Problem and Solution of Global Warming

Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Higher temperatures threaten dangerous consequences: drought, disease, floods, and lost ecosystems. From sweltering heat to rising seas, global warming's effects have already begun. Many people still believe that since the earth is so big, human beings cannot possibly have any major impact on the way the planet operates. The truth is we have grown so numerous and our technologies have become so powerful that we are now capable of having a significant influence on many parts of the earth's environment (Gore 22). Without the help of the human race, and the listening ears of our politicians, we are going to leave this extreme crisis to the next generation.

Everyone can see the effects of global warming. Hurricane Katrina is the most recent event to hit our nation, and Japan just recently set an all-time record for typhoons. The science textbooks had to be rewritten in 2004 because they used to say, "It's impossible to have hurricanes in the South Atlantic." But that year, for the first time, a hurricane hit Brazil (Gore 84). The most dramatic effect of global warming is the accelerating melting in the Arctic. When the ice melts it raises the sea level, and when it's finished melting, coastal property will eventually be 40 feet under water- leaving over 100 million people homeless. If we continue to see these rates rise and do nothing about it, there will be serious health problems, more extreme weather conditions, billion dollar industries will go bankrupt (skiing and wineries), and it will cause ecological catastrophes.

The history of the problem stems back to the 1960's when global warming was first discovered and tested. It was discovered that the CO2 levels were now increasing more rapidly than every before. Studies show now that the top 10 hottest years on earth have been in the last 14 years, with the hottest being 2005. Also, in the past 650,000 years, the CO2 concentration never went above 300 parts per year. As of now, it's almost reached 400. Scientists predict that 50 years from now, that number will be above 600 (Gore 64).

If we burn less fossil fuels it will reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere. The more CO2 we have, the thicker the ozone layer is and the less heat we let out of our atmosphere. When we reach the levels we were at for the 650,000 years before 1960, Global Warming will discontinue. There is proof and evidence gathered in the data showing our rapid incline of heat and CO2 in the atmosphere. Although there is a complicated explanation of the relationship between temperature and CO2, the less CO2, the lower the temperature.

There are many causes of the increased CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, but one of the most devastating is the heavy carbon dioxide being released from the power plants. Coal from burning the fossil fuels emit tons more CO2 than natural gas and oil. Carbon dioxide emitted from cars is also a huge problem- about 20% of the U.S.'s CO2 emission comes from our cars. There are also dangerous amounts of CO2 coming from trucks, airplanes, and buildings. The lack of trees and deforestation also plays a big role and is responsible for 25% of all CO2 emitted in the atmosphere.

The good thing is that global warming isn't going completely unnoticed. At least 16 cases, drawing on a variety of legal cases, are pending in federal or state court. These cases have to do with legal wars on oil, electric power, auto, and other companies whose emissions are linked to global warming. The best and biggest solution would definitely be for our countries to work together to make laws against letting such high amounts of CO2 enter the atmosphere. There should be very harsh punishments for these companies that emit so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and laws to make them change them. Some say that since Hurricane Katrina's fury was powered by unusually warm Gulf water, and since such warmth could result from global warming, companies that have pumped the atmosphere full of greenhouse gases should be liable for damages (Carey and Woellert 1).

Another solution, and possibly the first step for the world to work together to reduce global warming, is to put energy efficient, renewable energy, and vehicle technology solutions in place at a federal level. California has been the only state to step up to the plate. In August 2006, the California state legislature passed the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act which mandates that the state's greenhouse gas emissions be rolled back to 1990 levels by 2020 (The Vote Heard around the World 1). This first-in-the-nation law puts a cap on gas emissions from power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants. Since the United States currently produces 70 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels and only two percent from renewable resources, it is certain that by converting into more efficient and renewable energy it would significantly reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases.

Solutions for global warming include big changes, but they also include little things people can do everyday. My proposal is to simply get the word out to everyone. Teaching children in school and people at home how to implement steps on helping solve global warming is very important in today's world. One thing everyone can do is simply reduce emissions from your home energy use by using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, insulating your house, conserving hot water, and turning off lights and computers when you're finished with them. It's also important to reduce the number of miles you drive, ride a bike or walk, drive smarter (take the fastest route), think of alternative fuels, or even purchase a hybrid car. Don't litter and always recycle, buy things that last and don't waste paper. As a country, we need to take all these individual steps toward reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. There needs to be more information on how to conserve energy, and why it's so important.

Two examples of other "epidemics" that shows proof that getting the word out will result in positive changes are tobacco and obesity. After cigarette makers started getting sued because of smoking related health-care costs, tobacco companies agreed to fork over more that $300 billion and make big changes in the marketing of cigarettes. The mere threat of obesity lawsuits has sent soft drink and junk food purveyors scrambling to change their products and improve their public image (Carey and Woellert 2). The point is that the ultimate goal of environmentalists isn't necessarily to win cases and have every factory 100% devoted to reducing CO2,