Week 10 Assignment: Critical Threats To The Global Environme

Week 10 Assignment Critical Threats To The Global Environmentovervie

Week 10 Assignment - Critical Threats to the Global Environment Overview The United Nations has continued to retain you as a consultant for a project that deals with climate and the environment. Most developed countries see the dangers of releasing too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and are committed to climate policies that attain a carbon-free future in the next 30 years. They already see the damaging effects that this gas alone is having on the living conditions of crops, wildlife, and humans. As a result, many member states are dissatisfied with the progress of the eight Millennium Development Goals for international development that they established in 2000. The member states see a substantial disconnect between several issues that developed and developing countries believe are priorities. For example, Burundi wants one of the goals to focus on food security, while Austria is adamant that a major global issue should be the negotiation of ceasefires in countries in the midst of civil wars. The UN wants you to work from the list below and prioritize two of the global community’s threats that it deems the most serious to environmental stability. Instructions Step 1 Select two threats. Listed below are eight issues that the UN feels pose the most significant threats to global security. Some of these apply to the Earth’s 7.7 billion people, while others are limited primarily to developing countries. Regardless of where these threats are concentrated, your job as a consultant is to identify two of them that you consider the most critical to the globe’s population. Issue Options The use of fossil fuels as an energy source. Globalization. Insufficient educational opportunities in developing countries. A lack of access to technology. Civil war (NOT the U.S. Civil War). The rise in oceans’ levels. Covid-19 and the global pandemic. The dangers of poor countries remaining poor. Step 2 Write a minimum of an 8 page persuasive paper about your two threats.Write an introduction paragraph of at least one-half page in length identifying the two threats you have selected and the purpose of the paper. Then, for the two threats you chose: Identify the factors that make it such a serious risk to the global environment that you would choose to present it to the UN. Analyze the role that humans have played in aggravating this threat to the Earth’s environment. Suggest initiatives that the global community can take to mitigate the worst effects of this environmental threat. Write a conclusion paragraph of at least one-half page in length that summarizes your impressions of these risks for global stability. Guidelines This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). For assistance and information, please refer to the SWS link in the left-hand menu of your course and check with your professor for any additional instructions. In order to earn full credit, the answers to each of the three questions must be at least two full pages long, making six one one eight You must use at least seven credible sources (excluding Wikipedia, dictionaries, and encyclopedias) that are appropriate for the subjects under discussion. You must use only double-spacing and not place extra spacing between paragraphs or section headings. As part of your answer to any one of the questions, you must include a graph, table or chart using quantifiable data that supports your argument. You need only one graph for the entire assignment, and although you may download this item from the Internet, it may be no longer than one page in length. You must comprehensively explain beneath the graph what the data means. Otherwise, it will be of no use to the reader. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is as follows: Propose suggestions for mitigation initiatives that address the threats to the stability of the global environment.

Paper For Above instruction

The critical threats facing global environmental stability are multifaceted, involving complex interactions between human activity and natural systems. For this assignment, I have selected two pressing issues from the list provided by the United Nations: (1) the use of fossil fuels as an energy source and (2) the rise in oceans’ levels. These threats are interconnected and pose significant risks not only to the environment but also to global socio-economic stability. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that make these issues critical, explore human roles in aggravating them, and propose effective mitigation strategies to address their adverse impacts.

Introduction

Human reliance on fossil fuels has been the principal driver of industrial advancement and economic growth over the past century. However, this dependence has resulted in an unprecedented rise in greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), which contribute heavily to global warming. The increasing levels of greenhouse gases trap more heat within Earth's atmosphere, leading to climate change and associated environmental disruptions. Concurrently, the rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, vital ecosystems, and freshwater supplies. The melting of polar ice and glaciers, driven by higher global temperatures, accelerates this process, fundamentally altering the planet’s climate system. This paper aims to elucidate why the continued use of fossil fuels and rising sea levels constitute grave threats, how human activities have exacerbated these issues, and what actions the international community can undertake to mitigate their effects.

Factors Making Fossil Fuel Use a Critical Threat

The use of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—is central to modern civilization, powering industries, transportation, and residential energy needs. However, its environmental consequences are dire. Fossil fuel combustion releases large quantities of CO2, accounting for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2021). The accumulation of these gases intensifies the greenhouse effect, resulting in global temperature increases. Scientific models indicate that if current fossil fuel consumption continues unabated, global temperatures could rise by 2°C or more by the end of this century, leading to catastrophic climate changes (IPCC, 2021). Additionally, fossil fuel extraction often causes substantial ecological damage, exemplified by oil spills, habitat destruction, and air pollution, further aggravating environmental degradation. The dependence on fossil fuels in both developed and developing nations perpetuates a cycle of environmental harm, climate instability, and ecological vulnerability.

Human Contributions to Fossil Fuel Threats

Humans have significantly contributed to the intensification of this threat through extensive reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Industrialization, urbanization, and the global expansion of transportation have exponentially increased fossil fuel consumption. Notably, the global economy's growth paradigm has been tied to fossil fuel use, with little emphasis on renewable alternatives (Stern, 2015). Moreover, political and economic interests often impede the transition to cleaner energy sources, sustaining dependency on carbon-intensive fuels. In developing countries, increased energy demands due to population growth and economic development further escalate fossil fuel usage, often with minimal regulation or environmental safeguards. The failure to implement effective policies and investments in renewable energy infrastructure perpetuates this dependency, making fossil fuels a primary driver of climate change.

Mitigation Initiatives for Fossil Fuel Use

Addressing the reliance on fossil fuels requires comprehensive international cooperation and proactive policies. Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal is crucial. Governments should incentivize clean energy investments through subsidies, tax breaks, and research funding (IRENA, 2020). Additionally, adopting stricter emissions standards for industries and transportation can significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption. Promoting energy efficiency and conservation measures is equally important, including updating building codes and encouraging sustainable practices among consumers. Technological innovations like carbon capture and storage (CCS) can also mitigate emissions from ongoing fossil fuel use. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, need to be strengthened and enforced to ensure countries meet their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards sustainable energy systems.

The Threat of Rising Sea Levels

Rising oceans' levels are a direct consequence of global warming, primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions. The increase in global temperatures has led to the melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers, contributing to higher sea levels (Church et al., 2013). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that sea levels have risen by approximately 15-20 centimeters since the late 19th century, with projections indicating a rise of up to 1 meter by the end of this century if emissions remain high (IPCC, 2021). This phenomenon endangers coastal regions worldwide, leading to flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources, and destruction of habitats.

Human Roles in Accelerating Sea Level Rise

Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion, have been the primary cause of temperature increases fueling sea level rise. Urban development along coastlines, construction of infrastructure, and land-use changes have also reduced natural buffers like mangroves and wetlands, increasing vulnerability to flooding (Nicholls & Cazenave, 2010). Moreover, deforestation and destruction of coastal ecosystems diminish their capacity to absorb excess water and buffer storm surges, thereby exacerbating the impacts of rising seas. Unsustainable fishing practices and land reclamation further disturb coastal integrity, amplifying the threats posed by sea-level rise.

Strategies to Mitigate Rise in Ocean Levels

Mitigating the impacts of rising sea levels necessitates a dual approach: mitigation of climate change through emission reductions and adaptation to inevitable changes. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms are primary mitigation strategies. On the adaptation front, constructing resilient infrastructure such as sea walls, restoring natural coastal barriers like mangroves, and enforcing land-use planning that discourages development in vulnerable zones are essential (Cazenave & Llovel, 2010). International cooperation is crucial to share technology, funding, and knowledge management. Furthermore, safeguarding and restoring coastal ecosystems provide natural buffers, which can absorb storm surges and reduce erosion, thereby diminishing the socio-economic toll of rising seas.

Conclusion

The threats of continued fossil fuel dependence and rising sea levels represent profound challenges to global environmental stability. Both are driven by human activity, particularly industrialization, urbanization, and inadequate policy responses. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from the international community to shift towards sustainable energy sources, enforce stricter emissions standards, and implement adaptive measures to protect vulnerable coastal zones. The magnitude of these threats underscores the importance of proactive, science-based, and equitable strategies to ensure a sustainable future for all. Recognizing the interconnectedness of climate change and sea-level rise, global stability depends on our collective capacity to mitigate human impacts and foster resilient ecosystems and societies.

References

• Church, J. A., Clark, P. U., Cazenave, A., Gregory, J. M., et al. (2013). Sea level change. In T. F. Stocker et al. (Eds.), Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. Cambridge University Press.
• Cazenave, A., & Llovel, C. (2010). Contemporary sea level rise. Annual Review of Marine Science, 2, 145–173.
• IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2020). Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050. IRENA.
• Nicholls, R. J., & Cazenave, A. (2010). Sea level rise and its impacts. Advances in Marine Biology, 59, 269–296.
• Stern, N. (2015). The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. Cambridge University Press.
• Additional credible sources would include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and reputable international agencies to support comprehensive analysis.