Essay on Climate Change Due to Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Introduction

The buildup in the greenhouses gases is worsening and the world is facing an irreversible situation unless countries agree to take actions to drastically reduce the emissions. The current changes in the sea level rise are as a result of global warming. The situation has caused flooding and the melting of glaciers. Additionally, the increase in carbon emission has led to an increase in the temperature which has resulted in famine in many parts of the world. There has also been an increase in the size of the deserts which has been attributed to a sudden rise in temperature. The shift in the rainfall patterns have also been attributed to the rise is carbon emission a situation that may be irreversible (Solomon et al). The climate changes that have been brought about by greenhouse gases may persist for more than 1000 years. Even if people suddenly stopped emitting carbon dioxide, by stopping the use of fossil fuels or burning coal, the climate change will see little change.

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A model was used by Solomon and her co-authors to demonstrate what would happen if carbon emissions were increased rapidly and then suddenly stopped. The study found that although the carbon emission was cut off, its reduction from the environment will take a long time to clear. The study cautions peoples against allowing the co2 which is at 385 parts per million to exceed that content. The study found that not only do some gases persist for decades but the earth will also remain warmer and the sea levels high despite the drop in the CO2. One of the reasons why this may occur is because it is the ocean which currently buffers climate change. Most of the CO2 emitted by humans is currently being removed from the environment by being absorbed by the ocean.

The oceans ability to absorb carbon dioxide has a limit and when this threshold is reached, the absorption rate will slow down. As the oceans ability to absorb excess gas reduces so does its ability to absorb the excess heat. The phenomenal will lead to the atmospheric temperature to stay constant for a millennium (Solomon et al). In one of the scenarios, the authors allowed the carbon dioxide to peak up to 600 parts per million before they cut the emission. The result of a persistent decrease in the dry season rainfall in several areas. Most of the affected areas included; North America, South Africa, Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Western Australia. The effect of the scenario lasted beyond the year 3000. Such an impact on the environment will result in the reduction of water supply, increase in fire frequency and expanding of deserts.

Conclusion

The world needs to have an unprecedented action that would reduce carbon emission if they intend to have an impact on global warming. The more people emit greenhouse gases the more the problem will persist. There is a possibility of severe and irreversible consequences if the world does not act to solve the problem. The duty of the government at the moment is taking measures that will slow down the current emissions, therefore, reduce global warming. According to the article, the chance to reduce global warming in a cost-effective way is quickly reducing. T is therefore prudent to act fast before things escalate further.

References

Solomon, S., Plattner, G., Knutti, R., & Friedlingstein, P. (2009). Irreversible climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(6), 1704-1709. doi:10.1073/pnas.0812721106