Krista Charles

Debate Assignment

 

Global warming threatens civilization.  Because human activity makes a significant contribution to this trend, significant policy action is needed.

 

GLOBAL WARMING INFORMATION

 

WEBSITES:  http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html

 

  • What is Global Warming?
    Global warming refers to an expected rise in global average temperature due to the continued emission of greenhouse gases produced by industry and agriculture which trap heat in the atmosphere. Higher temperatures are expected to be accompanied by changing patterns of precipitation frequency and intensity, changes in soil moisture, and a rise of the global sea level.
    Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere act like the glass in the greenhouse: they are transparent to sunlight, which warms the Earth, but they prevent some heat from escaping into space, keeping Earth warmer than it otherwise would be. A majority of this greenhouse effect is natural, maintaining Earth's average temperature at about 60ºF (15ºC). Without the natural greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be closer to 0ºF (-18ºC).
  • Global Warming: Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities.
  • The combustion of fossil fuels to drive vehicles and generate electricity is the predominant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Using energy more efficiently and using cleaner sources helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen global warming. 

Energy efficiency means making the most out of each unit of energy. By using energy efficient technologies, you can use less fuel and create fewer emissions to do the same amount of work -- and you don't have to turn off the lights. The efficient use and generation of energy can lower consumption, reduce costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions without the sacrifice of comfort. Cars, appliances, lights, and heating and cooling systems can all be used more efficiently than they are today, with technology that already exists.

  • The atmospheric concentrations of several greenhouse gases are rising as a result of human activity. Carbon dioxide, the most important human-made greenhouse gas, is released primarily by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Its concentration has risen by nearly 30% over its value in pre-industrial times. Concentrations of other greenhouse gases have also risen; methane levels have more than doubled and nitrous oxide levels are increasing as well.
  • There is a worldwide consensus among climate scientists that global average temperature will rise over the next 100 years if the release of greenhouse gases from human activity continues to grow. Assessments by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project that Earth could experience the fastest warming in the history of civilization during the 21st century. Specifically, according to the IPCC, Earth may warm by 1.8ºF to 6.3ºF by the end of the next century, potentially making it warmer than at any time since the evolution of modern humans.

 

Emissions

  • In the United States, approximately 6.6 tons (almost 15,000 pounds carbon equivalent) of greenhouse gases are emitted per person every year. And emissions per person have increased about 3.4% between 1990 and 1997. Most of these emissions, about 82%, are from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and power our cars. The remaining emissions are from methane from wastes in our landfills, raising livestock, natural gas pipelines, and coal, as well as from industrial chemicals and other sources.
  • The U.S. presently emits more greenhouse gases per person than any other country.
  • As an individual, you can affect the emissions of about 4,800 pounds of carbon equivalent, or nearly 32% of the total emissions per person, by the choices you make in three areas of your life. These areas are the electricity we use in our homes, the waste we produce, and personal transportation. The other 68% of emissions are affected more by the types of industries in the U.S., the types of offices we use, how our food is grown, and other factors.

 

IMPACTS

  • Rising global temperatures are expected to raise sea level, and change precipitation and other local climate conditions. Changing regional climate could alter forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It could also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand into existing rangelands, and features of some of our National Parks may be permanently altered.

 

  • According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.

 

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

  • Human Health

Climate change may affect people's health both directly and indirectly

            Directly: More hot days increases the possibility of heat related health problems.  heat stress and other heat related health problems are caused directly by very warm temperatures and high humidity.

            Indirectly: ecological disturbances, air pollution, changes in food and water supplies, and coastal flooding are all examples of possible impacts that might affect human health.

Ecological Systems

            Climate change may alter the world's habitats and ecosystems – all living things are included in and rely on these places.  A rapid change in climate could upset this balance and seriously endanger many living things.

Sea Level Rise

            Sea level may rise between several inches and as much as 3 feet during the next century. This will effect both natural systems and manmade structures along coastlines.

Crops and Food Supply
            Global warming might bring droughts to other places where we grow crops. In some parts of the world, people may not have enough to eat because they cannot grow the food that they need.

  • The Industrial Revolution was a time when people began using machines to make life easier. It started more than 200 years ago and changed the way humans live. Before the Industrial Revolution, human activity released very few gases into the atmosphere, but now through population growth, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation, we are affecting the mixture of gases in the atmosphere.
  • When Do You Send Greenhouse Gases into the Air?

Whenever you ...

 

·  Watch TV

·  Use the Air Conditioner

·  Turn on a Light

·  Use a Hair Dryer

·  Ride in a Car

·  Play a Video Game

·  Listen to a Stereo

·  Wash or Dry Clothes

·  Use a Dish Washer

·  Microwave a Meal

... you are helping to send greenhouse gas into the air. To perform many of these functions, you need to use electricity. Electricity comes from power plants. Most power plants use coal and oil to make electricity. Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases.

  • D I S E A S E S
    The geographic range and life-cycles of pathogens and vectors (e.g., mosquitos) that transmit disease are affected by climate. Climate change would, in aggregate, increase the potential transmission of many vector-borne diseases. Outbreaks of infectious diseases have been associated with specific weather patterns:
  • Malaria: hotter and more humid than usual
  • Hantavirus: six years of drought followed by warm, wet spring
  • St. Louis Encephalitis: warmer and wetter than usual in January and February; above normal temperatures in May through August; cooler than normal in April; abnormally dry in July