Global Warming Research Paper

Environmental Protection Agency all concur that the issue of global warming is a reality. They also agree that it is undoubtedly a result of human activity. Even with this consensus among most scientists and governments, there still are a minority who cast their doubts on the reality of climate change. They argue that the link between human activity and the recent changes in climate is wrong citing that the changes are simply natural variations in the climate and temperature of the earth. They further argue that it is impossible to establish any direct link between the supposed climate change and any weather event such as a hurricane as persons who believe in climate change claim. It is emitted into the atmosphere naturally through respiration and eruptions from volcanoes among other processes.

Burning of fossil fuels, cutting down of trees and transformations in land use also contribute to the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (EPA. com). Methane: this is a hydrocarbon gas produced through decomposition of wastes deposited in landfills, agricultural practices and through such natural sources as ruminant digestion and manure from livestock. Methane is considered as more active than carbon dioxide although its composition in the atmosphere is very little (EPA. Impacts on public health: if nothing is done to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, it is projected that before this century ends, the frequency of heat waves will increase from once in every twenty years or so to as frequent as one every year (Gutowski 82). Heat waves are risky as they often result in deaths.

In 1993, a heat wave of high temperatures of between 930F and 1010F hit Philadelphia and took two weeks. In the period, more than 100 people lost their lives (Mirchandani, McDonald & Foncesa 10). Rise in sea level: global warming results in a rise in sea level by causing the expansion of ocean water as it becomes heated and through the melting of land-based ice. Water scarcity: while water scarcity is a major concern in some parts of the US such as the Southwest, it is projected that with climate change this problem is going to worsen. With water shortages, agricultural production will become costlier and reductions in the amount of land being cultivated will be forced. This will result in the reduced supply of agricultural produce and this will, in turn, increase the cost of living.

Water scarcity will also limit hydropower and cooling systems effectiveness and this will cripple the running of coal, nuclear and gas-operated power producing plants. Impacts on Coastal Communities: there have been steady rises in sea level in the past 5 decades, a trend that is expected to continue with global warming. Impacts on energy: stronger hurricanes and rise in sea level are some of the impacts of global warming. They will result in disruptions on the Gulf Coast which is where most of the nation’s natural gas and production of crude oil occurs and this would consequently result in a disruption in energy production and energy shortages would arise (Kennett n. p. Water shortage as a result of a change in precipitation patterns would cause disruptions in hydroelectric power production and consequently shortages in electricity supply (Bull et al 75).

Climate change would also result in higher demand for energy due to the need for more air conditioning in order to prevent illnesses caused by too much heat. Managing agriculture and forestry: agricultural emissions and deforestation contribute significantly to the production of greenhouse gases. It would, therefore, be important to curb deforestation and plant trees to replace the ones that have already been lost while also embracing sustainable agricultural practices. Phasing out fossil fuel use: fossil fuel combustion such as in the use of coal results in the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and this contributes to climate change. Phasing out fossil fuel use and embracing green energy sources would help to minimize these emissions. Renewable energy sources such as bio-energy, wind, solar water and geothermal would be a great alternative to fossil fuel use.

9% by 2100. In light of this, it would be better to incur costs now in implementing policies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases thereby reducing the rate of climate change than going into the future with uncertainty and ending up spending more on mitigation of the impacts of climate change which, as mentioned earlier, are projected to get worse over time. Conclusion Global warming is a reality. If nothing is done to control the emission of greenhouse gases, the country will incur huge costs from the climate change through such forms as the destruction of property and loss of lives, reduced public health and threats to industries such as agriculture, tourism, and energy production among others. This will render millions of people jobless while also resulting in increased cost of living.

“Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Overview of Greenhouse Gases”. United Nations Environmental Protection Agency EPA, 2018. https://www. epa. gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases Accessed May 17, 2018. org/climate-and energy/US_Costs_of_Inaction. doc Accessed May 18, 2018. Bull, S. R. , D. Climate Change Science Program, 2007. http://downloads. globalchange. gov/usimpacts/pdfs/climateimpacts-report. pdf. A. Patz, S. W. Running, and M. J. M. Melillo, S. C. Moser, and D. J. Gutowski, W. J. , G. C. Hegerl, G. F. Wehner, and F. W. Zweirs. Causes of observed changes in extremes and projections of future changes. Melillo, and T. C. Peterson. Global climate change impacts in the United States. U. http://www. bloomberg. com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aZjgqvrTSgrs&refer=exclusive Accessed May 17, 2018. Mirchandani, H. G. Barron, H. L. Gholz, M.