Introduction and explanation of the problem
Global warming is the rise in the usual temperature on earth in the near-surface of air. This global warming is believed to have been caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Cline (p.87) argues that greenhouse gases have been believed to have been responsible for the mid-twentieth century temperature increase. The other natural causes like solar variation and volcanoes have also contributed to global warming. This was concluded by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes. Most studies have shown that global warming will still rise during the twenty-first century. This is due to the un-estimated greenhouse gas emissions.
The outcomes of greenhouse were exposed within 1824 through Joseph Fourier in addition to being examined by Svante Arrhenius during 1896. Greenhouse gases entailed the incorporation, as well as discharge of infrared waves via atmospheric gases, moreover warmed the planet near to the ground atmosphere plus surface. The greenhouse gases are comprised of water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide as well as ozone. Even human activities are also believed to have contributed to global warming. Most human activities have caused temperatures to rise hence causing global warming. Industrial human activities increase the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which leads to rising radioactivity.
Fossil fuel burning is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Deforestation has also increased temperature. The combination of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases has caused the temperature on the earth to rise each day because their emission is also increased. The climate changes experienced in recent years have been due to global warming and increasing emissions by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Variation in solar output has been recommended to have caused climatic changes. Sun is also believed to have caused the increase in global temperature.
The likely solution to global warming
Global warming has been the most challenging problem facing a good number of countries today. It is now known to be a global environmental problem. All countries should work hard to ensure that the health and well-being of the economy are protected now and in the future. Low (p.30) affirms that people should be advised to apply the current technology and other possible solutions available to reduce the gases emitted. By doing so, heat-trapping gases will decrease hence reducing atmospheric temperatures.
Gases such as carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced for us to solve the global warming problem. People should stop reliance on fossil fuels and use other available energy that can be renewed. If people can avoid the use of fossils then the greenhouse gas emission will be reduced. This will lead to a positive effect because it will reduce the atmospheric temperature. People should also look for some other kind of energy that can substitute the use of fossil fuel and satisfy their energy needs.
Quick industrialization has increased the need and use of fossil fuels. Countries should look for other sources of energy such as wind energy, solar energy, Boi, nuclear so as to reduce the use of fossil fuel. This form of energy exists but it is only that most countries have been reluctant to implement their use. If this other energy is put into use, the emission of gases such as carbon and greenhouse gases will be reduced.
Since the emissions of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide cannot be eliminated absolutely, people should look for a possible solution that will be long-lasting and that this solution will help to improve the economy. The problem of gas emission should be handled with much concern because if these gases are not controlled they will keep on increasing (Simms, p.6).
Gas offsetting/mitigation
The United Nations in 1998 proposed a framework that was going to tackle the problem of global warming and environmental-climate changes. This framework is known as the “Kyoto Protocol.” It was aimed at reducing the causes of global warming.
The ‘Kyoto Protocol’ is based on the principle that people must buy a right to pollute the environment. People are required to offset the gases that they emit to the environment. A company that produces carbon dioxide is required to invest in a green project of the same amount as the pollution caused. The same applies to all countries for the amount of carbon dioxide to be controlled. All countries are required to plant green plants equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the same country. The offset principle is believed to be the best solution for reducing climatic change and global warming. This is because it ensures that every carbon dioxide gas that is emitted has an offset and therefore it will be easy to control the level of carbon dioxide. When doing offsetting it does not necessarily require that the project be undertaken in the same country. The project can be undertaken in another country hence offsetting the carbon globally.
Offsetting also enables countries to undertake a project in a place where it is cheaper. This helps in the economic development of the countries because companies continue with their business activity as usual hence economic growth and expansion. Even if a company is emitting carbon dioxide it will be able to carry out its activities as it can invest in a project that will offset the gases. Offsetting projects include reforestation, solar energy, aforestation, wind energy, bio-fuel, and hydro-energy.
Even individuals are encouraged to carry out mitigating measures to reduce the world’s global warming. People are encouraged to plant more trees to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide. They are also advised to use alternative fuels apart from fossil.
However, there is no one way or technology that can mitigate global warming absolutely. Various measures should be implemented to reduce global warming.
Geoengineering
Geoengineering is another alternative for reducing global warming. It involves intentional alteration of the natural environment of the Earth on a big scale to fit human needs. Thomas (p.1221) emphasizes that greenhouse gas remediation can be done to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere it is usually done through gas confiscation techniques. They involve carbon dioxide air capturing. This process helps to the amount of radioactive forcing. Solar radiation management helps to increase global dimming thus reducing global warming.
Adaptation
It involves the planned measures that are aimed at curbing the exposure of natural and human systems against real or anticipated climate changes impact. It also involves the modification of systems to reduce the impact of climate change on these systems. Climate change results in various effects that can affect humans and even the natural environment. Various measures have been put into use for the adaptation of global warming. This includes air conditioning equipment, artificial snowmaking, and other infrastructural projects. This involves the desertion of settlement areas that are near the sea. People can also be involved in agricultural projects such as water conservation projects.
The adaption of the global seems to be inevitable because greenhouse gases are most likely to go up each day. Adaptation can help to reduce the undesirable effect of climate change if put into use. Though this measure usually involves a large amount of money and it requires the use of the current technology, infrastructures, access to resources, and education.
Regenerative organic farming
Regenerative organic farming helps to transform agriculture into the global solution to global warming. This is by encouraging farmer to change the method of farming that lead to global warming (Hastenrath, p.489). Farmers should be involved in crops that are environmentally friendly to help reduce global warming. This will also help to reduce food shortage and reducing the increasing amount of carbon dioxide.
Conclusion
Global warming is a worldwide problem. The atmospheric temperatures are on the increase day in day out. It affects almost all countries due to the use of fossils which results in greenhouse gases and the emission of carbon dioxide. Global warming if not controlled can lead to adverse effects. It thus requires that all countries work together to reduce the number of gases emitted into the atmosphere. People should be involved in tree planting which will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
They should also reduce the use of fossils and look for other sources of energy such as wind energy, solar, biogas, and hydro-energy. Most of the global warming has been attributed to human activities. Most activities by humans are the ones that have contributed to global warming which involves the use of fossil fuel. If the amount of greenhouse gases is left to increase there will be a rise in the atmospheric temperatures hence increased adverse effects. But if the emissions are reduced and kept under control it will help reduce the risk of adverse effects of global warming. Simms (p.8) stresses that tree planting and agricultural activities will play a major role in mitigating the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and also reduce greenhouse gas imitations. Tree planting can also be achieved by using the offsetting principle. The principle will involve companies to plants trees. Fuel prices can be increased so as to discourage people from using fossil fuels and reduce the amount of fuel used.
References
Appel, Adrianne. Global Warming May Dry Up Africa’s Rivers, Study Suggests. National Geographic News 2006.
Cline, William R. Global warming and agriculture: impact estimates by country Washington D.C: Peterson Institute, 2007 pp. 84-98.
Croze, Harvey. Africa for Kids: Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities. Chicago Review Press, 2006.
Hastenrath, Climate dynamics of the tropics. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Dordrecht, 1991 pp 488 -496.
Low, Pak S. Climate Change and Africa. London: Cambridge University Press, 2005 pp 29-50.
Kerr, Richard A. Global Warming: How Urgent Is Climate Change? Science 318 no. 5854 (2007): pp 1230 – 1231.
Ojoo-Massawa, Emily. Understanding and Responding to Climate Change. Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Mineral resources. Web.
Simms, Andrew, et al. Africa: up in smoke? New Economics Foundation, International Institute for Environment and Development. London: Oxfam, 2005 pp 4-10.
Thomas, David S., Knight, Melanie and Wigg, Giles F. S. Remobilization of southern African desert dune systems by twenty-first century global warming. Nature 435 (2005): 1218-1221.