Environmental Isses
Explain the greenhouse effect. What are the most important greenhouse gases?
Like a greenhouse, the earth's atmosphere uses heat from the sun. Certain gases in the earth's atmosphere like water vapors, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane trap the sun's energy. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth's average temperature would be about 60°F colder, making it impossible for human beings to survive ('the Greenhouse Effect," EPA, 2008). However, the greenhouse effect has made the earth artificially warmer, due to the increased use of fossil fuels since the Industrial revolution, deforestation, and the increased consumption and raising of animals that let off methane in their waste (How are extra greenhouse gases produced?" CBBC, 2008).
What calamities do scientists predict may result from global warming? Name at least three possible consequences to human health.
The sea levels will rise because water expands when it is heated, and polar ice will melt, causing costal flooding. Hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms caused by changes in heat and levels of water evaporation will become more common. The increased heat may cause lakes and streams to dry up in drought-plagued areas of the world. Hot areas like deserts will grow hotter, while cool areas will not be able to support animals that need to live in cold temperatures. Thus, natural disasters, thirst, the displacement of species and peoples from their native habitats, homes, and ways of life, are all likely consequences of global warming ("So what could happen?" CBBC, 2008).
Newspaper Article on Global Warming
Michael Pollan, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma, wrote a provocative editorial for the New York Times on April 20, 2008 entitled "Why Bother?" Pollan points out that the sheer magnitude of the problem of global warming often seems overwhelming and the fact that even people who are the most conscientious about changing their lifestyle cannot cause a great dent in the carbon footprint of the developed world. Virtue is derided as self-serving egotism by the Wall Street Journal, and it can be notoriously difficult to calculate the carbon footprint of a particular item of activity vs. its environmentally friendly replacement (Pollan, 2008, p.1). but, Pollan argues: "for us to wait for legislation or technology to solve the problem of how we're living our lives suggests we're not really serious about changing (Pollan, 2008, p.2). Pollan hopes that soon, "Driving an S.U.V. Or eating a 24-ounce steak or illuminating your McMansion like an airport runway at night might come to be regarded as outrages to human conscience. Not having things might become cooler than having them" (Pollan, 2008, p.3). Cooler on a literal as well as a metaphorical level, that is!
What steps can individuals take to reduce greenhouse gases?
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