I used this for my 9G GCSE Project. I got full

1. The Global Warming
Debate
Kaushik Srinivasan
9S1/9J
“If all insects on Earth
disappeared, within 50 years
all life on Earth would end. If
all human beings
disappeared from the Earth,
within 50 years all forms of
life would flourish.’
- Biologist Jonas Salk

2. The Global Warming Debate
Global warming is the increase in temperature in near-surface atmosphere. A million years
ago, the average temperature on earth has fluctuated predominantly due to natural
occurrences such as volcanic and tectonic activity, insolation, fluctuating distance between
the Sun and the Earth, etc.,. Also, the Ice Ages changed and lowered the average
temperature for a certain period of time.
The average temperature began to rise significantly after the Industrial Revolution.
Industrialization grew in cities to accommodate personal requirements such as electricity,
transport, clothing, etc. Machines were manufactured to reduce human labour; in turn it
used up fossil fuels and polluted the atmosphere, thus strengthening the Greenhouse Effect.
The Greenhouse effect is a process where the thermal radiation is absorbed and reflected
back to the surface by Greenhouse Gases, thus increasing average temperature. The
amount of Greenhouse Gases is directly proportionate to the average temperature – the
more amounts of Greenhouse Gases, the higher the temperature. The primary Greenhouse
Gases are Nitrous oxide, Methane, Carbon dioxide and Water vapour.
Majority of the Greenhouse gases emitted is due to
human activities. Carbon dioxide is emitted from the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Deforestation is also a significant contributor.
Methane is emitted in agricultural areas – rice fields
and livestock – and also the decay in landfill sites.
Ruminants on grass fields such as cows which have
multiple digesting tracks release huge amounts of methane which also contributes a pinch.
Nitrogen-dependent crops require nitrogen-fertilised soil. The excess amounts are
evaporated into the atmosphere and adds to the greenhouse gases. Water vapour is
extracted from the surface by evaporation. Vapour released by airplanes and soot from
burning also affects the contributions.
Global warming is caused by and causes a chain reaction. Industries which burn fossil fuels
release bulk amounts of Greenhouse gases such as Carbon dioxide and Sulphur dioxide.
These disperse into the atmosphere and elevate the content of Greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. The Sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the atmosphere and directly heat up the
surface. As the surface gets hotter, it releases the heat in infrared wavelengths. Some of
them escape into space, while others are retained due to Greenhouse gases (these particles
have the capability to withstand the infrared rays; making themselves hotter) – the more
greenhouse gas content in the atmosphere, the more heat is reflected back. It eventually
leads to the heating of the Earth’s atmosphere. This causes ice-caps to melt, which
ultimately raises the sea level. Habitat is also lost, which might drive the specific species to
near extinction. All the organisms which are dependent on that specific species for food will
also being to perish, thus causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. Rising of sea level will
cause flooding in low-lying areas (Maldives’ government have begun to save money to buy a
new homeland in case the country disappears into the sea). These floods can destroy
agricultural plains and homes. Food crops destroyed can cause famine to linger in the
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3. region. Economy fails in the region due to lack of export. It also increases the likelihood of
more extreme events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, storm, hail, drought and many others.
Global warming will have a major impact on our future, albeit not all scientists believe in
global warming. Even renowned scientists disregard the fact that global warming is caused
by human activity – they believe in natural causes. Some find fault in the accuracy of reports
and experiments. Nicola Scafetta, a research scientist in the physics department at Duke
University stated in his report, "At least 60% of the warming of the Earth observed since
1970 appears to be induced by natural cycles which are present in the solar system. A
climatic stabilization or cooling until 2030–2040 is forecast by the phenomenological
model."Clearly, his mind set and research is different from others.
Super Storm Sandy, a recent hurricane which blew the east coast of America is an example
of a by-product of global warming. This storm sparked a debate on whose actions was it
caused by – humans or nature? Somemeteorologists believe that Sandy was caused by long
term human activities. They also believe that this storm is just the beginning to various
stronger ones.Carol Werner with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute says climate
change scientists have long predicted that intense storms, droughts, and forest fires would
result from the rising temperatures and sea levels caused by global warming.
Meanwhile those opposing the human-caused disaster such as Patrick Michaels, Cato
Institute said,“It was the moon’s fault. This storm hit at full moon which raises the tide there
a couple of feet, so the storm set a record. If it had occurred any other time in the lunar”
As mentioned earlier, the temperature has risen drastically after the Industrial Revolution
which has been illustrated by the graph below - the graph is a collaboration of different data
from different organizations. It shows that after 1950, there has been a significant increase in
the temperature in all graphs. According to the graph, the average temperature has
increased by 1°C since 1950.
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4. US President G. Bush denied special environmental exemptions for China and India since
they "are emitting increasingly large quantities of greenhouse gases, which have
consequences for the entire global climate".The US and the EU repeatedly chant that China
and India, as the second and fourth largest emitters of greenhouse gases, cannot wash their
hands of responsibilities by claiming differential treatment. But what is out of their picture is
China and India account for more than 30% of the world’s inhabitants. If this was looked
upon on a different perspective – measuring pollutants on a national basis and on a per
capita basis, we would be able to see a difference.
Per capita emission is the unit of comparison, Australia, UK and Chad with much smaller
populations, are far above China and India in pollutant rankings (see table below). From this
perspective, the list is topped by small countries with energy-intensive industries, and the
large developing nations such as India and China look significantly less polluting.
Greenhouse Gas emitters on national basis Greenhouse gas emitters on a per capita
basis (tons of carbon per person per annum)
1. China: 7,216 Metric Tonnes 1. Australia: 19.6 tonnes
2. US: 6,931 Metric Tonnes 2. United States: 17.7 tonnes
3. Brazil: 2,856 Metric Tonnes 3. Russia: 11.2 tonnes
4. Indonesia: 2,046 Metric Tonnes 4. Germany: 9.3 tonnes
5. Russia: 2,028 Metric Tonnes 5. UK: 8.4 tonnes
6. India: 1,870 Metric Tonnes 6. China: 5.8 tonnes
7. Japan: 1,387 Metric Tonnes 7. World average: 4.5 tonnes
8. Germany: 1,005 Metric Tonnes 8. India: 1.4 tonnes
9. Canada: 808 Metric Tonnes 9. Africa average: 1.1 tonnes
10. Mexico: 696 Metric Tonnes 10. Chad: 0.03 tonnes
The Guardian, 21 April 2011
Some people have been looking at the brighter side of global warming. The Arctic Ice has
melted exponentially since the starting of this millennium. This has caused much tension in
environmentalist. Although proves to be a dangerous situation, for
some Scandinavian sailors this has brought a smile on their
faces. Companies have taken advantage of the receding
Arctic sea ice to plan several voyages across the north of
Russia shows that the "northern sea route" can save
even a medium-sized bulk carrier 18 days and 580
tonnes of bunker fuel on a journey between northern
Norway and China. The voyage would normally take
upwards of 40 days. This route will save time, money,
fuel and emission. This could save them £180,000-
300,000 on each voyage, they say.
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5. On 26th October 2012, 100s of scientists from different countries stated that Global Warming
is accelerating. The year 2011 was believed to be the hottest 12 months we have ever lived
in and it showed the 2nd smallest area of ice on record. Pictures now show that Arctic
glaciers are now melting 30 times faster than they were a decade ago. In the past hundred
years, sea levels have risen 10 inches and by 2050 (like picture on the right), it would have
risen another foot. If that is true, parts of low-
lying cities like Miami and New Orleans will be
underwater.
The way these scientist say that these
disasters are man-made is that they have
noticed all the greenhouse gases are on a rise
and they are at its highest point since they
have been keeping record. Scientists also say
that they were not able to detect natural rises. Thus stating that man’s actions is the main
cause of increase in greenhouse gas content.
Experts on global warming have conflicting ideas and thoughts around the causes for the
global warming. There have been numerous articles and research on how to efficiently
reduce carbon emissions and how global warming can affect the future generation. These
articles give the readers multiple perspectives. One such article regarding CO 2 emissions
posted by username ‘Nakor’ on a BBC articlein which he said, “I do have to say though to
those here quoting that 97% of CO2 is natural. That may be the case but that extra 3% of
man-made CO2 might be all that it takes to throw the cycle out of balance. Just like it's that
last pint down the pub that gets you drunk when you forget the fact that you've been drinking
all afternoon.”An another comment in the same article with a different perspective was
posted by ‘Episkopian’ in which he stated, “It is acknowledged by almost all relevant
scientific bodies that the earth is getting warmer but that comes under the heading of
Climate Change. I seriously doubt that man is having any really significant effect on climate.
Until there is universal acceptance that mankind contributes to global warming I will continue
to believe that this view is derived from biased analysis or misinterpreted data.”
Some scientists also say that it might be too late to stop global warming. Greenhouse gases
pumped into the planet's atmosphere will continue to grow even if the industrialized nations
cut their emissions down. At this rate, during the time they use to cut their emissions down,
so much greenhouse gases would be released that it would make it inevitable to stop it in
later stages. While others believe there is still little time to act, and the time is now.
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