Global Warming: Fact or Fiction

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction

Developing and industrialized countries have had to contend with crowded landfills, polluted waters, and poor air quality. However, the general increase in temperatures and the accompanying climate change have painted some bleak future for humans and other living creatures on the earth's surface. Scientists are unanimous that the rapid rise in earth's temperature is occasioned by human activity (Painter, 2013). The atmosphere contains gases that trap heat from the sun and prevent the heat from escaping into space. This is known as greenhouse effect and the gases that trap the sun rays are called greenhouse gases. Examples of greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases make the earth's surface warm and life on earth bearable.

The significant rise on earth's temperature is because of the greenhouse gases that trap sun rays on the earth's atmosphere. Natural processes on earth like the decay of plant and animal matter produce carbon dioxide create greenhouse gases (Painter, 2013). The carbon dioxide produced is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis a process that keeps the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stable. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation also makes the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to rise significantly because forests that can absorb tons of carbon dioxide are eliminated.

Other than the above mentioned factors, levels of greenhouse gases can also increase as a result of use of certain fertilizers that produce nitrous oxide (Painter, 2013). There are other greenhouse gases that are human creations that have been introduced into the atmosphere. These categories of greenhouse gases are called hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride. These categories of gases are released during aluminum production and electrical transmission. Emphasis will be laid on opposing viewpoints on impacts of global warming (Gale Cengage, 2010).

II. Negative effects of global warming

A. Climate patterns

Global warming has devastating effects on livelihoods of plants and animals. Global warming affects climate patterns. Stronger and frequent hurricanes have been due to warmer oceans. Increases in temperatures have resulted into frequent heat waves in different regions of the earth. There have also been devastating droughts and wildfires. These are all attributed to global warming.

B. Rise in sea level

The rise in air and water temperatures makes ice caps and glaciers to melt hence the rise in sea level. There are fears that this will cause some severe flooding in coastal areas all over the world. Areas that are likely to be severely affected are low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean which will most likely remain inhabitable and the residents declared stateless. In fact, experts estimate that by the year 2100 the seal level will rise by nineteen inches. In June 2011, the Arctic ice cup was the second lowest in the satellite record. This was consistent with the overall downward trend that was synonymous with the past thirty years.

C. Global warming and plants

Global warming has direct impact on plants and this is something that will be passed on to human beings and animals. Because of elevated carbon dioxide levels plants normally produce chemicals that help in breaking down cyanide gas and lower the levels of protein.

D. Global warming and the habitat

Areas that were initially arable will eventually become unarable because they would be too wet or too hot to support agricultural activities. Protracted stints of drought can turn fertile lands into deserts with little or no vegetation. Plants and animals that are dependent on such vegetation will most likely become extinct because of global warming. If the droughts persist there may be resultant loss of biodiversity in planet earth. Ecosystems like the coral reefs and the coastal mangrove swamps can therefore easily disappear. Loss of farmland can cause disruption in the food supply hence the possibility of people suffering from famine.

III. Positive effects

Global warming also has some positive attributes and these include:

A. Increased microbial action in the soil

Warm weather accelerates microbial activities in the soil. This makes plants more productive. Strong winds and hotter temperatures which are associated with global warming speed up the spread of plants, pollen, and seeds. This enhances reproduction and the survival of plants in nature (Groberman, 2011).