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  • 8/14/2019 Save the World: Global Warming

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    Global Warming: Problem Identified and Need for

    SolutionAnant S Chavan, Dilip K Mhaske

    Government Engineering College,

    Aurangabad.

    Abstract

    Heat-trapping pollution is collecting in the atmosphere like a

    thickening blanket, trapping the suns heat and causing the planet

    to warm up. Burning gasoline, coal, and natural gas produces

    these heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs), primarily carbon

    dioxide (CO2). As the build-up of GHGs in the atmosphere

    continues, global average temperatures continue to rise. The

    National Academies of Science in 11 countries, including the

    United States, have concluded that human activities are now

    causing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasesto rise

    well above pre-industrial levels. Carbon dioxide levels have

    increased from 280 parts per million (ppm) in 1750 to over 375

    ppm todayhigher than any previous levels that can be reliably

    measured (i.e., in the last 420,000 years). Increasing greenhouse

    gases are causing temperatures to rise; the Earths surface warmed

    by approximately 0.6 centigrade degrees (approximately 1F) over

    the twentieth century.

    KeywordsGHGs, global warming, environ-mental problemsINTRODUCTION

    I. Global Warming is a very real phenomenon.

    II. Global Warming is a very important topic as our actions

    can have a serious impact on the future generations. What we

    do today, can lead to a better or worse future for the coming

    generations.

    III. Global Warming doesnt necessarily mean that the world

    gets warmer.

    IV. Global Warming is something that is happening every day

    and can have a huge impact on future generations and ours.

    Global Warming is a major crisis that can have a major impact

    on our planet many years to come. Global Warming is a

    problem that is going relatively unnoticed. The majority of oursociety regards it as merely an issue that has to be address,

    instead of attending to the situation as quickly as possible.

    This lack of concern among the general population regarding

    their awareness about Global Warming can be blamed on both

    media and politicians for not taking an active role in this

    problem. By definition, Global Warming is an increase in

    Earth's temperature due to an increased use of fossil fuels and

    certain industrial wastes and agricultural process leading to a

    build-up of "green-house gases" mainly consisting of carbon

    dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons in the

    atmosphere.

    In order to meet our daily energy requirements we burn a lot

    of fossil fuels like coal or petroleum, which cause a lot of

    damage to our environment. We use coal to produce

    electricity. We also use petrol or gasoline in our vehicles for

    travel. These uses release a lot of carbon dioxide and other

    harmful gases in our atmosphere. These activities have

    reached such an extent that now it is influencing our climate.

    Some of the examples of Global Warming round the globe

    include flooding and also shift in major climatic zones and

    problems for agricultural productivity. Other examples would

    be increased risk to human health, loss of mountain and

    coastal-wetland habitats and the plants and animal that live

    there, expansion of deserts, disruption of agriculture and

    finally a rise in sea level of anywhere from 6 to 37.5 inches

    above the current level.

    I. PROBLEM

    Global warming can lead to increased flooding, sea level rise,more frequent and more serious storms, and dangerous heat

    waves, among other threats. Scientific studies have shown that

    even with aggressive measures to reduce greenhouse gases,

    the earth is committed to at least as much temperature change

    in the next 50 to 100 years.

    II. THEORETICALDISCUSSION

    Global Warming is a big problem and if everyone takes in part

    in it we can make a big difference. In fact, as individuals we

    can cut back on our daily energy use and conserve energy by

    removing items that use unnecessary amounts of energy, buyclean or hybrid vehicles that are environmentally friendly.

    Some other things that we can do together would be raise

    awareness of the need for action and working to create

    Congressional support for ratification of the Kyoto climate

    treaty. We also can support stopping of clear-cutting of

    valuable forests and help new renewable energy technologies.

    As the Earth continues to warm, there is a growing risk that

    the climate will change in ways that will seriously disrupt our

    lives. If we do not change our lifestyles, we will

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    permanently alter Earths ecosystem. While on averagethe globe will get warmer and receive more precipitation,

    individual regions will experience different climatic and

    environmental impacts.

    Because global warming will affect different regions in

    different ways, it is important for communities to develop

    their own targeted climate adaptation plans. City, county, andstate health departments, along with other local and federal

    agencies.

    III. GREENHOUSEEFFECT

    It is important to understand and discuss the significance of

    global warming. Global warming is also known as the

    "Greenhouse effect". The "Greenhouse Earth" is surrounded

    by a shield of atmospheric gases, rather than a glass or a

    plastic cover. The air that makes up our atmosphere consists

    primarily of nitrogen and oxygen molecules (N2 at 78% and

    O2 at 21%). A large number of "trace gases" make up the

    remainder of air's composition. Many of these, includingcarbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the so called

    "greenhouse" gases. If you have ever felt the piercing cold of

    the clear winter night sky and wondered why you feel warmer

    on a cloudy winter night, you have experienced the

    atmospheric greenhouse effect firsthand. Physics tell us that

    any object warmer than absolute zero will radiate energy.

    Cooler objects emit longer waves (in the infrared region)

    while hotter ones radiate shorter wavelengths. Our sun,

    powered by its hot, nuclear fusion reaction, produces radiant

    energy in the visible and ultraviolet regions with relatively

    short wavelengths. Of the sunlight that strikes the earth, about

    70% is absorbed by the planet and its atmosphere, while the

    other 30% is immediately reflected. If the earth did not re-

    radiate most of this newly absorbed energy back into space the

    world would continue to get warmer. Instead, an energy

    balance is maintained.

    Fig.Carbon Dioxide traps heat like Greenhouse

    The earth is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius)

    warmer than it would be if it did not have the atmospheric

    blanket of greenhouse gases and clouds around it. Clouds and

    greenhouse gases keep the earth warm. Once warmed, their

    molecules then radiate a portion of this heat energy back to

    earth, creating more warming on the surface of our planet. It is

    this radiation which causes atmospheric gases to move back to

    earth that scientists call the "greenhouse effect".

    Fig. GHG Emissions By Source in 2004

    Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas generated by man's burning of

    fossil fuels and the forests is responsible for about half the

    greenhouse gas warming. Other gases (CFCs, methane,nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone) are responsible for the rest.

    Increases in all these gases are due to mankind's explosive

    population growth over the last century, and increased

    industrial expansion. Approximately 80% of atmospheric CO2

    increases are due to man's use of fossil fuels: oil, coal, and

    gas. These petroleum-based energy sources first came into use

    with the burning of coal during Since 1945 petroleum

    consumption has increased dramatically, due in large part to

    increased usage of automobiles worldwide, and the

    substitution of mechanized farm machinery for animal power.

    "Mankind is in the process of conducting a major,

    unintentional experiment, that of feeding back into the

    atmosphere in a short space of geological time the fossils fuelsthat have slowly accumulated over the past 500 million

    years."

    IV. THEEARTHHEATINGUP

    Much debate in the last five years about the greenhouse

    effect has cantered on interpreting temperature numbers

    generated at weather stations all over the world. The data from

    these thermometers are averaged and plotted in attempts to

    determine just how fast the earth has heated up since the

    measurements began. There is now no doubt the world is

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    getting warmer. The thermometers show that the world is

    warmer now than at any time since the measurements started.

    The year 1990 was the hottest year in the last century.

    Together with 1991, the years of 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1989,

    have been measured to be the warmest 6 years in the last

    hundred years. 1991 was the second warmest year of the past

    century, perhaps due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo during

    that year. The ash from the volcano in the upper atmosphere

    blocks some sunlight to earth, and is expected to generate a

    temporary two or three year cooling effect. After that time,

    most ash particles will have settled back to earth, and most

    scientists expect to see the global warming trend continue.

    V. CURRENTEFFECTS

    A. Global warming has great effect on crops and weather

    conditions around the world. The northern hemisphere

    contains more land area than the southern hemisphere, and

    conversely, a lower percentage of the world's oceans. Since

    oceans absorb more heat than land areas, it is not surprising

    that most climate models predict faster heating over the

    northern hemisphere than the global average. In addition,

    models predict faster temperature increases at higher latitudes.

    If global warming trends continue, high temperatures

    everywhere in the US may reduce US agricultural

    productivity. Northern continental areas are projected to have

    drier summer soils, due in part to earlier snow melts in the

    spring, and hotter, more cloudless summers, causing extensive

    evaporation of ground moisture.

    B. Due to global warming concern is the possible rise of sea

    levels. With a large number of the world's cities in coastal

    areas, this is a significant problem. There are two majorcauses of rising sea levels. First, extra water is produced when

    ice melts. Secondly, the natural expansion of sea water as it

    becomes warmer. The range of sea ice around both poles

    continues to shrink, as it melts. Even with the level of

    greenhouse gases present today, the earth may warm enough

    in the next 50 years or so to completely melt the sea ice

    located on the poles

    VI. REALCAUSES

    A. Forest destruction creates more heat:

    Trees are able to store a large amount of CO2 in their

    structures. An acre of forest will absorb about 10 times the

    CO2 amount absorbed by an acre of crop land or grassland.

    One tree absorbs about 13 pounds of CO2 per year, and each

    one acre of forest absorbs about 2.8 tons of CO2. However,

    when trees are burned, the carbon locked in the structure isreleased into the air in the form of CO2. Today, the shrinking

    world forests are not able to absorb all the CO2 created by

    human beings while burning fossil fuels. Everyday over 5500

    acres of rain forest are destroyed, and over 50 million acres

    are destroyed every year. Global CO2 levels rise

    approximately 0.4 percent each year, to levels not experienced

    on this planet for millions of years. Planting more trees and

    reducing timber cuts world-wide will help restore the

    imbalance, and perhaps buy time as ways are found to reduce

    world greenhouse gas emissions.

    Fig. Causes of global warming

    B. Population growth contributes to global warming.

    The intellectual powers that we enjoy has enabled us to make

    effective use of technology and thereby changed the

    environment. Technology is partly responsible for explosive

    population growth and responsible for the resulting damage to

    Earth's resources. The industrial revolution caused a rapid

    increase in the Population growth, as oil and gas fuels were

    exploited for our use. There is a clear link between the

    problems of global warming and overpopulation, as increases

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    in CO2 levels follows growth in population. Presently, we

    have too many people on Earth, who are using technologies

    that are destructive for the Earth. We cannot continue to grow,

    and make use of limited natural resources.

    VII. SOLUTIONS

    A. Technical Solutions

    Renewable Energy

    Renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, offer

    abundant opportunities to generate clean electricity. Currently,

    renewable energy supplies about 11% of the states electricity

    needs. Each year, renewable power reduces state-wide NOx

    emissions by almost 3,400 tons, avoiding emissions equal to

    more than 350,000 cars.

    Cleaner Cars

    Cars and trucks are the largest source of global warming

    pollution in the world, and also offer the greatest opportunities

    to cut the worlds pollution. Passenger vehicles should be

    subject to tailpipe emission standards, which provide

    significant air pollution reductions. Even so, strategies to cut

    global warming pollution from vehicles will further reduce air

    pollution.

    Alternative Fuels

    Alternative fuel vehicles can also provide reductions in air

    pollution. In particular, electric and hydrogen powered

    vehicles do not have any tailpipe emissions, and if their fuel is

    produced from clean energy sources, then they can be

    powered without producing global warming pollution or airpollution. Renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel can

    also reduce global warming pollution. High blend ethanol (E-

    85) can avoid the air quality problems associated with low

    blends and maximize global warming pollution reductions.

    Diesel Emission Reduction Strategies

    Reducing diesel emissions can provide multiple benefits

    reducing global warming pollution, air toxics, and smog-

    forming pollutants. In particular, reducing emissions of diesel

    particulate matter (PM) can provide significant health

    benefits, because diesel PM is responsible for 70% of the

    cancer risk associated with air toxics.

    Transit systems reduce pollution while providing a convenient

    alternative for commuters. Public transit generally requires

    only half the energy of cars and SUVs for every passenger

    mile travelled.

    B. What we can do to decrease global warming:

    There are several things which you can do directly after

    reading this paper.

    1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a

    compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl)

    2. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air

    conditioner

    3. Choose energy efficient appliances when making

    new purchases

    4. Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly

    5. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket

    6. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long

    period

    7. Recycle your organic waste and Be sure youre

    recycling at home

    8. Switch to green power, Do not leave appliances on

    standby

    9. Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking,

    biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever

    possible and Fly less

    10. Encourage your school or business to reduce

    emissions, encourage the switch to renewable energy

    11. Protect and conserve forest worldwide

    12. Make your city cool,

    13. Try telecommuting from home

    14. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel, Check your

    tires weekly to make sure theyre properly inflated,

    When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel

    efficient vehicle.

    15. Reuse your shopping bag

    16. Plant a Tree, and be sure it is growing properly.

    VIII. CONCLUSIONS

    A. Global Warming is real.

    B. It is a serious problem that has to be addressed.

    C. Education of the mainstream society regarding the

    consequences of global warming is the first step in curbing the

    problem

    D. There are solutions that can help reduce Global Warming,

    and we can be a part of it.

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