Sunday, March 29, 2020

Global Warming Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation

Global warming is the average increase in the atmospheric temperature caused by natural and human causes. It results from increased greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere (IPCC, 2006). Emission in the atmosphere can be reduced by a decrease of fossil fuel consumption.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Global Warming: Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, reduction in fossil fuel consumption leads to a reduction of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere. Moreover, reduction of these gases keeps the effects of climate change within manageable levels. The adoption of efficient energy can also be used to mitigate global warming. Motivations to improve energy efficiency involve sustainable energy use. Advantages of improving energy efficiency include reducing energy costs, which results in financial cost saving through the implementation of energy efficient technol ogies. In addition, the use of efficient energy methods also leads to a reduction and control of global emission and concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Efficient energy and renewable energy are two crucial pillars of sustainable energy policy. Increased use of efficient energy plays a crucial role in productivity growth (IPCC, 2006). Renewable energy sources are particularly essential in providing energy access, as well as a reduction in green house gas emission in the atmosphere. Therefore, renewable energy helps in enhancing energy security. It is also helpful in accelerating economic growth and development. Another cause of global warming is deforestation. According to Hassenzahl (2008), trees use of 50% of carbon in the atmosphere. When they are cut down, the carbon dioxide that is stored in them escapes back into the atmosphere leading to increased concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere. Reduction of deforestation leads to a reduction in carbon-d ioxide concentration in the atmosphere, thus reducing global warming. Sustainable agriculture, which makes use of organic carbon, has been advocated by IPCC as an important option in reducing global warming. It also minimizes transportation cost of fossil fuels leading to reduction in green house gas emission (Hassenzahl, 2008).Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Population growth leads to multiple environmental problems. It has led to the clearance of rainforests hence, leading to green house gas emissions. Reduction in population growth leads to a reduction in use of fossil fuel and reduced deforestation rate. In addition, it leads to a reduction in the consumption levels, thus minimizing devastating effects on the environment. All these measures contribute to sustainable development and leads to a wise use of natural resources (Hassenzahl, 2008). Households air pollution c ome from petrochemicals, coal and wood products, tobacco products, building equipments and furnishings, asbestos having insulations, furniture, and household cleaning products, humidification devices, pesticides and insecticides. Health problems associated with indoor air pollution includes; respiratory health diseases, cancer, respiratory track diseases among infants, suffocation, and death. However, there are topographical factors that can lead to an increase or a decrease in air pollution. For example, mountains and hills can block wind flow and trap pollutants in the atmosphere for several days. On the other hand, mountains and hills can block the sun’s rays and assist in the dispersal of air pollutants. Earths’ sustainable agriculture is a farming system that can meet the needs of society indefinitely (Hassenzahl, 2008). Such farming systems ensure conservation of resources, and; therefore, governments should provide incentives to farmers to adapt this technology. This can be achieved by phasing out tax breaks and subsidies to encourage farmers to switch to sustainable farming. In addition, imposition of higher taxes and reduction of subsidies can discourage farmers from using unsustainable farming practices. References Hassenzahl, M. D. (2008). Environment. New York: Wiley and Sons IPCC., (2006). Climate Change. Impacts, adaptations and mitigation of climate change:Â  Scientific technical analysis, contribution of working group II to the second assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Geneva. Switzerland. This essay on Global Warming: Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation was written and submitted by user Jared Gallagher to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Asian Brown Cloud essays

Asian Brown Cloud essays The report by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on the three-kilometre brown cloud hanging over Asia zeroes in on this kind of fuel burning as the source of the cloud that is disrupting monsoons, lowering agricultural output and creating air pollution leading to respiratory diseases. "The big problem here could be cooking at home," says Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen of the Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany. Crutzen won the Nobel Prize for his work on discovering the ozone hole. It is a problem that will now have to be addressed by governments in South Asia, says Prof V. Ramanathan of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, one of the leading scientists involved in the study, conducted between 1995 and 1999 at a cost of about $40 million. "The sliver lining to this cloud is that it can be tackled relatively soon if the correct policy decisions are taken," he says. The Supreme Court of India took the lead in introducing compressed Natural gas (CNG) in buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws in the country. But the court had no idea of the magnitude of the cloud hanging overhead which its order could do nothing to remove. The cloud cannot be tackled at the level of handling pollution in New Delhi or some other cities. Ramantahan says: "We are seeing great variation in this cloud not just across Asia but over parts of India as well." The Asian Brown Cloud, as the scientists are calling it, "should not be seen as something static," he said. "It is moving about all the time." Scientists indicate a revolution of lifestyles will be needed across India, Pakistan and China acting together. This will mean common policies against burning of fossil fuels, of agricultural wastes, against emissions from industries and power stations, and above all, against emissions from the millions of inefficient cookers in homes using fuels like wood and cow dung. The brown clouds these fuels have created over Asia have ...