Economic impacts of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

Global warming is becoming an international dilemma nowadays. The countries are determined to put a stop to global warming but it requires steps that are not easy to take because of their cost. According to a research, if the current trend of global warming continues, the cost of global warming will be as high as 3.6% of the total GDP. Out of all the impacts, just four will cause enough damage to the economy by taking up 1.8% of the GDP. These four are: hurricanes, real estate, energy and water costs. This will make up a total cost of 1.9 trillion dollars in 2100. So, it is necessary for all the countries to take up some drastic action on national and international level to reduce the financial and environmental shocks that are given to us by global warming. (Ackerman and Stanton, 2008)

Global Warming

The term global warming means an increase in the average temperature of the planet earth. The history of global warming is as old as the ice age. Seven thousand years ago, the ice age ended due to the natural process known as global warming. The increased temperature of the earth caused the ice to melt. This process continued from that day and is still happening today. The temperature of the earth has increased by 1° Fahrenheit in the last 100 years. This might not seem to be a very big increase but it causes problems for many plants and animals who find it difficult to adapt to these changes quickly. Global warming has horrid impacts on the globe and its environment and it is necessary to identify the causes of global warming and to eliminate its causes to have a healthier planet. (www.wildernessclassroom.com, n.d.)

Causes of Global Warming

Scientists have strived hard to obtain the reasons that cause global warming. They carried out a number of tests and scrutinized a variety of variables that cause the climate to change. They eventually found out that the cause of global warming is the emission of greenhouse gases by human beings. Greenhouse gases is the name given to a group of gases which consists of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chloro flouro carbons (CFCs). (Kejriwal, 2010)

Global Warming and Public Health

Global warming comes with a lot of diseases for the people to fight with. In addition to the diseases caused by pollution, a cause of global warming, people are faced with other diseases caused by heat waves. Moreover, the floods and fresh water shortages caused by global warming also increase the amount of viruses and germs in the air. This increased amount of germs make the people ill. (American Lung Association, 2010)

A recent study in California showed that increased temperature has caused many people to get ill. Moreover, increased amount of carbon dioxide and other particles also cause respiration problems. Lung diseases have also become frequent as a result increased particle presence in the air. (American Lung Association, 2010)

Global Warming and Air Quality

Global warming also causes the quality of air to deteriorate. This is because global warming is caused by increased amounts greenhouse gases in the air. These greenhouse gases also make the air harmful and unpleasant to breathe. Global warming also causes the production of ground level ozone which is another harmful substance that is harmful for human beings. (American Lung Association, 2010)

A research carried out by CARB showed that Californians currently breathe in a poor quality of air and if the global warming goes on at the current rate, this quality will continue to deteriorate. Moreover, by 2100, this poor quality air will cover the states Los Angeles and San Joaquin as well. (American Lung Association, 2010)

Global Warming and Wildfires

Hotter, drier weather conditions, created by global warming, cause conditions that trigger wildfires in forests. These wildfires produce smoke that contains particles that cause irritation in the lungs and eyes. This smoke also causes several diseases such as asthma and emphysema. This smoke also poses a threat of getting secondary heart attack to people who have faced a heart attack. (American Lung Association, 2010)

CAT published a report in 2009 in which it mentioned that if the current state of global warming continues, the wildfires are expected to increase by 55% by mid century. It further mentioned that the risk of these fires will increase by 128% by the end of this century. (American Lung Association, 2010)

Global Warming and Sea Levels

In addition to that, global warming cause the melting of ice worldwide especially at poles. This melted ice causes the levels of oceans to increase. The increased ocean level causes floods in different areas. These floods cause massive destruction in the affected regions and the economy of the area is completely destroyed. The economy of the country is also affected badly by such floods. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Many studies have shown an increase in the sea levels in the past century. The number of floods in the coastal areas have also increased significantly. Studies also predict further increase in the sea level in between 7 and 23 inches. This may be dangerous if correct steps are not taken. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Effects of Global Warming on Animals

As mentioned earlier, animals are not capable of adjusting to the increase in temperature quickly. This problem is exacerbated if the animal normally lives in colder climates. It eventually causes the animals to die and their species to get extinct. Global warming has destroyed many animals that needed a colder climate to survive. A researcher found out that the number of Adelie penguins in Antarctica has fallen down form thirty two thousand breeding pairs to eleven thousand breeding pairs in just thirty years. Moreover, many animals have started to migrate to higher cooled areas due to increase in temperatures. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Furthermore, global warming may also push different interdependent species out of sync. A good example of this would be the blooming of flowers before the pollinating insects even get active. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Global Warming and Its Effect on General Weather

Global warming has caused rain and precipitation to increase all over the globe. This has caused the sea level to increase even more. In addition to the increased sea levels, weather extremes may also get intense. This means that the number and intensity of hurricanes and storms will increase. Moreover, these storms may also be followed by droughts. The weather will get extreme and cause problems to the human beings and other living things. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Furthermore, as the glaciers and other ice caps continue to melt, the world will get short on its fresh water reserves. The fresh water reserves are currently reducing as well. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Global Warming and International Economy

The global economy is also getting disturbed as a result of global warming. Firstly, global warming causes the cost of production in many countries to increase and thus the competitive advantage is lost by the whole world. The people get the goods at a higher price due to the increased cost of production. (Kejriwal, 2010)

In addition to that, the poorer countries are affected to a greater extent by the global warming. This is because of the fact that the poorer countries contribute less to the global warming but they have to pay the increased cost as well as they are dependent on the developed countries. Thus the balance is lost and the poor countries suffer. (Ackerman and Stanton, 2008)

The above mentioned effects of global warming require stringent steps to be taken all over the globe to reduce the impact of global warming on human beings and other living things. Careful strategies would be needed to stop the global warming and its dangerous effects.

Solutions to the Problems Created by Global Warming

Despite the fact that the effects of global warming are costly and dangerous, it is still in the hands of the human being to rectify their mistakes and reduce this problem.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Researchers Pacala and Socolow have found out in their research that an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would be to reduce them simultaneously in different regions rather than focusing on a single area. They also suggested different areas where we can focus to get the best possible results from our endeavor. Some of the areas mentioned by them are: energy efficient vehicles and appliances, alternate energy resources and storage of carbon dioxide underground. (Kejriwal, 2010)

They also suggested reforestation as a mean of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They gave immense importance to reforestation as it helps the rehabilitation of other wild animals as well. (Kejriwal, 2010)

Education

Education is considered as the most importance shield against global warming. This is because education keeps people aware of different issues related to global warming. When people will be aware of global warming, its causes and effects, they will try to reduce it by rectifying themselves. They could take simple steps such as switching the light off when not in use or using energy efficient appliances in their homes. Reducing the amount of time that people spend on cars is another important step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and indirectly global warming. (www.wildernessclassroom.com, n.d.)

Protecting and Preparing Against Global Warming

Another approach to annul the effects of global warming is to protect yourself against it. Local governments can identify the areas that are most vulnerable and can detect different diseases that are present in that area. (Knowlton, 2008)

The governments can also avert the calamities brought on them by global warming by making arrangements for the impacts of global warming in new and existing communities. The areas that are the most vulnerable should be given more priority. (Knowlton, 2008)

Moreover, the governments may also prepare health care providers to cater the needs of the people if the calamities brought by global warming get severe. (Knowlton, 2008)

On an individual basis, organizations should take initiative in anti-global warming steps. They should start reforestation on different levels and they may also start activities to make their employees aware of the impacts of global warming. (Mohr, 2005)

Conclusion

Global warming has become a problem nowadays for everyone who is aware of it. This problem started almost 7000 years ago when the ice age ended and is exacerbating since then. The impacts of global warming on the environment of the earth and thus on the people living in it are hazardous. Considering these impacts, we should take appropriate steps to reduce global warming for the good of our planet.