Global warming: A threat to life
Planet earth is facing a serious crisis in the form of global warming. Citizens of earth no matter wherever they are living, all are equally affected. Global warming is showing its “Ecosigns” (Achenback and Heidi 1) such as changing monsoon pattern, expanding arid regions, fluctuating seasons, decreasing fresh water, and rising sea levels. The world is often divided about the reasons of global warming, as some believes that it is a publicity stunt (Horgan), whereas others link it to anthropogenic actions. The global warming and the resultant climatic changes are due to uncontrolled human exploitation of earth, and its resources thereby emitting large volume of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The greenhouse …show more content…
The IPCC’s assessment report found that carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluoro carbons and fluorinated compounds which are of anthropogenic origin, are the major greenhouse gases that cause global warming (“IPCC Fourth”). A different study by Achenback and Heidi found that atmospheric temperature has increased by one degree from the previous century. Emissions from factories, combustion of fuel fuels, cutting down of trees and uncontrolled mining are the major reasons for rise in temperature (Achenback and Heidi 1). Carbon dioxide accounts for the majority of the gases emitted from these sources, and we all know that trees can utilize carbon dioxide through photosynthesis stabilizing its atmospheric level. Therefore, deliberate cutting down of trees will lead to less utilization of carbon dioxide, and increase in its atmospheric level. The current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is 398.58 parts per million, an increase of 41% from the pre industrial level (“Climate change 2007”). A rise of 2 degrees Celsius from the pre industrial level is the maximum rise of atmospheric temperature we can afford, and therefore to achieve this figure the CO2 concentration must be within 450 parts per million (“Climate change …show more content…
Kyoto protocol “commits industrialized countries to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions” (“Kyoto protocol”). Even though Kyoto protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997, it took nine more years (16 February 2015) to enter into force due to difference among various member nations. Kyoto protocol binds only developed countries as they are the principal emitters of greenhouse gases for the past many years due to heavy industrialization (“Kyoto protocol”). The first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. An amendment of Kyoto protocol was made during Doha convention at Qatar, in December 2012 to expedite the emission cuts and to encourage many more countries to join the commitment (“Doha
Planet earth is facing a serious crisis in the form of global warming. Citizens of earth no matter wherever they are living, all are equally affected. Global warming is showing its “Ecosigns” (Achenback and Heidi 1) such as changing monsoon pattern, expanding arid regions, fluctuating seasons, decreasing fresh water, and rising sea levels. The world is often divided about the reasons of global warming, as some believes that it is a publicity stunt (Horgan), whereas others link it to anthropogenic actions. The global warming and the resultant climatic changes are due to uncontrolled human exploitation of earth, and its resources thereby emitting large volume of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The greenhouse …show more content…
The IPCC’s assessment report found that carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluoro carbons and fluorinated compounds which are of anthropogenic origin, are the major greenhouse gases that cause global warming (“IPCC Fourth”). A different study by Achenback and Heidi found that atmospheric temperature has increased by one degree from the previous century. Emissions from factories, combustion of fuel fuels, cutting down of trees and uncontrolled mining are the major reasons for rise in temperature (Achenback and Heidi 1). Carbon dioxide accounts for the majority of the gases emitted from these sources, and we all know that trees can utilize carbon dioxide through photosynthesis stabilizing its atmospheric level. Therefore, deliberate cutting down of trees will lead to less utilization of carbon dioxide, and increase in its atmospheric level. The current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is 398.58 parts per million, an increase of 41% from the pre industrial level (“Climate change 2007”). A rise of 2 degrees Celsius from the pre industrial level is the maximum rise of atmospheric temperature we can afford, and therefore to achieve this figure the CO2 concentration must be within 450 parts per million (“Climate change …show more content…
Kyoto protocol “commits industrialized countries to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions” (“Kyoto protocol”). Even though Kyoto protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997, it took nine more years (16 February 2015) to enter into force due to difference among various member nations. Kyoto protocol binds only developed countries as they are the principal emitters of greenhouse gases for the past many years due to heavy industrialization (“Kyoto protocol”). The first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. An amendment of Kyoto protocol was made during Doha convention at Qatar, in December 2012 to expedite the emission cuts and to encourage many more countries to join the commitment (“Doha