WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING?

KYOKO AITANI

What is the Global Warming? Global warming is the increase of Earth’s average temperature because of effect of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane), N2O (nitrous oxide) and H2O (water). These gases make ‘heat’, and these heat gases trap in the atmosphere and cannot escape to the space. Therefore, the average temperature is rising gradually.

What are the effects of Global Warming?• Rising sea level: some researchers expect that sea level would rise between 7 and 23 inches by the end of

the century. Due to rising sea level, unfortunately some lands would go under the sea.• Melting North and South poles ices: hot temperature is melted the Arctic and Antarctic ices. • Vanishing some animals: like polar bears, some animals’ habitats are vanishing due to global warming.

The warmings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time. We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences. --- Al Gore

Why global warming is really happening?You know that we should be eco-friendly person for stopping global warming and CO2 is one of the big cause of it. Why does CO2 increase? People especially live in developed countries are using too much electricity such as air conditioners and lights. In addition, people use car to transport somewhere. The car’s power: gasoline makes from burning fossil fuels. These people’s behaviors are the big man-made cause of increasing CO2. The graph 1 shows the relationship between global temperature and the amount of CO2. Temperature is rising and also CO2 is increasing.

Graph 1

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What Should We Do About Global Warming?

How much Japanese people emit CO2?Person 1

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Person 1 emits 49,107 pounds of CO2 per year. On the other hand, she reduces 44,224 pounds. Therefore, if she becomes more eco-friendly person, her house’s CO2 emission would decrease and good for our environment!!

Person 2

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Person 2 emits 63,286 pounds of CO2 per year and reduces 59,971 pounds. Her house’s emission is quite much CO2. She is not eco-friendly person than person 1, but she can reduce pretty much CO2.

As you can see these Japanese people’s household carbon emission, Japanese people emit CO2 less than average of American people’s household carbon emissions. In addition, Japanese people try to reduce amount of CO2 because as you see the graphs, both people’s household emissions and reduced emissions are almost same amounts. Therefore, if Japanese try harder to contribute to stop global warming, we might change the world. Japanese people are really dedicated because a meeting of global warming has held in Kyoto, Japan and they made a protocol. This “Kyoto Protocol” is very important key thing to stop the global warming and make better earth. Also, if you do not use too much electricity, the electricity bill would be cheeper.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that provides State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that global warming exists and man-made CO2 emissions have caused it.

What is the primary goal of the Kyoto Protocol?The goal of reduces emissions by 5.2%, compared to 1990 levels. For Japan, Kyoto Protocol has goal of reducing 6% of CO2.

But it is very difficult for current Japan, because before Japan got earthquake in 2011, they used to use nuclear energy to make the power. However, right now it cannot use because it radiates radioactive rays and it is really bad for our health and agricultures. Therefore, we have to use fossil fuels to make the power instead of nuclear. Hence, we have a set back in to achieve the goal of reducing 6% of CO2.

What are the possible solutions?• Use trains instead of cars or airplanes: train is the best vehicle to

reduce CO2, so when you travel the other place, you should use trains as if possible.

• Turn off the air conditioners and lights if it is not using.

• Do not waste papers: when paper is burned, CO2 emits.

• Plant trees: trees give oxygen and also take in CO2.

• Keep in your mind 3Rs- “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle”

Your small actions can change the world!!

Kyoko AitaniInternational School Bangkok

General Chemistry

How Can We Prevent Global Warming?

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