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Abstract
Through extensive research and findings, the causes, impacts, and solutions
of climate change are discussed in this paper. Compiled research from
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NASA, U.S Department of Energy, EPA and various news paper articles are
referenced. Also, discussion on The Greenhouse Effect, burning of fossil
fuels and other causes of climate change are thoroughly analyzed. Not only
causes, but impacts on the world from rising sea levels, temperatures, and
changes in weather are also analyzed. Renewable energy sources and
efforts to combat climate change from a political standpoint are also
discussed.
Lit Review
There is unlimited research out there about climate change. If you
google it, millions of blogs and websites will be thrown at you to try and sway
your opinion one way or the other. The information I am giving you in this
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report is from reliable news forums, government reports, and articles from
websites such as NASA. With this information, I will be categorizing the
research into causes of climate change, impacts of climate change, and the
different political views about the issue.
Many people believe climate change is due to the natural warming and
cooling cycle of the earth, called the Planck Response. An article from NASA
(2016) states, Global temperatures remain stable in the long run unless
they are pushed by outside forces, such as increased greenhouse gases due
to human impacts. In saying this, the point being made here is clear global
temperatures will remain stable, only as long as no outside forces are acting
upon it.
When I say many people believe global warming is due to the Planck
Response, I am mostly referring to the people with more conservative views.
With research to back up the point, a poll done from Pew research center
(2015) states, 2/3 of conservative republicans believe global warming is not
happening, or not happening because of the greenhouse effect. From the
same study, 64% of Democrats say climate change is at the fault of humans.
Are politics the barrier that is keeping us from coming up with a solution to
the earths rising temperatures? An article from the Washington Post (2015)
states, There are more republicans who are starting to believe climate
change is a real problem, they may be a lonely few, but they are out
there.
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absorbed by greenhouse gases and radiated back towards the surface. This
is a common argument called the greenhouse effect. The earth cannot cool
itself anymore because of the excess of greenhouse gasses in the air. Gases
such as carbon dioxide and methane have a very high concentration in the
atmosphere today (because of the burning of fossil fuels, which give off
these gases.) Gases such as Methane and Carbon Dioxide prevent heat from
escaping, which is why many scientists think the greenhouse effect is the
main cause for global warming.
Climate change has been a hot topic arising over the recent years. You
could call the issue of climate change a tragedy of the commons. This
dilemma has officials having a hard time coming to a common consensus
over what the best solution is. Furthermore, controversy whether it is real, a
myth, or just a flat out lie have been circulating. I will be discussing what
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climate change is, some solutions suggested, and the views of climate
change from the different political parties.
So what is climate change anyway? Climate change, or global
warming (which can be used interchangeably) is the warming of the earth,
by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air, and the burning of fossil
fuels. The earths temperature has risen by 1.5 degrees in the past century.
This number is expected to keep rising according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. The effects of global warming are being seen throughout
the world.
Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods,
droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat
waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some
big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps
are melting, and sea levels are rising. (EPA, 2015).
The earth has gone through periods of warming and cooling, each lasting
thousands of years. This period of warming can cause devastating impacts,
with glaciers disappearing and the increasing use of fossil fuels.
I have done many research projects about climate change. Even
though all of my projects have been somewhat recent, they all say virtually
the same thing. When you look at the arguments from both sides, one side
clearly wins. I have done a copious amount of research to know the
arguments of both sides. I have considered both sides, but in the end it only
makes sense global warming is real and not a hoax.
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after the United States signed the bill Kyoto Protocol in 1997. This was a bill
regarding reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the air, saying human
activity was partially contributing to global warming (Dunlap, 2008).
Republicans started questioning what the exact role of this bill was.
Republicans started criticizing the purpose of this bill saying it was not
needed. They did not only criticize the bill, but also started not believing in
global warming, saying it was so called a hoax.
Politicians around the world are disagreeing on the issue and its
impacts. Some believe the earth rising just a few degrees will not make
much of a difference, while others believe the issue needs to be addressed
immediately. There has been a recent effort to address this problem in Paris,
France. Last year, the United Nations Climate Change Conference was held.
The United Nations is working with the French government to come up with a
binding agreement on reducing carbon emissions. A recent article talks
about how they are close to making a decision. There are many ideas being
discussed about what needs to be in this treaty. One of them is developed
countries such as Australia and the United States need to start recording
their carbon emissions in some shape or form. Underdeveloped countries
are insisting funding to help reduce their emissions and provide green
resources for their citizens. (Taylor, 2015).
Not all republicans feel this way, but the gap between republicans and
democrats is significant enough to see a noticeable difference. On the other
end of the spectrum, democrats have a different view on the situation.
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question. How are we going to fix it? It may seem like a problem so big it
may be impossible to fix, but there are options.
There are agencies that are carefully planning and taking initiative to
come up with ways to combat climate change. Agencies such as NASA, U.S
Department of Energy, The Environmental Protection Agency, and more are
all working together. The Department of energy says Were taking
responsible steps to cut carbon pollution, develop domestic renewable
energy production and win the global race for clean energy innovation. Were
also working to dramatically increase the efficiency
of appliances, homes, businesses and vehicles -- all in support of the
Presidents Climate Action Plan. (Energy, 2016)
With the dispute over climate change, it makes coming up with a plan
much harder. Some of the agencies taking initiative are getting attacked
because using time and resources on a fake problem is a waste. Earlier in
the paper the consequences were revealed. Still, individuals are hesitant to
try and come up with a plan.
This is not an issue that can be changed over night. U.S Department of
Energy says it will take several decades before we start to see a real change.
The good news is solar energy, wind energy, and other renewables are
becoming more and more cost competitive. As people start to switch over to
renewable energy alternatives, is when we will see a difference.
You might be thinking of specific things you can do. To cut down on the
amount you personally are emitting into the air, there are many things you
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can do. Some of these include: riding your bike, taking the bus, cutting down
on heat and air-conditioning use, etc. Just with small changes in your
everyday life, differences can be made.
Switching over to renewable energy sources can and will make a huge
difference. Less fossil fuels will be burned, meaning less greenhouse gas
emissions. Although renewable energy sources are a little more expensive
than your everyday heating and cooling systems, the benefits outweigh the
costs in this situation. If we all make an effort to switch to renewable energy,
it is a very doable task.
As shown in this paper the extent of climate change will be devastating
on a large scale. We are now starting to see the impacts in our lifetime, such
as intense wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, etc. This is not a problem that can
be changed over night, but small steps can put us on the right track to
saving our world. With the way things are going right now we are putting us,
future generations, and our planet at risk for serious trouble. Many people
do not know the extent of damage climate change is causing. I encourage
you to go out and spread awareness and join the effort to save our planet.
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http://www.environmentmagazine.org/archives/back%20issues/septemberoctober%202008/dunlap-full.html.
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(2016). The Consequences of Climate Change. Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, Retrieved from
http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
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