Tuaha Khan 1

Homework 7: Sustainability
Table 1 - Personal Carbon Foot Print using Carbon Calculator from www.greenmountain.com

Category CO2 Emissions/ Metric Tons

Vehicles 5.08

Electricity 7.06

Traveling 1.53

Heating 3.98

Total 17.65

Global warming is a phenomenon defined as the increase in average temperature of Earths atmosphere and oceans. The factor that contributes the most to this rise in temperature is the Greenhouse Effect. Greenhouse effect is when certain atmospheric gasses like water vapors, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone absorb the thermal radiations emitted from the Earths land in the form of heat energy and re-emits some amount back to the surface. Heat energy gets trapped in the cycle contributing to higher temperatures in the troposphere. [1, pg. 1] Despite the possible hazards of excessive global warming the greenhouse effect is essential for our planets survival. The greenhouse effect keeps the earth warmer, at an average temperature of 15C, as compared to what it would have been without the presence of the greenhouse gasses, a freezing -18C. [2, pg. 1] The causes for global warming are both natural and manmade. Natural causes of global warming include volcanic eruptions which release ash and sulfate gas into our atmosphere which in turn prevent sunlight from reaching the earths surface causing an overall decrease in temperature of the surface. [3, pg. 6] Other causes may include the variation in the amount of nuclear fission on the surface of the sun known as sun spots, as well as the changes in the Earths orbit and orientations causing more or less heat energy to reach the Earths Surface. [1, pg. 1] One of the most predominant manmade contributions to the global warming is the burning of organic compounds for energy purposes which releases greenhouses gasses like carbon dioxide into our environment resulting in an increase in the greenhouse effect. [4, pg.1] Some solutions to these problems include cutting down on the greenhouse gas emissions by employing cutting edge technology where these harmful gases are being released in our environment freely. Other solution may be to reduce the level of carbon dioxide gas already present in our atmosphere by planting more trees which convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. This can be done by stopping further deforestation to fuel the industry and carry out reforestation on massive scale. [4, pg. 1] References: 1. Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health, Ecosystems: Hazards to Our World Global Warming. Available from PEER, http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum _modules/ecosystems/Hazards/global_warming.htm (accessed 30 November 2011). 2. Kushnir, Yochanan, Solar Radiation and the Earths Energy balance. (2000) Available from Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, http://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/ ees/climate/lectures/radiation/ (accessed 30 November 2011). 3. National Academy of Science, Volcanic Eruptions. Available from Marian Koshland Science Museum Website, http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/ causes06.jsp (accessed 30 November 2011). 4. National Geographic, Global Warming Solutions. Available from National Geographic Website, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gwsolutions/ (accessed 30 November 2011)