Whenever I see the tempting ads of automobiles, the terrifying picture of global warming comes to my mind. These machines from the day of their birth till they reach the junkyard are the enemies of our beautiful planet. As comfort has become an indispensable part of modern life, one cannot now think of a life-style without these dangerous machines. New models of cars with added comfort and greater fuel consumption hit the street every day. When the temptation to purchase a car grips us, we never think of the harm these machines do to the environment. By owing a car we contribute to the destruction of our wonderful earth.
Fossil fuel excavation, increase in the production of vehicles, and the growth of industry have been going on at a rapid rate for the past few decades. In the name of development we have been exploiting natural resources without any thought of the damage this will cause. Atmospheric pollution has been increasing at an alarming rate. Now we have reached a stage of irreversible changes in the environment. The greatest threat that is looming large in the present century is the problem of global warming.
Global warming is a phenomenon which is going to endanger the survival of human beings on the earth. It can result in the rising if sea level all over the world due to the melting of snow in the arctic region. The changes in regional climate could alter forest, crop yields and water supplies. The evil effects of this cannot be fully predicted now. It may be more terrifying than we predict now.
Global warming is caused by the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other green house gases in the atmosphere. The concentration of these gases in the atmosphere will trap the radiation from the sun and will result in increasing atmospheric temperature. The earth’s surface temperature has risen in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. We have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of green house gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface, in turn; the earth radiates the energy back into space. Atmospheric green house gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a green house. Without this natural “greenhouse effect,” temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases. Direct manifestations of a wide spread and long-term trend toward warmer global temperatures will result in heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather, ocean warming, sea-level rise and coastal flooding, glaciers melting and Arctic and Antarctic warming. A continued warming may bring many communicable diseases, earlier spring arrival, plant and animal range shifting and population changes, downpours, heavy snowfalls, flooding, drought and fire.
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%; methane concentrations have more than doubled; and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere. As a result the snow covers in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century. All these are clear indications that it is time for action; otherwise we will have to pay a great price for our inactivity.
It is a crime to think: “we don’t care, we are now safe.” The problem of global warming may sound unreal to those who are not aware of the enormity of the danger. If we do not preserve our wonderful earth for our future generations who else will do it? Many nations have become aware of this and as a result the singing of Kyoto Treaty has taken place. The Kyoto Protocol went into effect on Wednesday 16 February 2005. Its 141 member nations have to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases linked to climate change. But there are certain debatable issues that are still remaining. Will Europe and Japan, which must make deep cuts in their emissions under the treaty, be able to do so without hurting their economics? Will the U.S. government, which pulled out of the protocol in 2001, continue to oppose the international negotiations on climate change? And will the automobile companies make cuts in operations and remain satisfied with lesser profit? Many questions are still unanswered, but one thing is sure that this is a positive move in the right direction. In this dehumanizing age this gives a ray of hope for the humanity.
President George Bush has decided not to sign Kyoto Treaty saying that it will affect their economy. But even in the U.S.A. there are people who are aware of the problem and the placards, “To Humanity, hey George, Sign Kyoto” that have appeared before the White House are a clear indication of their feelings. One should remember the fact the U.S.A. is one of the nations which is causing the maximum amount of atmospheric pollution. In the United States, approximately 6.6 tons of greenhouse gases are emitted per person have increased about 3.4% between 1990and 1997. Most of these emissions, about 82%, are from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and also to power their cars. The remaining emissions are from methane from waters in their landfills, natural gas pipelines, and coal, as well as from industrial chemicals and other sources.
Fortunately, we can take action to slowdown global warming. To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides, we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels, use technologies that reduce the amount of emissions wherever possible, and protect the world’s forests. We can also introduce new technology to mitigate the impacts of global warming. Through careful long-term planning and other strategies we can reduce global warming. Many people in European countries are switching over to public transport systems rather than using cars. The use of automobiles has been discouraged or controlled in some of the campuses in Europe.
Clearly, global warming is a serious problem that deserves serious attention. Every-one governments, industry, communities and individuals should work together to make a real difference. If we are convinced of its effects then we should also shoulder the responsibility to fight against it and also to make others aware of its massive effects. If we don’t show enough interest in it then we are doing a crime against the human race. The awareness and remedy should go hand in hand and should create a wonderful world to live in. We should advocate policies that will reduce global warming and should think of alternative fuels for our vehicles, find renewable energy sources and stop cutting valuable forests. If these things can be done, then the earth will become the most beautiful place to live in.
Article by: Lima Antony,St. Teresa’s College
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