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<center><H1>Global Warming</h1></center><br>
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By Dominique W.</P><br>
<P>© March 29, 2006 CMPT 109</P><br>
<h2>What is Global Warming?</h2><br>
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<p>Have you ever thought about how the winters seem just as warm as the springs? Especially when you feel like taking off your winter coat and putting on a light jacket in the middle of February. Of course we will be happy to not be enduring harsh cold temperatures, but when you think about it, it is normal to be below thirty degrees at that time of year. The part that is not normal is how our winters are becoming more and more warmer. Then during the summer time, the temperature soars to the one hundreds with very high ultra violet ray sun output. These are signs of the most important environmental issue, Global Warming. People are now becoming aware of the effects of global warming. There are many books and movies to help people see how if there is not effort to help, then the world can suffer some major consequences.</P> <br>
<img src="
http://www.andreaboggio.com/environment/ozone.jpg"; width="268" height="168"><br>
<h4><em>Figure 1: The high amounts of greenhouse gases are causing ozone layer depletion.</em></h4><br>
<P><br>
Global warming is the predicted warming of the earth's climate as atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases increase causing a greenhouse effect. The reason it is called the greenhouse effect is because a greenhouse for plants trap heat and moisture in for the plants within. The sun heats up the greenhouse causing a warm and humid climate. Some other areas become very dry to a point of drought.The world is going through a similar phase and it's warming at a record pace. Greenhouse gases are fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas and the release of numerous amounts of carbon dioxide. Another is the release of Haloalkanes like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The burning and usage of these fossil fuels causes particulates and water vapor in the air. "We've been adding to the stock of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by taking coal, oil and natural gas out of the ground and burning them as fuels," (<A href= "
http://news.nationalgeographic.com"> "Day After Tomorrow" Ice Age "Impossible," Experts Says</A>). These gases are then trapped in the atmosphere causing a temperature inversion. These gases are then trapped in the atmosphere causing a temperature inversion. This is when dust particle and heavy formed cloud traps all of the heat that is projected by the sun especially the ultra-violet radiation. The reason why it is so easy for these dangerous and powerful rays to enter the earth is because of the depletion of the Ozone Layer. According to the book <i>Evolution of the Earth</I>, the ozone layer is defined as "a zone in the lower atmosphere between 15 and 30 km above the earth's surface that is enriched in ozone (O3)." Over the years scientists and climatologists noticed changes in the global temperatures. The ozone is usually described as the earth's "sunscreen" because it filters out the ultra- violet radiation. What are the main sources of these fossil fuels that cause this global problem? What produces these emissions?</P><br>
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<h2>What Causes Global Warming?</h2> <br>
<u><h3>Greenhouse Gases</h3></u><br>
<img src="
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/FuelcombustionGHGs1990.gif"; width="512" height="342"><br>
<h4><em>Chart 1: Greenhouse gas emission chart provided by the <A href= "
http://www.cmdl.noaa.gov/noah/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</A>.</em></h4><br>
<p>Like I mentioned earlier, global warming can be caused by the release of high levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There are numerous contributions to this major issue. Power plants and industries that emerged during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century and the early 19th century and it was known for its mass production to help to bring money into the economy. There was the production of the steam power trains, which was fueled by coal, and there were coal power textile manufacturing plants. Coal is a fossil fuel and a current greenhouse gas, due its high sulfur and carbon content, that was mined from underground and used for fueling engines. Methane is another component of coal that is harmful when burned and released into the atmosphere. The burning of this fossil fuel has lead to the first signs of global warming during that period. "Emissions from coal-fired power plants represent the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, a primary cause of global warming," (<A href= "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal..Harmful_effects_of_coal_burning";> Wikipedia "Coal"</A>). Coal is still a major finite fossil fuel that is still used today for mostly electricity and heating throughout the world. </P><br>
<p><br>
Another fossil fuel is natural gas, which consists primarily of methane. Methane can be found in sewage, landfills, decaying organic matter and in the digestive system and manure of most species. Methane is released as "free methane" and it makes methane harmful, but short-lived because the atmosphere is oxidized producing carbon dioxide and oxygen. Natural gas is used as a source of energy for many products including stoves, vehicles and fertilizers. People are concerned about cows and their affect on global warming. They release methane into the atmosphere through biogas. Compared to other fossil fuels, natural gas has few effects on the environment and produces less greenhouse gases. They still have a major contribution to global warming.</p><br>
<p><br>
Carbon dioxide is a gas that exists in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide exists in out gassing from volcanoes, the combustion or burning of organic matter and respiration of different species in cellular respiration. Plants also use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas, because too much of this good gas is bad. Large amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause a chemical imbalance in the air and enhances the greenhouse affect.</p><br>
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<marquee behavior=alternate><marquee width="200"><img src="
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<h4><em>Figure 2: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is a greenhouse gas found in aerosol sprays and other products.</em></h4><br>
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Chlorofluorocarbons are Haloalkalines or halocarbons that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms. They are considered to be a non-flammable and non-toxic material. "They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants,"(<A href= "
http://www.cmdl.noaa.gov/noah/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html">NOAA ESRL Global Monitoring Division</A>). The chlorine atom in CFCs that is released into the atmosphere destroys the ozone in catalytic reactions with chlorine and bromine. Being the chlorofluorocarbons have been such a major impact on the depletion of the ozone layer, many products have removed the compound from production. Many of the older refrigerators, air conditioners, and freezers projected CFCs into the atmosphere when in use. In 1985, scientists began to realize the ozone layer has grown a hole in it directly over Antarctica and they knew the type of danger it could cause.</P><br>
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<u><h3>Deforestation</h3></u><br>
<img src="
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/ontheline/explore/nature/rainforest/images/defores.jpg"; width="200" height="200"><br>
<h4><em>Figure 3: Evidence of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest in South America.</em></h4><br>
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Over the years there has been another major issue concerning global warming, deforestation. Deforestation is the process in which forest areas are converted to urban property or farming land. During this process, there are hundreds of trees cut down and plants are removed to use for production. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with photosynthesis and replace it with oxygen. When these trees are cut down, they are burned or decayed from being cut down. After those processes, numerous amounts of carbon are then emitted into the atmosphere. Then if there aren't enough trees to remove carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide will definitely increase. In areas where there is mass production and manufacturing plants, trees are very vital to remove emissions that can cause serious air pollution.</P> <br>
<h2>Global Warming and Climate Change</h2> <br>
<p>There is major evidence of global warming and that is climate change. Climate is the weather average and accumulation over a period of time. Does it seem to you that winter is getting warmer every year leading into an early spring season? After the early spring there is a hot summer with very little precipitation, yet not as humid. Then there are times when Mother Nature seems like she is confused. These weather patterns are becoming more frequent causing people to really be concerned with the environment and way we treat it. Throughout the world, there have been many problems that are relating to the changes in the climate.</P> <br>
<u><h3>Rising Temperatures and Rising Sea Levels</h3></u><br>
<img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00100sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00139sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00147sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00073sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00109sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><img src="
http://www.usgs.gov/images/topical/glaciers/dsc00066sm.jpg"; width="151" height="113"><br>
<h4><em>Figure 4: Photos of retreating Alaskan glaciers in Alaska including the Stephens Glacier and the Tazlina Glacier.</em></h4><br>
<p>According to the studies, the increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the next century can raise Arctic temperatures as much as 5 to 8 degrees. The risings of the global temperatures are caused by the increase of greenhouse gases causing the ozone layer to increase in size. This is allowing more dangerous UV rays from the sun to shine with a higher intensity. During the last century, the warmest decade was the 1990s. The warmest year was recorded as 1998. "Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University, who was not part of the research teams, said, 'One point stands out above all others and that is that a modest global warming may put Earth in the danger zone for a major sea level rise due to deglaciation of one or both ice sheets," (<A href= "
http://www.starledger.com/";> Global Warming Warns Earth of a Sea Change</A>). This is an issue that has a negative affect on coastal areas. Greenland's two large glaciers are retreating at a record pace. According to Gordon Hamilton of the Universtity of Maine's Climate Change Institute, one of the glaciers, Kangerdlugssuaq, is currently moving about 9 miles a year compared to 3 miles a year in 2001. There have been more instances deglacation and scientists predict a much as a three-foot rise in ocean levels over the next century.</p><br>
<u><h3>Too Much Rain or Not Enough?</h3></u><br>
<img src="
http://www.wtpdmorris.org/News/Images/Flooding%2012-11-03/flooding.jpg"; width="175" height="131"><img src="
http://www.biblia.com/disasters/drought-12.jpg"; width="175" height="131"><br>
<h4><em>Figure 5: The paradox: where wet places get abundant amounts of rainfall, the drier places subject to drier weather or drought.</em></h4><br>
<p>Other factors of climate change are high amounts of precipitation and severe droughts. There is a slight alteration in the hydrologic cycle also known as the water cycle. Due to the increasing temperatures in some places, warmer temperatures tend to hold in more moisture in the air from evaporation. This increases the amount of precipitation an area will receive, but at the same time the dry places can experience a series of droughts. In a 2002 climate model, it showed many climate extremes. In 2002, Asia and Europe were indulged in excessive rainfall, yet in the United States there were hotter temperatures in the east and western cities. Nearly half of the U.S. was experiencing serious drought conditions that summer. Africa is one of the main places affected by climate change and global warming. As stated by John Mutter of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, "But what is truly frightening is that even small changes to global climate really can lead to catastrophes, such as the drought in Ethiopia in the 1980s,"(<A href= "
http://www.nydailynews.com/">Flick's Only Fiction, but Facts Could Leave You in Cold Sweat</A>). These droughts occurred in the Sahel region just below the Sahara Desert, when tropical rains were shifted southwards.</p><br>
<h2>Paleoclimatology and Global Warming</h2><br>
<p>They say that history repeats itself, but does that apply to climate patterns. Paleoclimatology is the study of ancient climatic changes and patterns. Scientist based most of their predictions on past weather events even those of the dinosaur era and maybe before that time. In recent studies of global warming, the history of the world's climate is researched and looked over thoroughly to make connections to today's climate.</P> <br>
<p>Over the course of human history, there have been a series of climate changes. There have been many climate changes over time and they are called climate cycles. In the book <em>Evolution of the Earth</em>, it mentions "During the last peak of warming about 125,000 years ago, the actual interglacial period lasted only 7,000 to 10,000 years, and the declined to glaciations,"(Prothero and Dott). Being that the burning of fossil fuels is causing all of these changes in the atmosphere and climate, we are causing alterations in climatic patterns. We may have to either endure a massive flood from rising sea levels or push far beyond a warming period to end up in a "superinterglacial" period. <A href= "
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/paleo.html">NOAA Paleoclimatology Program</A> is a program to assist scientists to study the climate of the past to gain an understanding of the present and future climate of the Earth.</p><br>
<h2>Global Warming Health Impacts</h2><br>
<marquee behavior=alternate><marquee width="200"><img src="
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<h4><em>Figure 6: These photos show how human health is affected by global warming.</em></h4><br>
<u><h3>Respiratory Problems</h3></u><br>
<p>With the climate constantly changing and a series of strange weather patterns, this can have an effect on the health of people throughout the world. With the increasing temperatures there are many problems that can arise from this aspect. There is an increase of ground level ozone due to the increases of temperatures. It has become a pollutant in the atmosphere. It is very harmful to the respiratory system and it can damage lung tissue. This causes problems to people who have asthma and other lung diseases. Even a slight exposure to this can cause chest pains, nausea, and pulmonary congestion. If this warming of the Earth continues about 4 degrees, it will be enough to raise the ozone concentration about 5 percent. </p> <br>
<u><h3>Heat Related Ailments</h3></u><br>
<p>The increasing temperatures are causing increases in the mortality rates. In urban areas, the elderly and the children are the main people affected. Cities on hot days are referred to as "Urban Heat Islands," because of the lack of green space to reflect the heat back out. The powerful radiation from the sun is absorbed which makes the temperatures hotter than they as supposed to be. Then there are more air pollutants and greenhouse gases that assist in trapping the heat closer to the Earth. The steady increases in global temperatures can lead to serious heat strokes, heat exhaustion and death.</P><br>
<u><h3>Spawn Diseases</h3></u><br>
<p> There is also an increase in diseases that occur in warm climate and more mosquito spread diseases. Most tropical areas already have problems with mosquitoes spreading diseases because of the humid and moist climates. " Diseases that are spread by mosquitoes and other insects could become more prevalent if warmer temperatures enabled those insects to become established farther north; such "vector-borne" diseases include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis,"(<A href= "
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ImpactsHealth.html">EPA: Global Warming Health Impacts</A>). Most of these diseases are rare in the United States, but they are still affecting other people throughout the world and it needs to be closely examined.</P><br>
<h2>What is Being Done</h2><br>
<p>Global warming is becoming a bigger concern now more than ever. People are noticing the series of weather anomalies and climate changes. This is making people more concerned about the future of the world for generations to come being that our generation is experiencing so many problems. There have been many organizations, programs, and agreements that have emerged to improve our environment. During the United States transitional phases of the 60s and 70s, the Nixon Administration created the <A href="
http://www.epa.gov">Environmental Protection Agency</A> in 1970.</p><br>
<p>Being that carbon dioxide was one of the main sources of production and causes of global warming, the country of japan created the Kyoto Protocol in March 2007. The goal of the Protocol was for developed countries mainly to lower carbon dioxide emissions 5% below the 1990 level by the year 2012. After Russia signed it, it was put into effect. Yet, one of the most producing countries, the United States did not sign. The Bush Administration refused to sign it and it was rumored that it would slow our growing economy and that it did not apply to developing countries. Australia was another country that did not sign, but it was for another reason.<br>
<u><h3>Green Energy</h3></u><br>
<img src="
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39191000/jpg/_39191143_turbines203pic.jpg"><img src="
http://www.iea-shc.org/welcome/wel_images/integrating_solar_energy_01.jpg"; width="203" height="152"><img src="
http://www.fuelfromthewater.com/hydroelectric_power_1.jpg"; width="203" height="152"><img src="
http://www.etfinancial.com/_images/Biomass1.jpg"; width="203" height="152"><br>
<h4><em>Figure 7: Ways to obtain green energy including wind power wind farms, solar power panels, hydroelectric power plants and biomass plants.</em></h4><br>
<p>Green energy is a renewable source used for energy that has a low impact on the environment. There are several types of green energy sources. Some examples of green energy are hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, hydrogen power and biomass. Nuclear energy can be considered as green energy but still looked at as a hazard due to radiation. Many people are using Biodiesel fuels for their cars and many car companies are building hybrid cars with fuel and electricity. Many businesses are beginning to use <A href="
http://www.energystar.gov">Energy Star</A> to reduce pollution from energy uses.</p> <br>
<P>More people are becoming aware of global warming and the negative affects. It is a global problem that can be slowed down if we start to use more of the renewable energy and less of the greenhouse gases. The state of New Jersey is definitely taking a stand on global warming with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan, which states that a 3.5% reduction in New Jerseys greenhouse gas emissions will be below 1990s level by 2005. This is similar to the Kyoto Protocol on a regional scale. I am so glad to live in a state that is taking action against global warming. </P><br>
<h2>References</h2> <br>
<p>Farndon, John, Jack Challoner, Robin Kerrod, and Rodney Walshaw. <i>Amazing Planet <br>
Earth</i>. London: Anness Publishing Limited, 2003.</P><br>
<p>Prothero, Donald R. and Robert H. Dott, Jr. <i>Evolution of the Earth</i>. New York: McGraw <br>
Hill, 2002.</p><br>
<p>Schmid, Randolph E. Global warming warns Earth of a sea change. <i>The Star-Ledger</i> 24 <br>
March 2006, p.35.</P> <br>
<p>Shin, Paul H.B. Flicks only fiction, but facts could leave you in a cold sweat. <i>The <br>
Daily News</i> 30 May 2004.</P> <br>
<P>Natural Resource Defense Council: Global Warming. 9 January 2006. 15 February <br>
2006.
http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp.</p><br>
<p>Wikipedia: Global Warming. 15 February 2006. <br>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming>.</p><br>
<p>Wikipedia: Coal. 15 February 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/coal.</P><br>
<p>EPA Global Warming- Actions. 7 January 2000. 15 February 2006. <br>
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/Actions.html.</P><br>
<p>EPA Global Warming- Health Impacts. 7 January 2000. 15 February 2006. <br>
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ImpactsHealth.html.</P><br>
<p>NOAA Paleoclimatology Global Warming- The Story. 15 February 2006. <br>
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/globalwarming/what.html.</P> <br>
<p>Elkins, James W. NOAA ESRL Global Monitoring Division: Chlorofluorocarbons <br>
(CFCs). 1999. 15 February 2006.http://
www.cmdl.noaa.gov/noah/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html.</p><br>
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