Nama : Etika Septiawati
NPM : 2212569
Kelas : 3eb23
Our
planet’s atmosphere is warming up rapidly. Researchers are certain that
emissions from human activities have caused this unnatural change. Using the
latest computer models, their forecast are worrisome of what might global
warming mean to our planet. Fortunately, everyone can be a part of the solution
in slowing down global warming. It requires strong commitment from big
corporations down to everyday people. This combined effort can make a
significant difference.
Global
warming is the warming near the earth's surface that results when the earth's
atmosphere traps the sun's heat. The earth is getting warmer. The changes are
small, so far, but they are expected to grow and speed up. Within the next
fifty to one hundred years, the earth may be hotter than it has been in the
past million years. As oceans warm and glaciers melt, land and cities along
coasts may be flooded. Heat and drought may cause forests to die and food crops
to fail.
The
Earth’s average temperature is slowly rising, causing shorter and milder winter
seasons in various countries around the world. But understanding global warming
is nearly impossible without also having a base knowledge of another
phenomenon: the Greenhouse Effect. Greenhouse gases are building up in our
planet’s atmosphere and are acting like a blanket – trapping in heat that would
otherwise be released back out into space. This is why global temperatures are
rising.
There
are many gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, but many are natural and harmless.
CO2, however, is not healthy for the atmosphere. CO2 remains in the atmosphere
longer than other gases and traps in heat extremely well. Even a slight
increase in CO2 in the atmosphere can cause significant increases in global
temperatures.
Most
CO2 emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels. Cars and other vehicles
can produce up to 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually, and coal-burning power
plants can produce 2.5 billion tons. Sadly, the United States is responsible
for a great deal of these emissions. And though the U.S. is doing their best to
rectify this problem by lowering their emission rates, other countries are
doing the opposite.
One
major cause of global warming is the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels like
coal, oil, and natural gas that were formed from the remains of plant material
deposited during the earth's carboniferous period. We have known for only a few
thousand years that coal, oil, and natural gas can be burned to provide energy.
It was not until the mid-1800s, however, that we began to burn very large
quantities of these fossil fuels. The worldwide consumption of fossil fuel has
increased dramatically.
The
world now burns at least five billion tons of fossil fuel each year. As this
carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels enters the atmosphere, some of it is
taken up by photosynthesizing plants, and the oceans absorb some. But because
we are burning so much fossil fuel at such a rapid rate, we are putting carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than these natural processes are taking
it out. There is no longer a balance between the amount of carbon dioxide being
added to the air and the amount of carbon dioxide being removed. As a result,
the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is steadily increasing.
Global
warming has been linked to the increase in wildfires and floods. It has been
seen as the cause of rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes. Heat waves in
Europe in 2003 led to the death of 20,000 people and over a thousand people in
India. Also, the Arctic’s polar ice caps are melting at a rate of 9% every
decade. Animals, such as polar bears, are losing their habitats and may end up
extinct.
Another
source of methane is methane clathrate, a compound containing large amounts of
methane trapped in the crystal structure of ice. As methane escapes from the
Arctic seabed, the rate of global warming will increase significantly. Ice caps
and glaciers reflect sunlight, bouncing high temperature sun -rays back into
space away from the Earth. When these icecaps are removed the earth gets warmer
as the dark oceans absorb much thermal radiation from the sun.
Some
regions may be wet with rain and some areas will suffer drought due to global
warming. The climatic changes happen due to global warming. Seasonal changes
are unpredictable unexpected thunderstorms might result as mentioned earlier. The
burning of wood (should be reduced to a greater extent) releases oxidizable
carbon to the atmosphere whose presence in greater amount causes the elevation
of temperature.
There
is strong evidence that emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the major
cause of the recent abnormal warming. Like carbon CFC do not trap heat but in the
presence of UV rays the chlorine gets detached from CFC, drifts up into the
stratosphere and these unattached chlorines catalytically convert Ozone
molecules into Oxygen molecules depleting the ozone layer.
There
are solutions to global warming, thankfully. Scientists and governments are
working together to create ‘greener’ alternatives to daily life. People don’t
have to give up their vehicles, but they may decide to choose hybrid cars
instead of ones that rely solely on fossil fuels. Wind turbines and other
sources of renewable energy can prevent the burning of coal, which is a major
contributor to CO2. Global warming is not a problem that cannot be solved, but
it is an issue that governments and average people need to be aware of in order
to protect the people, animals, and habitats of planet Earth.
All
of us can play vital part of the climate change solution. As a citizen, you can
ensure that governments recognize the importance of global warming and follow
through on their promises. As a consumer, you can support companies that are
making the biggest strides in fighting climate change and encourage other companies
to make reducing greenhouse gases a priority
You
can also make many changes in your daily life some that seem small, some less
so — that cut back on the carbon emissions for which you’re responsible. You’re
probably already familiar with many of the little steps you can take to be more
climate friendly:
Making
your home more energy efficient: Better insulate your roof, basement, and
walls; seal your windows; and replace your old light bulbs with compact
fluorescent bulbs.
Reducing
the amount of garbage you produce: Take a reusable bag with you when you shop,
buy unpackaged goods, and recycle and reuse materials.
Using
energy wisely: Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them, use
the air conditioner less in the summer, and turn down the heat in the winter.
Adapting
to changes already underway: As the Climate Hot Map demonstrates, the impacts
of a warming world are already being felt by people around the globe. If
climate change continues unchecked, these impacts are almost certain to get
worse. From sea level rise to heat waves, from extreme weather to disease
outbreaks, each unique challenge requires locally-suitable solutions to prepare
for and respond to the impacts of global warming. Unfortunately, those who will
be hit hardest and first by the impacts of a changing climate are likely to be
the poor and vulnerable, especially those in the least developed countries.
Developed countries must take a leadership role in providing financial and
technical help for adaptation.
