2008/04/22

Global Warming: Recent Development




Global warming and Greenhouse effect from the historical perspective

Nowadays, global warming has emerged as one of the favorite topics of heated debates. Every man has endowed this crowd pulling moot line with different interpretations and perspectives. This attitude is necessary when the entire revolution to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide has to take place.

According to historical evidences and research it has been found out around fifteen thousand years ago earth was completely covered wit ice. Though the termination of ice age came nearly seven thousand years ago, many parts of earth still had to suffer harsh and cold climatic strokes from fourteen to late nineteenth century. Due to this reason, even today this period is better signified as the little ice age.

In 1924, Fourier put forward the theory, which dealt with the trapping of solar radiation in the atmosphere of earth, which later caused the warming process. After wards this phenomenon was termed as Green house effect by Arrhenius in the late nineteen century. Even Callender supported the concept of this whole effect in during 1950.

Due to the harrowing effects of global warming taking far reaching platforms, there were numerous researches and attention paid to this subject. The need to devise systematic and methodical steps to control the climatic changes was felt. After a number of discoveries, researches and scrutinizing it was found that the accumulation and increase in the amount of carbon dioxide caused the phenomenon. The United Nations panel On Climate Change further stressed upon the need to curb the menace of global warming with the support from all the nations. In 1997, Kyoto Protocol, which was an international agreement, was held to discuss about this antagonizing threat to earth’s atmosphere. This agreement further made it mandatory for the countries to control their respective emissions of Carbon dioxide. This lead to many acrimonious debates and altercations and only after eight years of wait, this agreement attained its due approval from around one hundred and fourteen countries. In spite of being the largest producer of green house gases, USA and Australia did not root this treaty.

The other countries that had endorsed this treaty slowly and slowly started finding it hard to follow the maintenance and control due to several political pressures and limitations of gas and oil industry. But on the other hand, there are several individual companies, which have materialized this entire concept and in fact reduced the carbon dioxide emission in a commendable way. The targets specified by the Kyoto Protocol are functioning till 2012. To derive further plan of actions a G8 meeting has been already held.

Global Warming: Hybrid Cars




Human activity has alarmingly increased global warming over the period of time. The thinning of artic level long with the melting of glaciers has caused the dramatic rise in sea levels. There has also been a dramatic rise in the number of volcanic eruptions, landslides, droughts, floods and hurricanes. In short global warming has caused a lot of changes in the execution of the functioning of earth’s atmosphere.

In order to face this menace, a lot of judicious steps need to be implemented. The car producers have been asked to chalk out eco friendly designs and devise out ways so that the emission of gases in the atmosphere can be controlled. After all, the contribution of vehicles in green house effects is quite apparent. Countries like USA has uncontrolled gaseous emissions that cannot even be compared with other countries.

Recently an alternative solution to reduce the effects of global warming has been devised. This concept is termed as the hybrids innovative technology. The augmented consumption of gas causes the environmental problems. It is surprising to know that the gasoline that actually weighs around six gallons, weighs twenty gallons when the carbon dioxide in it combines with water after it is burned. If a hybrid car is developed than the amount of green house gases emitted can be controlled dynamically without adding to any grave consequences.

The reason behind choosing the hybrid cars is its technical working though which the fuel emissions can be decreased. It does not use gasoline and rather runs on battery. These cars get automatically switched off when stopped. They basically work on an electric motor that aids the gasoline engine of the car. But the motor restricts the functioning of gasoline through which the fuel emission of the car gets reduced.

These cards also lower down the smog by more than ninety percent when compared to the other cards. Hence the hybrid cars have note worthy innovations when dealing with global warming. They not only limit the emissions of gases but also work on constricted consumption.

With global warming increasing its jeopardising aftermath on such a large scale, the use of hybrid cars may not be a very competent option but in spite of it, if the population adopts it’s functioning a lot can be done. In a nutshell, its contribution in curbing the numerous effects of global warming is satisfactory.

Global Warming: Clean Sources of Energy




With global warming increasing in such a dramatic way every mortal needs to find out ways to curb this menace. One of the judicious ways is the usage of clean energy. Any energy that doesn't contribute to the accumulation of green house gases is known as clean energy. The usage of clean energy in spite of being quite expensive has evolved as a need of time. The partnership formed by Environmental Protection Agency to produce green power through the use of alternative sources of energy is note worthy.

When it comes to renewable energy, wind energy is a useful option. Electrify produced by the spinning wheels is versatile and can be used for many applications. It is on of the fast developing sectors that can be used widely on a large scale. Due to this reason only the number of wind turbines in USA has witnessed a drastic increase in 2000.

The other competent source of energy is solar energy. The electricity harvested by the

Photo voltaic cells can be used for several purposes. It functions by converting the light energy into electricity energy. If this energy is processed judiciously, it can evolve as a treacherous threat for the electrical companies.

Geo thermal energy is one of the hardly known and discussed forms of energy. The heat trapped within the earth surface is converted into steam through proper harvesting channels. Just the way the wind turbine functions, the steam funnelled in form of geothermal energy can be effectively used to rotate the turbines. The generated power can be used for respective processes.

Another significant form of renewable energy is hydropower. The spin produced by the hydropower used in streams and turbines can be harnessed by rotation of the spin turbines, which simultaneously produce electricity. But it is very necessary to use this form of energy in a decisive way since it can harm the aquatic life.

There is an urgent need to switch over to these renewable sources of energy otherwise the global doomsday would be nearer and much more disastrous than anyone could have imagined.

Global Warming: Celebrities Involved




If you keep regular pace with environmental news and updates, your ears must have provided the way for global warming as an issue of concern. The issue is beaten to death on different types of media including print media, electronic media and Internet media. The celebrities across the globe have worn new outfits of concerned environmentalists and have joined hands with other people to smack this issue with severe blows.

The celebrities from the world of glamour are no far behind in this mission. One can see highly acclaimed actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger coming forward to shake the thinking process of common people as well as government officials to take essential steps against the beast of global warming. Leonardo has marked his presence in innumerable events associated with global warming and has also brought a small documentary, titled 11th Hour, into existence.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has climbed new heights as Governor of California, is amongst the pioneers to frame actions against emission of contributory gases adding to global warming. Thus, these actors and others have utilized their persona in bringing new hopes for the environment and society.

If you think that politicians are good for playing power games, consider the appreciable work credited to Mr. Al Gore, the former American vice president. The mission against global warming led by him has brought him returns in the form of joint Noble prize. And he has virtuously won this approbation due to “An Inconvenient Truth", a documentary constructed by him.

The efforts against global warming require some brutal truths to be explored and this is done by Michael Crichton, the person with no need of introduction in the world of writing. In his book compiled in 2002, he has tried to reframe global warming as the illegitimate child of environmentalists, who cry at the peak of their voices for earning organizational benefits.

Thus, these high-profile personalities have managed to centralize the issue of global warming through a number of steps like documentaries, books, action groups and other methodologies. However, there are always some thoughts against the flow of tide. Thus, many people strongly believe that publicity is the main intention behind these celebrity actions. If this fact is to be believed, then one should also consider the attention brought by monumental charisma of these celebrities in gaining high concerns for global warming. There is no better way of endorsing the ill effects of global warming and ultimately devising the techniques to tame this evil.

Global Warming: What Can You Do?




As responsible citizens of this society, we all are answerable to all types of damages made by human activities to this beautiful planet. And, global warming is an issue, which requires special attention from every individual, as every person contributes his or her share to this problem. We add worth to global warming by driving vehicles, setting up industries and even by using light lamps at our home.

It has been estimates that global warming is going to rule this planet in few years ahead. In order to make it impossible, every person will have to play his role in reducing this effect. This awareness is especially required amongst residents of countries like America, which is considered to be greatly responsible for global warming. The research has proved that an average US resident is responsible for addition of 6.6 tons of harmful gases to atmosphere. With the advent of new technologies, this rate is increasing at a fast pace and it is an alarming issue.

You need to modify your ways of living to achieve fruitful results in the direction of reducing global warming effect. You simply need to follow a number of useful guidelines to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases:

  • The label of ENERGY STAR on various appliances ensures that the appliance is dedicated to consume minimum amount of power. Thus, the consumers must be aware of this label while purchasing electronic products like computer, cordless, fax machines, washing machines and related goods.
  • Another appreciated method is by providing insulation at your living place. This method brings down the value of your electricity bill and also, allows you to participate in efforts against global warming.
  • You must opt for energy saving lights for your home as well as workplaces. The fluorescent lamps are great instances of such lights.
  • It is a good idea to use faucets, which privilege low flow in your bathrooms and toilets in order to save substantial amount of water. Moreover, you may diminish the wastage of water by using heavy object behind toilet tanks.
  • You may bring down the level of fuel consumed by your vehicle by searching for a job near your place. In this way, you can reduce the addition of greenhouse gases by more than 1500 pounds every year.
  • If you are in the process of availing a new automobile, always ask for miles-per-galloon value of the vehicle. You must also opt for those vehicles, which are specially designed to consume less fuel.

Global Warming: Polar Bears




Polar bears are amongst the most beautiful animal species on our planet. The population of polar bear in the park, a few miles away from Winnipeg, has risen to more than 1,200. The female bears, giving birth to two or three infants in December, have to head their journey towards Hudson Bay in search of ringed seals. If they fail to reach there on time, this relished food of polar bears, extinct from the scene. However the journey to this ice-covered place is time consuming and in this process a number of cubs are enforced to die.

The mother teaches expert hunting techniques to the surviving cubs. The process is continued for as many as two seasons, spending almost eight months at this place. This is the time period during which a considerable amount of weight is gained by these mammals. These animals require this weight for surviving in summer season. Thus, male bears are expected to gain 1,000 ponds, whereas their female counterparts achieve 600 pounds in this period of time.

Having said all, it is time to introduce the reasons, which have proved to be the potential enemies of this specie. Firstly, these animals are hunted for meat as well as fur. Secondly, human activities have threatened their living by poisoning their world with global warming. It is because of this warming that ice melts before expected in Hudson bay.

This premature melting of ice has restricted the time period for polar bears to attain desired amount of weight on their body. The reason behind this is that due to melting of ice, seals, the only food of these bears disappears from the scene. As the female polar bears require considerable mass for giving birth and feeding their young ones, this scarcity of food adds to their woes. These females are prohibited to regain their weights lost by them during reproduction.

This has led to less amount of fat on adult male bears. Moreover, the mother bears are not able to reproduce healthy cubs and in most cases, the cubs die to lack of feed from thin mothers. Thus, the population of cubs is dropping with every passing year. The increasing mercury in the region also exploits the habitat of these polar bears, which reside in snow dens. This exploitation is not limited to polar bears, as ringed seals are also included in this objectionable issue. Thus, human activities are trying to break the existing food chains in nature.

Global Warming: Arguments Against




If you aim to prove established scientific facts wrong, you need to stand on cemented base for this. If you lack this base, your ideas are just like soap bubbles, which extinct out of the scene with a small blow. The people, who have ideas against global warming, are considered to be possessors of these soap bubbles in large amounts.

These people are also the part of political set up of United States. However, their existence in the politics has been questioned a number of times. One can remember how Philip Cooney, a high-profile campaigner for oil industry, lost his job for tampering a significant report upon climate change. More recently, the well-known oil companies like Exxon Mobil have spent their money illegally to hire viewpoints against the report issued by reputed body of United Nations, that is the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC)

Thus, the industrialists, who have something under their belly as contributor to global warming, are in the constant process to invent arguments against global warming. These industry owners have strong associations with people having political base and thus, have powerful support to popularize these beliefs against global warming. The politicians are more than happy in supporting these industry men in return of monetary favors offered by these industrialists. However, the Democrats are opposite sets of people, who are always ready to fight against environmental threats. On the other hand, people sitting in opposite political chamber are leaving no stone unturned in making people believe against global warming. But, the credit goes to eminent personalities like Rush Limbaugh for keeping the battle against global warming alive.

And, there are leading activists like Myron Ebell, who constantly use their public image to generate ideas against global warming. These personalities, known for their outspoken natures, are trump cards for oil companies and other industries to lead the mission of destroying efforts against global warming. They have very right tool to prove global warming as a myth and limit its value as a prank. Do you want to know, what these personalities are served with in return?

Thus, people with intelligent thought processes can predict it easily that arguments against global warming are generated as illegitimate children of some interest groups. If science is to be believed, then you must prepare yourself for facing the evil forces of global warming ruling the world. And this is going to happen due to lack of efforts made by people, who are constantly deviated from their paths by these baseless arguments.

Global Warming: Biofuels




We all are aware of bio fuels as products from living things and their metabolic wastes. There are many benefits associated with these useful fuels, the most important being their least contribution towards atmospheric pollution. These fuels offer significant advantage over fossil fuels, as they have nothing surplus to enhance the value of CO2 in air. The fact to support this is that these fuels are obtained from sources like plants, which already utilize significant amount of CO2 to grow and thus, equivalent amount is emitted back while these fuels burn.

Thus, these fuels are carbon-balanced fuels, as these burn with the policy of no gain no loss of CO2. On the other hand, the fossil fuels are known to be highest contributors towards CO2 level enhancement. These fuels, which take millions of years for their production, are burnt instantaneously to dish up human needs and thus, add worth to existing level of CO2. And, the result is increasing rate of greenhouse effect and ultimately, the rise in global warming.


Biofuels In Different Forms

The biofuels are available in the solid form, like wood and cow dung. In the liquid form, these fuels exist as ethanol. These different forms of biofuels are utilized for distinct purposes like producing electricity, fueling vehicles and other useful processes.

Liquid Biofuels Have It All

The liquid biofuels have discovered their wide applications in different fields. Consider the use of ethanol as a replacement for pollution causing fuels like diesel. Also known as biodiesel, due to its background based upon bio-products, this fuel has widely substituted diesel for various types of vehicles. There is no decrease in the efficiency of vehicle, and on top of that, we have in our hand an option for diminishing the pollution causing fuels. Ethanol has become the preferred choice of most of the people in countries like
USA.

Assessing The Friendly Nature Of Biofuels

The constant research in the field of biofuels has developed two theories on the environment friendly nature of these fuels. On one hand, these fuels hold significance in maintaining the level of CO2 in air, while there is a pitfall associated with it. The forests are constantly being cleared for obtaining lands to fuel the production of crops. Thus, we are loosing useful resources in the form of forests, which is helpful in absorbing CO2 from atmosphere in large quantities. Moreover, the expenses incurred on crops like corn are becoming unaffordable for various sections. Thus, we really need to evaluate these fuels for possessing environment friendly significance.