Question

Think about the various causes of global warming with other related environmental problems. Do you think that global warming will be under control soon, or will it be accelerated? Also, list some examples of things you can do to help prevent climate change.

Answer 1

Greenhouse Gases Are the Main Reasons for Global Warming

Although carbon dioxide receives the most press as the culprit responsible for global warming, water vapor is actually the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide still deserves its notoriety, however. It may be a minor component of the atmosphere, but its increased abundance is contributing to the warming trend, according to NASA. Humans exacerbate the problem by cutting trees that absorb this gas and by adding other greenhouse gases to the mixture over and above those that enter through natural processes. In addition, one of the global warming causes might be astronomical.

Cause #1: Variations in the Sun's Intensity

The Earth receives its warmth from the sun, so it's reasonable to suspect that our home star may be one of the reasons for global warming. Although the amount of energy coming from the sun does vary and may have been responsible for warming in the past, however, NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have ruled this out as a cause of the current warming trend. The average energy coming from the sun generally has remained constant since 1750, and the warming does not occur uniformly throughout the atmosphere. The upper layer is actually cooling as the bottom layer becomes warmer.

Cause #2: Industrial Activity

Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been burning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum for energy, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A quarter of this is for heat and electricity, while another quarter is for other industrial processes and transportation, which includes gasoline- or diesel-powered cars, trucks, trains and airplanes. The other half of the energy is used for various other purposes, including agriculture, cement production and oil and gas production. These processes also release other greenhouse gases, such as methane and CFCs, although the concentration of CFCs has declined since their use was banned in 1988.

Cause #3: Agricultural Activity

The agricultural practices that produce food for the people on earth is another of the human causes of climate change. The use of both commercial and organic fertilizers releases nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. Methane, another important greenhouse gas, comes from many natural sources, but also from the digestive systems of livestock raised for meat production as well as the decomposition of waste in landfills and the burning of biomass.

Cause #4: Deforestation

The increased demand for meat and dairy cattle has lead to the creation of feed lots in otherwise forested areas. Logging for wood and paper and clearing for crop production also requires trees to be cut, sometimes illegally. One mature tree absorbs as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide each year, and by one estimate, 3.5 to 7 billion are cut every year. According to Scientific American, deforestation is responsible for 15 percent of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Cause #5: Earth's Own Feedback Loop

As the atmosphere warms, it is able to hold more water, which is already the most abundant greenhouse gas. This creates a feedback loop that accelerates global warming. It also creates more clouds, rainstorms and other symptoms of climate change. At the poles, the warming of the atmosphere melts the ice cover, exposing water, which is less reflective than ice. The water absorbs the sun's heat, and the oceans also become warmer as a result.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The onset of climate change has come about following over 200 years' worth of unchecked manmade activity that's had a negative impact on the world around us - from deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels to driving cars or throwing away perfectly useable materials.

while we can't undo the damage caused to the environment, we can help decelerate the rate of change - and long-term, change the fate of the planet altogether. Half the problem for us as individuals, however, is the knowing where to start.

To help you get to grips with climate change, we've identified several key areas we should all be addressing in our day to day lives to help you get started. We hope you'll find that becoming more environmentally friendly isn't as difficult as you might think!

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Our homes contribute a large carbon emissions - and it's down to individuals to make a change to reduce their property's environmental impact. Here are a few quick tips to reduce your home's CO₂ emissions, as well as lowering your energy bills:

Invest in double glazing in your home

• Turn off all appliances (from the socket) when not in use
• Replace domestic and electrical equipment with energy efficient recommended models
• Insulate your home: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and simple draught excluders

More recently, Home Information Packs have been introduced in England and Wales, and within them, an energy performance certificate which gives your home an energy rating between A to H. This should make energy efficiency a more important factor to take into consideration when buying a home.

Make Your Lifestyle Greener

Everything we do in our day to day lives emits CO2 into the atmosphere. That means that even making small changes in what we do, or how we do it, can have a positive impact in preventing the onset of climate change. Collectively we can make a difference. Here are a few tips:

• Holidays: don't fly, take a train or alternative transport method
• Shopping: minimise the number of shopping trips you take by planning ahead and writing a list
• Nightlife: walk to your local facilities rather than taking the car
• Sport: try cycling, walking or running to get from A to B

Change Your Habits At Work

Don't leave your good environmental habits at home - take them into the office too. Take public transport to work or walk rather than take your car, or share car journeys with colleagues. Turn off appliances, equipment and lights off when you've finished using them, and, importantly, shut down your computer rather than just logging off. And for the things you can't change - speak to the person who can to see if your employers have a green and environmental policy in place.

Eat less meat

According to a report published by the Worldwatch Institute, 51 percent or more of global greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture. The release of methane and nitrous oxide (from manure, and urine from farmed animals) into the atmosphere are both contributory factors. Therefore, one of the most effective steps we can take is help combat climate change is to stop eating meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Educate Future Generations

Preventing climate change in the future is down to the actions and opinions of future generations - meaning now is the time to start educating our children about climate change and its effects. This can be done at school, by parents and every simply through leading by example. If you have children, get them involved in making your lives greener. Give them the responsibility to make sure lights and plugs are turned off in their rooms each time, get them involved in recycling and other green initiatives, rewarding them for their good work.