Global Warming Solutions Essay
Global Warming SolutionsFossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are the major culprits of the global warming controversy and happen also to be the principal energy sources for both rich and poor countries. Governments of the industrial countries have generally accepted the position, promoted by the IPCC, that humankind’s use of fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming, and in 1997 they forged an international agreement (the Kyoto Climate Change Protocol) mandating that worldwide fossil fuel use be drastically reduced as a precaution against future warming. In contrast, the developing nations for the most part do not accept global warming as a high-priority issue and, as yet, are not subject to the Kyoto agreement. Thus, the affluent nations and the developing nations have set themselves on a collision course over environmental policy relating to fossil fuel use.According to Gelbspan (2001), solution to global warming is as simple as it is overwhelming. He suggested that we should allow our inflamed climate to restabilize by emission reduction of 70 percent.
And that implies a rapid global energy transition to high-efficiency and renewable energy sources. Those sources exist today, and these are capable of providing all the energy we use and more. Also, a worldwide effort should be undertaken in the planet with climate-friendly energy sources would result in an enormous economic boom.On the individual level, the U.S. EPA Website suggested what people can do inside their homes, outside in the yard, when at the store, while on the road and even when considering major investments. For example, by cutting our utility bills in purchasing energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and other home equipment and products.
The average house is responsible for more air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions than in an average car. The EPA Website claimed that these suggestions are smart money-savers to reduce your use of energy and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide — a major contributor to global warming-and other atmospheric gases that trap the heat of the Earth. Even if we do only about one-third of the actions on their list, we can reduce your emissions of heat-trapping “greenhouse gases” like carbon dioxide by 12,280 pounds per year.According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2006), cars and trucks are the significant source (25 percent) of U.S.
carbon dioxide emissions and serious efforts are needed to reduce their emissions to deter global warming. Because US emissions of heat-trapping gases are so high, the site suggested special responsibilities to work to reduce the threat of global warming: 1.) Using energy more efficiently and moving to renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and bioenergy) would significantly reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases2.) A serious effort to address global warming must reduce emissions from cars and trucks. Many technologies already exist that can do this, while also creating new jobs in the U.S. automotive sector and other industries throughout the country3.) By putting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and vehicle technology solutions in place at the federal level, we can reduce our contribution to global warming while creating a stronger, healthier, and more secure nation.
In our group, we suggested that widespread information about energy conservation and the ill effects of global warming should be taught in schools around the world. This is because awareness is the key for people to act on preventing global warming on their own. People should also be aware of using products that has CFCs, which is the main culprit of the ozone depletion. People should find alternative products that is environmentally-friendly so that companies that produce it will be forced to improve their products to become environmentally friendly too. Global warming entails global efforts and we have to work as one to protect the one planet we are living in.Works CitedGelbspan, Ross.
Global Warming Is a Serious Environmental Threat. The Environment. Ed. William Dudley. (San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001).
Union of Concerned Scientists. Global Warming. Retrieved 23 August 2006 http://www.ucsusa.
org/global_warming/United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Global Warming Site. Retrieved 23 August 2006 at http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html;