Text Production -Global Warming #2nd draft

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how they can be arrested?

Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere. It is caused by a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. Indeed, natural green house effect is essential to provide warmth to the livings in Earth however since the Industrial Revolution; human activities have caused much emission of gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which makes the atmosphere thicker. Resulting, more Sun’s heat is trapped and thus increases the Earth’s temperature (Woodford, 2006). Global warming issue is something not to be taken lightly as it brings much harm in terms of climate change and the matter should be addressed immediately.

One of the obvious consequences of global warming is the dramatic rise in temperature. The scorching heat increases the melting rate of the glaciers and ice sheets, thus increases the sea level. Example of this phenomenon is the drastic warming of North and South Poles. Ice at North Pole is predicted to disappear completely due to the intense heat during summer by year 2100. When this occurs, places on low lying nation such as Florida, California, or Bangladesh will be completely inundated in seawater (Woodford 2006). Furthermore, the increase in atmosphere temperature warms up the ocean and subsequently causes stronger storms which affect many countries as mentioned by Al Gore in An Inconvenient Truth (2007).

Besides, global warming causes erratic weather changes. According to Riebeek 2007, the earth is likely to experience more intense drought and more intense rain events due to warm temperatures that altered the weather patterns. Al Gore (2007) supported the statement by saying evaporation from the ocean increases the humidity in the sky and when the storm condition triggered the rain, more rainfalls formed. This leads to flood at many countries such as Asia, Mumbai, India and China. At the same time the countries being flooded, the neighbouring countries experiencing severe drought. Lake Chad, one of the largest lakes in the world dried up due to the severe drought.

In addition, global warming altered the natural ecosystem. Drastic changes in weathers have put animals and plants in jeopardy as they are unable to adjust themselves accordingly to the weather in a short period. For example, parts of coral reefs are killed due to the warming of the ocean (Woodford 2006). Polar bears who depend on the ice, found drown because unable to find ice to take shelter. Moreover, global warming increases the outbreak of vectors for emerging infectious diseases such as SARS and tuberculosis because the temperature is favourable to the vectors said by Al Gore (2007).

To put a stop into all these problems, many actions can be taken. Firstly, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using more efficient electricity appliances or try walking, cycling, take bus instead of using car. (Woodford 2006). Al Gore (2007) in his talk, he suggested to use high mileage vehicles, switching utilities to renewable energy sources and usage of carbon-capture-and-storage technologies will be able to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions as low as the emissions in 1970s. Lastly, all countries should rectify Kyoto Protocol treaty and take own initiatives in reducing carbon dioxide.

In conclusion, global warming issue is something not to be taken lightly because the consequences of it are too high prices for us to pay. Stop the habit of brushing the matter aside or sweeping the matter under the carpet and let it accumulates; it is time for us to open up the carpet and face what is underneath the carpet. We human have the abilities to solve any problems if we put our heart into it. Al Gore (2007) summarized the sentence perfectly by saying ‘the solutions are in our hands, we just have to have the determination to make them happen.’