. The potential is exists for a significant increase in biomass growth due to the high concentrations of CO2. Green spaces in urban areas and in close proximity to CO2 releasing industrial plants would be a good way to convert CO2 into biomass before it ever travels far from the source.
The technology and means exists that are capable to prevent climate change due to increased concentrations of heat-trapping gases and their negative effects on the earth’s climate. By utilizing renewable energy such as solar, wind, water, geothermal, fuel cells, ocean currents, humanity can wean itself off of its addiction to fossil fuels. A system of carbon caps is necessary to set enforceable penalties for releasing excess CO2 into the environment. Social and economic resources should be invested in preventing climate chaos to ensure a stable future for generations to come. “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” –Aldo Leopold
Works Cited:
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Cothran, Helen. Energy Alternatives. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002.
“Energy Supply.” World Book. 2004 ed. Chicago: World Book, 2004.
Grant, Bill. “Powerful Solutions.” Outdoor America Fall 2008: 19-23.
“Invasive species may increase with global warming”. October 13, 2005
http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1013-invasive.html#research
Knight, Helen. “Electric Dreams.” New Scientist 10 Nov. 2008. 5 Dec. 2008
Leahy, Stephen. “Global warming may spawn more super Storms.” September 21, 2004 http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0921-01.htm
“Non-Hydroelectric Renewable Energy.” Clean Energy. 28 Dec. 2007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 5 Dec. 2008
Parker, Steve. Fuels For The Future. Austin: Steck-Vaughn, 1998.
“Renewable Energy Sources: A Consumer’s Guide.” Energy Information Administration. 12 Jan. 2005. 5 Dec. 2008
Purdue University. "Global Warming Likely To Increase Stormy Weather, Especially In Certain US Locations." ScienceDaily 5 December 2007. 30 November 2009
“Renewable Energy Sources in the United States.” Nationalatlas.gov. 29 April, 2008. National Atlas of the United Sates. 5 Dec. 2008
Roach John. “Global Warming is rapidly rising sea levels, studies warn” March 23, 2006 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0323_060323_global_warming.html
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