Global Warming Over the Past

Global Warming

Over the past few decades, scientific research has documented a gradual increase in the global temperatures attributable to increased release of heat trapping natural gases. From the ensuing debates, global warming is an increase in temperatures of the globe Gifford R., 2007.

This has occurred in the past years owing to increased human and natural activities. A consensus has however, not been arrived at as to the side that bears the most claim for realizing the heat trapping gases. This paper address both sides of the arguments presented in debates and discuss any measures human beings can take to stop global warming.

Signs of global warming are everywhere and, we cannot be afforded to ignore or overlook them. The choices humans make in reference to needs and desires affect us and the world alike. The relationship between nature and human behaviors contributing to global warming need ought to be clarified in order to arrive at sustainable levels of coexistence. The current harm done to the environment though irreversible it is curable. The urgent need is to identify those aspects that are within the control of humans and heal the earth preventing any substantial disaster.

Green house effect gases

Green house effect comes about as a result of five core factors namely; Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Chlorofluorocarbons and water vapor. Water vapor occurs as a natural process and, although it has no significant contribution towards global warming it plays a role to increasing global temperatures.

Carbon dioxide is a minor component of the atmosphere but a plays a pivotal role in natural cleansing process. The processes that lead to release of Carbon into the universe is not harmful as far as there are counter measures to reabsorb it. Green house effect occurs when excess release of carbon dioxide gas release exceeds atmosphere's capacity to clean it up. Methane is a hydrocarbon gas naturally produced and also through human activities.

Methane has a severe capacity to bring about the green house effect compared to carbon on a molecular basis. A molecule of Methane has more potential to trap radiated heat than carbon dioxide. Nitrous occurs on the earth's atmosphere following cultivation practices involving the use of industrial fertilizers, growth of nitric acid producing plants and burning fossil fuels. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a synthetic compound produced from industrial process. There are regulations by the international community against its production owing to the destruction it does to the Ozone layer.

Human Causes of Global Warming

Among the factors that have come out as causes of global warming include green house gases brought about by human activities. Green house gases play a pivotal role in the balance of life in the globe once in the atmosphere Diekmann & Preisendurfer P., 1998.

They work to regulate the temperatures in the globe by reabsorbing heat reflected from the surface of the earth and trapping it. The natural process of trapping heat creates a balance on the global atmosphere only when the amount of heat trapped does not exceed the volumes required.

Over the years, human activities have led to the introduction of artificially created gases comprising of Methane and carbon dioxide. The release of these gases over the years has surpassed the globe's acceptable volumes of desired eco-balance. The artificial gases buildup in the atmosphere excessively trapping heat in volumes that prevent thermal radiation from leaving the earth's Atmosphere. The consequences of the increase in heat trapping gases are a significant concern and, a reason why global warming comes about as a result of human activity, as opposed to natural processes.

Other human activities that have increased the presences of Carbon, Nitrogen and Methane gases include burning of fossil fuels in the name of mechanization and inhibiting natural process. Burning fossil fuels increases emission of gasses in the atmosphere and leads to increased levels of global warming. Diekmann & Preisendurfer P., 1998.

The fossil fuels come from organic matter (example coals and oil). The burning of these fossil fuels gives rise to carbon monoxide (CO2), - a green house gas -- that contributes significantly to trapping heat in the atmosphere. Mining activities such as those involving digging out coal and oil give way for methane gas to escape from under the earth surface. Introduction of methane in the earth's atmosphere increase heat trapping gases thus, leading to global warming.