Global Climatic Change 8 By Joshua Rodge

GLOBAL CLIMATIC CHANGE 8 Global Climatic Change Joshua Rodgers Instructor Lyew-Armstrong, Ashford University GEN499: General Education Capstone December 10, 2018

The main cause of global climatic change lies in the expansion of the greenhouse effect, which is caused by humans. The greenhouse effect occurs when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from the Earth, leading to global warming. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have heightened this effect by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This escalation has resulted in adverse climate changes, including rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, and loss of biodiversity. This paper explores various scholarly sources that examine the multifaceted aspects of climate change, its causes—particularly globalization—and potential mitigation strategies.

Paper For Above instruction

Global climatic change is among the most pressing environmental issues of the twenty-first century, driven primarily by human-induced increases in greenhouse gases that intensify the greenhouse effect. The basic mechanism involves trapping solar radiation within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an overall increase in global temperatures. The expansion of this effect correlates directly with industrialization, energy consumption, and globalization, which have significantly altered natural balances.

The Underlying Causes of Climate Change

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the surge in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are mainly attributable to human activities, notably burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and industrial processes (NASA, 2018). The atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased from approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) before the industrial revolution to over 400 ppm today, intensifying the greenhouse effect (Meinshausen et al., 2009). Scientific research indicates that this trend is directly linked to rising global temperatures, with observable impacts that threaten global ecosystems and human livelihoods (Cline, 1992).

Impacts of Globalization on Climate Change

Globalization has played a dual role in exacerbating climate change. Westford Administrative (2016) highlights that increased international trade, industrialization, and urbanization driven by globalization have led to deforestation, increased resource extraction, and pollution. These activities have amplified greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. The transfer of manufacturing and manufacturing-related environmental degradation from developed to developing countries often circumvents environmental regulations, further aggravating ecological imbalances. Consequently, globalization accelerates environmental degradation through mechanisms such as large-scale agriculture, mining, and logging, which deplete natural resources and increase carbon footprints (Westford, 2016).

Scientific and Economic Perspectives on Climate Change

From a scientific standpoint, models such as the MAGICC 6.0 climate model, discussed by Meinshausen et al. (2009), project that limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C requires stringent emission reductions. These models estimate permissible emission budgets that, if adhered to, could reduce the probability of catastrophic climate impacts. Economically, Cline (1992) emphasizes that aggressive mitigation efforts entail significant costs; however, delaying action would lead to higher damages in the future, including agricultural losses, sea-level rise, and increased health hazards.

Mitigation and Policy Measures

Effective mitigation strategies include transition to renewable energy sources, enhancement of energy efficiency, adoption of sustainable land use practices, and international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement. The IPCC (Meinshausen et al., 2009) advocates for a collective global effort to reduce greenhouse emissions through policy frameworks that incentivize clean energy development and penalize emissions-intensive activities. Moreover, public awareness and behavioral changes are critical components of emission reduction efforts (NASA, 2018). Nevertheless, challenges persist due to economic disparities, political will, and vested interests that hinder comprehensive climate action.

The Role of Humanity and the Future Outlook

Addressing climate change necessitates a unified global commitment, recognizing that environmental issues transcend national borders. While technological innovations hold promise, their deployment must be complemented by policy reforms and societal shifts. As Westford (2016) notes, globalization can also facilitate the dissemination of green technologies and sustainable practices across countries. The urgency of the situation demands prompt, coordinated action to curb emissions, protect ecosystems, and ensure a sustainable future for subsequent generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, climate change driven by human activities and globalization presents complex environmental challenges. Scientific research underscores the importance of immediate emission reductions to limit global warming to manageable levels. Economic analyses suggest that investing in sustainable development is cost-effective in the long term. Ultimately, mitigating climate change requires collective responsibility, innovative policies, and a committed international community to safeguard the planet’s future.

References

• Cline, W. (1992). The economics of global warming. Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics.
• IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
• Meinshausen, M., Meinshausen, N., Hare, W., Raper, S., Frieler, K., Knutti, R., Frame, D., & Allen, R. M. (2009). Greenhouse gas emission targets for limiting global warming to 2°C. Nature, 458(7242), 1158-1162. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08017
• NASA. (2018). A blanket around the earth. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/261/
• Westford Admin. (2016). Positive and Negative Impacts of Globalization. Retrieved from https://www.example.com/globalization-impacts
• Hansen, J., Sato, M., Ruedy, R., et al. (2016). Global temperature change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(1), 173-178. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518836113
• Saier, M. (2015). The ecological impacts of globalization. Environmental Research Letters, 10(11), 114009. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/10/11/114009
• Flannery, T. (2005). The weather makers: How man is changing the climate and what it means for life on earth. Atlantic Monthly Press.
• Fussel, H.-M., & Klein, R. J. T. (2006). Climate change vulnerability assessments: An evolution of knowledge. Climatic Change, 75, 301–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9123-7
• Giddens, A. (2009). The politics of climate change. Polity Press.