Global warming can be described as the gradual buildup of the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that are primarily linked and attributed to increase in the levels of greenhouse gases. Despite the fact that several notions have been raised to deny the relationship between human activities and the issue of global warming, there is little proof to deny that. We all understand there are simple activities such as driving heavy SUV cars that cannot contribute directly to the global warming. However, we it is logical to state that industrialization that is now considered as the main economic drivers in all world countries has been the core contribution factor that has led to the increase in the amount of heat that is currently being experienced in the earth’s atmosphere According to Pappis, “all current human activities that are conducted day in day out require the use of energy” (3) Thus, the fact that we are still steps away from achieving clean energy means that we contribute to global warming in one way or another.
Suzuki clarifies that it is extremely devastating to state that nine out of the eleven hot years that have been recorded at the course of this century do not portray a natural trend if they are to be analyzed and traced back from 1985 (11). For instance, the rate by which glacier shrinkage is being experienced on the surface of the earth is relatively higher and more than the way a natural trend should appear. Despite the fact that natural phenomenon such as volcanoes can also contribute to the general increase in the amount of heat on the surface of the earth, they do not occur on frequent basis and could possibly take decades and even centuries before they are recorded.
Pappis maintains that the current figures do not provide a clear natural trend given the way human beings have inhabited the earth for hundreds of thousands of years now (4). Another evidence that could link human activities with the increase in the amount of heat that is currently addressed as problematic is the fact that global warming started to become a major issue after industrial revolution when mankind began to burn fossil fuels. Thus, the fact that human population is also on the rise means that the rate of temperature buildup is likely to continue growing entering into the future. On that regard, it is reasonable to state that as far as we have to address the issue of global warming, we should prioritize attending to human activities at the expense of natural phenomenon.
Pearce and van den Bergh note that apart from that improper environmental management measures have also contributed greatly to the ongoing global warming crisis that has become an international concern (450). For instance, Alison Canyon massive gas leak is also an issue of environmental concern that triggered a lot of adverse effects. More specifically, the gas leak led to negative effects on air, soil, and water. It also affected human beings amongst other devastating effects. Since 23rd October 2015, a massive amount of natural gas has been leaked into the atmosphere by the SoCal gas storage facility in Canyon, California State. Yilmaz and Hikmet verifies that this natural gas leak comes from over 4.5 million cars a day, which accounts for roughly 125,000 pounds of methane per hour (7). Thus, should proper intervention measures are put in place; they could be very significant in ensuring that the issue is contained whatsoever.
Dauvergne asserts that the recent 2016 record January heat is a clear sign of another hot year and primary sign of the extent by which global warming is affecting the earth (2). The essence of using the current weather trends to predict the upcoming climatic patterns of the year is indeed a remarkable idea. Therefore, the current NASA’s report that a relatively high temperature which was recorded in January foretells a hot year is a rationale piece of thinking. In their report, the NASA stipulated that the recorded temperature was abnormally 1.13 degrees Celsius higher than the mean temperature for the years between 1951 and 1980. Nonetheless, the abnormal temperature rise is the greatest temperature to have been registered since the NASA started to keep weather records back in 1980.
Seinfeld and Spyros present arguments to emphasize that the alarming temperature rise of January provides a remarkable platform for predicting a hotter 2016 in contrast to the year 2015 (6). In fact, it will not be a surprise to record another record breaking temperature in the year 2016 since the levels of greenhouse gases have been in tremendous rise lately. Despite the fact that it is still early to predict the temperature pattern of the year, the observation will be typically essential in offering a rough idea of what is expected. Nonetheless, whether 2016 will be a hot year or not, it will be essentially important to make appropriate intervention to contain the situation.
In conclusion, it is precise that a hot 2016 will essentially go hand in hand with unprecedented melting of sea ice, continuing El Nino, and cooler temperatures amongst other devastating effects. Perhaps, predicting the climatic patterns of different regions can be extremely difficult at times. Nonetheless, it is typically advisable to foretell the trending weather patterns because they affect the coexistence of human race in one way or another. However, it is relatively sad to associate such life threatening circumstances with human beings. Consequently, people should uphold integrity and environmental responsibilities in their undertakings to ensure that they promote human existence and prevent devastating climate change.
- Dauvergne, Peter, ed. Handbook of global environmental politics. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012.
- Pappis, Costas P., ed. Climate Change, Supply Chain Management and Enterprise Adaptation: Implications of Global Warming on the Economy: Implications of Global Warming on the Economy. IGI Global, 2010.
- Pearce, David, and J. C. J. M. van den Bergh. “Economic analysis of global environmental issues: global warming, stratospheric ozone and biodiversity.” Handbook of environmental and resource economics (2002): 488-504.
- Seinfeld, John H., and Spyros N. Pandis. Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
- Suzuki, Keisuke. Effects of global warming on climate conditions in the Japanese Alps region. INTECH Open Access Publisher, 2011.
- Yilmaz, Ayse Kucuk, and Hikmet Karakoc. “Sustainability management based approach to global warming.” Journal of Management Research 1.1 (2008).
