Table of Contents
When comparing the natural and anthropogenic changes in climate, in natural, sun is said to be responsible for global warming. It is believed that the warming from the sun is the one that triggers the release of the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane which in turn amplifies what is known as the orbital warming. It, therefore, means that the cycle of the natural climate is because of the orbital changes and the greenhouse gases. The argument is that these natural changes have been taking place for over million years before humans came into the mix.
In the end, scientist argues that human beings are responsible for fuelling the process of global warming. On the other hand, anthropogenic climate change is associated with the production of greenhouse gases that are being released into the atmosphere through human activities. Through the examination of the polar ice cores, scientists have proved that the activities that human beings carry out have increased the rate of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and it has been evident over the past years (Matthews, et al, 2014).
There is a lot of evidence that can prove that global warming is taking place. The first evident is based on the unpredictable weather change that has been experiencing over the past decades and severe storms that have taken place, for instance, the Katrina storm. According to the research that has been conducted by scientists, it shows that human greenhouse gas that is emitted is heating the planet, the models of climate on regular occasions indicates that the warming caused by the emission has led to the increase in the frequency and the intensity of tropical cyclones. Between the period of 1975 to 2004, there have two hundred and seventy of category four and five hurricanes this shows that the climate models and human are responsible for the climate change (Vardiman, 2007).
The size of the Arctic ice cap has also reduced this is a result of the human-produced greenhouse gases plus the smoke that is caused by deforestation and burning of fossils fuels. The significance of the ice cap is to reflect the energy from the sun away from the earth’s surface. The absence of this reflection caused by ice cap will lead to high temperatures and severe storms and droughts. Another one is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. According to scientist Vardiman, (2007) he has proven that the amount carbon dioxide gas that is being emitted into the atmosphere can measure up to ninety million tons in a day. This causes the subsurface ocean temperature and the air temperature to increase leading to the current increase in temperature.
The two current mitigation strategies for global warming would be carbon tax and coal gasification. The carbon tax is money imposed on companies depending on the amount of carbon dioxide gas that they emit into the atmosphere from the fossil fuel. The reason for this type of tax is to discourage companies from emitting a lot of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere (Andrew, 2008). On the other hand, it encourages the companies in question on the conservative measure to be taken when burning fossil fuel. The method is effective since most companies fear to spend on projects that do not generate revenue to the organization. The method has been applied successfully in countries like Denmark and Norway. The cost of implementing this policy is not high, so this makes it of the most effective ways of a mitigation strategy (Andrew, 2008).
Another method would be coal gasification. Coal gasification is the process of converting coal that is in the form o solid to a synthetic natural gas or a gaseous mixture that be burned as a fuel. It has been selected as one of the best methods of mitigation by scientists. The reason why it is considered so is that of its ability to be renewed. This helps on conserving energy that is released into the atmosphere and turns to be harmful and causing global warming. It is also effective due to its renewable ability, and many industries have started using the policy (Adams, et al, 2011).
One of the policy changes that I will create to stabilize the global climate would be to tax the industries that produces a lot of carbon into the air. The levied tax would be based on the amount of carbon dioxide that a company or a business releases into the atmosphere. The money collected in the form of tax would then be used in funding research on the options that can be used by these companies to stop realising the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a measure of mitigating global warming. This research will not only benefit the environmental department but also the industries since they will learn new methods of production that would be environmentally friendly (Andrew, 2008).
Conclusion
There are different causes of global warming based on natural and human activities. Everybody is responsible for the climatic changes that are being experienced currently; it is therefore upon human beings to take precautionary measures in protecting the earth against global warming. Despite the studies that are being carried out by scientists, everyone should be involved in making sure that all the safety measures that have been put in place to protect the environment are followed.
- Adams, T. A., & Barton, P. I. (2011). Combining coal gasification and natural gas reforming for efficient polygeneration. Fuel Processing Technology, 92(3), 639-655.
- Andrew, B. (2008). Market failure, government failure and externalities in climate change mitigation: the case for a carbon tax. Public administration and development, 28(5), 393-401.
- Matthews, H. D., Weaver, A. J., Meissner, K. J., Gillett, N. P., & Eby, M. (2004). Natural and anthropogenic climate change: incorporating historical land cover change, vegetation dynamics and the global carbon cycle. Climate Dynamics, 22(5), 461-479.
- Vardiman, L. (2007). Evidence for Global Warming. Institute for Creation Research.