It is known that 70 percent of the worlds agricultural area is covered with grassland, which is about half of the ice-free world. Almost one billion people depend on grassland for living and income. Well-controlled and improved grassland system is a key for nutrition production and sustainable environment in many countries. There was speculation in scientific circles about the role of vegetation in 2006 when a group of scientists published a report claiming that plants produced between ten to thirty percent of the worlds annual methane output (Keppler, Hamilton, Bra, & Rockmann, 2006).
The research showed that plants emit significant amount of Methane to the atmosphere (Frankenberg, Meirink, van Weele, Platt, & Wagner, 2005). This discovery shows that the emission of Methane not only depends on the species of the plant, but also the condition in where they are growing. The scientists revoked these observations a short while later. New studies based on laboratory experiments did not confirm the assertions. In fact, the new studies concluded that plants were incapable of the natural production of methane (Keppler, Hamilton, Bra, & Rockmann, 2006). However, when plants decompose in bogs and mashes in conditions of little or no oxygen, they produce methane.
Methane (CH4) is one of the gases that play a big role among the greenhouse gases. Concentrations of Methane have almost tripled since 1750 (pre-industrial time). Studies found that most of the Methane on the earths atmosphere originated from the absence of Oxygen. Reconsideration came about regarding the responsibility of Methane in the climate change after its identification. Other gases responsible for global warming include Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone, and Water vapor (Mwebaza, 2009). Most of these gases are naturally occurring. However, human activities such as logging and destruction of natural carbon sinks, in addition to the burning of fossil fuels, reduces the ability of the earth to maintain the gases in a sustainable balance.
Since the industrial revolution, the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has peaked at 398 parts per million, up from 280 parts per million (Mwebaza, 2009). The industrial revolution coincided with the emergence of petroleum as an important fuel in industry. In the latter parts of the twentieth century, the number of industries and motor vehicles increased dramatically causing an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Scientists estimate the increase in temperature in the earths atmosphere at about 20c (Mwebaza, 2009). This is causing ice sheets in the Polar Regions to melt, and is responsible for an increase in adverse weather because of the increased quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere. This increase in the daily average temperature is also causing changes in ecosystems sensitive to weather changes. There is shift towards the poles of the tropical climate, with the spread of deserts affecting equatorial regions (Mwebaza, 2009).
Destruction of the ozone layer is interfering with the heat balance on earth. Naturally, ozone plays an important role in maintaining the heat balance by keeping away ultraviolet radiation. Its depletion increases the exposure of the earth this harmful radiation from the sun (McLeod, et al., 2008).
CO2 and CH4 contribute to the chemical destruction of Ozone while water vapor increases the propensity of the atmosphere to retain long-range radiation emitted by the earth after intercepting short wave radiation from the sun. Vegetation plays a leading role in the restoration of balance in the earths natural environment. Grass is the most abundant type of vegetation the world over hence the need to maintain the grass supplies to ensure that the natural processes involved in carbon sequestration remain active.
Reference List
Frankenberg, C., Meirink, J. F., van Weele, M., Platt, U., & Wagner, T. (2005). Assessing Methane Emissions from Global Space-Borne Observations. Science , 1010-1014.
Keppler, F., Hamilton, J. T., Bra, M., & Rockmann, T. (2006). Methane Emissions from Terrestrial Plants under Aerobic Conditions. Nature , 187-191.
McLeod, A., Fry, S. C., Loacke, G. J., Messanger, D. J., Reay, D. S., Smith, K. A., et al. (2008). Ultraviolet Radiation Drives Methane Emissions from Terrestrial Plant Pectins. New Phytologist , 124-132.
Mwebaza, R. (2009). The Impacts of Climate Change in East Africa. In R. Mwebaza, & L. Kotze (Eds.), Environmental Governance and Climate Change in Africa: Legal Perspectives. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.
The sustainable development of the world countries in the context of increasing greenhouse gas emissions is impossible without the creation of measures to solve this problem, and China is no exception to the rule. Moreover, the severity of its position in this relation is added by the rapid progress of the region in major economies, contributing to the worsening situation with air quality (China Power Team, 2018). The recent reports reflect the authorities special attention to this area while they lack decisive steps for meeting ecological goals (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Peoples Republic of China, 2019). Therefore, the programs elaborated by the Chinese government for improving the environment do not offer adequate solutions and should be complemented by methods aimed at the reduction of greenhouse emissions instead of tackling their consequences.
Background of the Case
The issue under consideration has a decades-long history in China as it is connected to its principal economic activities. Since 2004, the country has been leading in the amounts of greenhouse emissions, and the corresponding indicator reached 28.5 percent of the world share in 2018 (China Power Team, 2018). The situation became alarming, and the intentions of scholars were redirected towards the need to propose measures mitigating the accompanying environmental risks (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). However, the attempts of the government to address the concerns of citizens were complicated by the rapid industrial growth (China Power Team, 2018). At present, no optimal solution to the crisis has been developed, and the balance between the climate considerations and profits is difficult to achieve.
The significance of the matter for the world is conditional upon the effects of Chinas problem on overall environmental sustainability. For this reason, it is not surprising that it is actively collaborating with the global community under the Paris Agreement (China Power Team, 2018). Nevertheless, despite the countrys involvement in the process, the domestic circumstances resulting in the emergence of such a threat are not being adequately compensated for. They primarily include the increasing dependence on burning coal for heating premises and manufacturing goods for the citizens, producing 4.64 and 2.84 billion tons of greenhouse gas, respectively (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). Hence, it is reasonable to examine the case in detail to suggest ways to eliminate the specified factors correlating with environmental risks.
Concessions
One of the essential aspects affecting the emissions in China is the governments concession management. Its consideration is essential due to the fact that local businesses play a significant role in the development of the issue (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). As can be seen from the current policy course, the majority of ideas in this direction are related to the mentioned environmental concerns mitigation through accurate predictions, allowing to implement solutions for the energy sector (Xu et al., 2019). They are complemented by the efforts on limiting the access of companies to natural resources through the introduction of carbon restraints and optimization of coal production alongside the deployment of new CO2 emission reduction technologies (Huang et al., 2019). Moreover, the overuse of land and water required for disposing of municipal solid waste is examined by the authorities, which insist on infrastructure restructuring (Ma et al., 2018). In this way, it can be concluded that China is attempting to improve its positions in the rating of countries by their annual greenhouse gas emissions through restricting the economic activity connected to this area.
Refutations
The analysis of restricting governmental actions performed above in terms of eliminating the mentioned side effect of the enhanced industrial progress allows concluding on the three main directions of their initiatives. They are the introduction of new rules for businesses, the shift in fuel manufacturing, and the forecasts of future outcomes of possible solutions to this critical situation. Subsequently, their combination is viewed as an optimal way for overcoming the difficulties adversely affecting the contributions of China to the global task of environmental protection.
Nevertheless, despite the seeming effectiveness of the proposed plans, these projects are insufficient for addressing the scourge of greenhouse gas pollution. The bases for this claim and the refutation of the previously described stance are the results of other studies indicating the controversy stemming from the existing economic schemes (Zhang et al., 2019). For example, the planned construction of a new airport in Beijing and the facilities for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games do not correlate with the general policy on the reduction of emissions (Zhang et al., 2019). Thus, it is impossible to agree with the presented benefits of Chinas approach to the problem contrasted by continuing achievements in the field, and the provision of additional solutions is needed.
Solution 1: Renewable Energy
The first suggestion with regard to the necessity to minimize the impact of greenhouse gas on climate change as its main driver is the orientation on elaborating renewable energy. According to the recent governmental report, the principal actions in this relation were limited to the recognition of the importance of air quality and the offer to meet the corresponding standards by reducing emissions (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Peoples Republic of China, 2019). However, there are no data regarding new inventions allowing not to manage but eliminate the threat (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Peoples Republic of China, 2019). Hence, this neglect serves as the grounds for proposing to pay more attention to alternative sources of energy.
In this case, the modification should come in the form of green investments in contrast to the promotion of the carbon market. For instance, Liao (2018) claims that the latters growth can be slowed down through the adoption of an innovative economic model. This practice should be designed based on stricter environmental regulations, the inclusion of tertiary industries, subsidies on renewable energy production, and taxing coal consumption (Liao, 2018). Such a drastic shift will result in short-term financial losses for the present-day Chinese enterprises, but the resolution of the issue of continuously increasing greenhouse gas emissions seems unlikely without it.
Solution 2: Changes in Transportation
The second way to address the identified gaps in ecological measures in China is the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles. It is especially vital due to the primary focus of the government on revealing illegal gas stations and poor-quality oil goods instead of decreasing the dependence on this sphere (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Peoples Republic of China, 2019). The former approach has already proved to be inefficient in the long run, and this fact makes the need for finding an alternative way a priority in combatting the problem (Hao et al., 2017). Although this decision might be ineffective from the point of view of expenses, its drawbacks are sufficiently compensated by its suitability to mitigate climate change. Moreover, the consequent replacement of automobiles with battery electric vehicles is possible, even though it will require the fulfillment of the first condition described above, which is the global alteration of the market (Liao, 2018). In this way, the efficiency of the suggested method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be explained by the fact that it beneficially complements other programs in this regard and ensures their positive results.
Solution 3: Policy Regarding Foreign Companies
The third solution to the emerged environmental concerns related to air pollution by CO2 is the adaptation of Chinas economic policies with consideration of their influence on the examined tissue. More specifically, it is connected to the provision of beneficial terms for worldwide businesses willing to relocate their production to increase profits. Since the country is attractive for potential investors and entrepreneurs, they significantly affect its ecological indicators (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Peoples Republic of China, 2019). What is more important, the complications in this situation stemming from the companies selection of Chinese manufacturers as cheaper options for their products realization are not recorded in the statistics (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). In turn, the provision of general information on the subject does not present a complete picture. Meanwhile, it makes the demonstration of their share in the process impossible.
To eliminate this obstacle to implementing environmental programs aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical to creating additional barriers to the companies entry into Chinas market at the state level. They should equalize the opportunities for businesses in other locations around the world with the benefits of the selected place. As a result, this transition will allow ensuring the sustainability of resources corresponding to the matter and, thereby, make a difference for the countrys ecology as a whole.
Future Considerations
Considering all the circumstances around the task of environmental protection and, particularly, air pollution by CO2, Chinas outcomes in combatting this challenge remain unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is important to consider the unaddressed aspects in the future. As follows from the analysis above, they include the absence of effective tools for the development of renewable energy sources and the requirement for a wide application of the existing eco-friendly technologies. These steps should be accompanied by the orientation of the government on the compliance of local businesses with international green standards instead of attracting foreign actors focused on profits in the first place. Although the given ideas might lead to financial losses, they are inevitable if China wants to solve the problem and mitigate the risks for the world ecology. From this perspective, sustainable industrial management is conditional upon the adoption of the designed method. As for the concerns of businesses, they should be incorporated into the plan, and the risks deriving from the proposed modifications should be mitigated by the government alongside other measures.
Conclusion
To summarize, the plans of China to reduce greenhouse emissions and thereby improve the quality of air is insufficient for eliminating the implied risks. Hence, the countrys policies should be readjusted in accordance with considerations relevant to the intention to deal with the cause and not the effects. In other words, the establishment of standards for industries dependent on coal is less productive than using renewable energy, eco-friendly technologies for transportation, and the change in operations with foreign companies. Thus, the outcomes of Chinese environmental programs will be positive only in the case if the government shifts the perceptions from the side effects to actual threats.
Hao, H., Cheng, X., Liu, Z., & Zhao, F. (2017). Electric vehicles for greenhouse gas reduction in China: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 56, 68-84. Web.
Huang, Y., Yi, Q., Kang, J. X., Zhang, Y. G., Li, W. Y., Feng, J., & Xie, K. C. (2019). Investigation and optimization analysis on deployment of China coal chemical industry under carbon emission constraints. Applied Energy, 254, 113684. Web.
Liao, X. (2018). Public appeal, environmental regulation and green investment: Evidence from China. Energy Policy, 119, 554-562. Web.
Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2020).China: CO2 country profile. Our World in Data. Web.
Xu, N., Ding, S., Gong, Y., & Bai, J. (2019). Forecasting Chinese greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption using a novel grey rolling model. Energy, 175, 218-227. Web.
Zhang, D., Liu, G., Chen, C., Zhang, Y., Hao, Y., & Casazza, M. (2019). Medium-to-long-term coupled strategies for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction in Beijing (China). Energy Policy, 127, 350-360. Web.
Greenhouse gasses accumulate in the earths surface, forming a mirror that reflects heat radiation on the earths surface. In cases where the air is polluted by green house emissions, then these greenhouse gasses block the reflected sunlight radiations from reflecting back to the atmosphere, leaving them just at the earths surface.
This increases the temperature on the earths surface. This is not only harmful to human beings, but to all living organisms including plants and animals.
When these gasses are released in large amounts, they result into global warming. This is the increase in the temperatures of the earths air surface and the subsequent increase in the water levels. It results from numerous human activities that emit gasses that prevent the radiation of sunlight back to the atmosphere.
Generally, when sunlight reaches the earths surface, an amount of it is reflected back to the atmosphere at a higher wavelength; when this happens, the earths temperatures are regulated.
This paper looks at the causes of increased emissions of greenhouse gasses and their effects. It also looks at some of the solutions that can be adopted to remedy this situation, which include use of renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, conservation farming, and regulatory measures.
Causes and Effects
Green house gasses cause the heating and cooling of the earth. Global warming occurs when these gasses exceeds a certain limit. Some of these gasses are released to the atmosphere through natural process although most of them result from increased human activities; some of these activities are agriculture, deforestation, and industrialization.
As forests are converted into farmland and cities, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere mainly because all living things contain a given amount of carbon dioxide and when they die, carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere.
If forests and grasslands are cleared, large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in them are released into the atmosphere, increasing the volume of the greenhouse gasses (Union of Concerned Scientists 2).
For a long time now, oceans have been known to store a lot of carbon dioxide. They act as a carbon sink and can hold back more than 50 times of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, thermal stratification of the oceans has resulted in a reduction of the oceans ability to hold carbon dioxide.
Oceans can now hold very little levels of carbon dioxide leaving the rest in the atmosphere, which consequently results in global warming (U.S. Department of Energy 4).
On the other hand, the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes oceans to acidify, leading to the death of the plants found in the ocean thereby weakening the oceans ability to store carbon.
Globalization and technological advancement has contributed immensely towards the increase in the number of industries in the world. In the process of production, fuel is required to run some machines; however, this fuel is a major source of pollution to the environment.
Fossil fuels, for example, emit gasses (when burnt) that are harmful to human beings and the environment at large. The commonly used nonrenewable energy resource is fossil fuels, which comprise come in different forms such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. These fuels have been used for along period since industrial revolution.
They are easy to use because they just need an easy combustion. Although they are easy to use, this combustion results in air pollution that greatly affects the environment. The consumption of fossil fuels by the energy infrastructure is one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gasses, which are responsible for recent global warming and climate change concern (U.S. Department of Energy 2).
These activities Releases three types of gases that make up the greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide (Anon. Cause and effect for global warming 3)
The following chart shows the annual emission of greenhouse gases by sector
Source: Cause and effect for global warming. Time for change, 2007. Web.
From the above chart, it is clear that power stations releases the highest percentage of greenhouse gases (21.3%) especially methane and carbon dioxide. Agriculture byproducts release 40% and 62% of methane and nitrous oxide respectively.
This graph shows the carbon dioxide emissions in tons over the last 200 years (1800-2000).
Source: Cause and effect for global warming. Time for change, 2007. Web.
From the above graph, it is clear that the total amount of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere has been on the increase since 1800. Petroleum seems to be emitting a lot of carbon than all the other fossil fuels. This is because most people rely on petroleum energy sources since it is believed to be cheaper and easy to use. Cement production releases the lowest level of carbon followed by natural gas.
Solutions
Renewable Energy Sources
Kyoto protocol that was ratified in Japan, on 11 December 1997 and was aimed at being fully implemented by 16 February 2005 recommends for adoption of clean technology. The main aim of the protocol was to ensure that emission of green house gases (carbon gases) was reduced by 5% (below their level in 1990) by the end of 2010 (U.S. Department of Energy 3).
The clean energy blueprint investigated on ways of promoting diversity in production of energy and its conservation, and looked into the cost effective methods. It recommended the use of alternative methods of generating energy and emphasized on the use of renewable sources such as wind and geothermal.
The use of renewable energy is both cost effective and friendly to the environment. For instance, running water is used to create electricity in the hydroelectric systems. Another type of renewal energy that can be used for sustainable environment is the solar power. This energy is got directly from the sun by use of solar panels.
In addition, wind energy has been used throughout history; it has been used to power boats, to drive windmills, and many other uses (Union of Concerned Scientists 3). Differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure cause movements in the air, which is known as the wind. This movement is then transformed into energy by use of a generator.
Another source of power is Geothermal power, which is generated when the radioactive elements heats the earths crust (Cubby 50). This heat is then carried by water or magma to the earths surface and it becomes detectable in the form of hot springs as geysers. This heat can be used to power turbines leading to the generation of electricity. Biomass is one of the well-established sources of energy and among the oldest in the world. Stored plants energy is converted to produce biomass energy that can be used for lighting and heating
Conservation Farming
In devising a reaction strategy, the Australian government has put emphasis on so-called no regrets measures; those that offer industry net benefits as well as addressing the greenhouse gas outcome, or at least those that have no net cost in the long run.
It gives the impression that a comparable no-regrets strategy will as well be necessary to persuade farmers to espouse new practices, and the linking of emission lessening through preservation tillage with enhancement of soil quality will be indispensable (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 72).
The objectives of tillage require the use of manifold cultivations, the frequencies of this cultivation being dictated by the existing climatic conditions and understanding of the farmers.
Even though the traditional tillage practices in many countries were at first imported from European agriculture, they have advanced into an assortment of locally modified practices. In the modern times, there is escalating understanding that the soil is not only a significant constituent of our production system, but that it plays a vital role in the preservation of local, regional, and international environment quality.
At the farm level, conservation farming has become more and more conventional and it is anticipated that some form of this structure is accomplished on more than fifty percent of land across all states (Commonwealth of Australia 57).
Nuclear Energy
Use of nuclear energy reduces emission of carbon to the environment. Nuclear fusion reaction produces heat, which in turn heats water that produces electricity. In countries that use nuclear power, their waste from fuel (that they use) is minimal; it is estimated to be 1%. This means that nuclear energy produces far less industrial waste than fossil energy. Emissions produced from a nuclear energy can be tapped and used for other factors (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 74).
Uranium and plutonium, that are major components of a nuclear energy plant, can be tapped up to 95% and used to make mixed oxide oil. As demand for fuel in industries is growing, national oil reserves and oil wells are draining; they are highly depleted, and since they take a long period to mature, relying on them for generation of electricity can be seen as a short-term measure. Moreover, nuclear energy can be manufactured in laboratories so that if well regulated, it can be the future energy source.
Regulatory Measures
Emerging technologies are being developed to reduce or eliminate these greenhouse emissions. Anticipated carbon dioxide emissions gradually augmented from 1988 to 1995 and it is probable that it may increase further by the end of this year. To control the amount of carbon dioxide released from industries, most governments have put strict regulatory measures, such as, the use of the cap-and-trade.
This is a market-based method for controlling carbon dioxide emissions by use of tradeoffs and incentives. In this method, an aggregate cap is sought in all the energy sources, which are then allowed to trade among themselves as a way of establishing the source that emit a lot of pollution to the environment (Fischer 101).
Under a rate-based baseline-and-credit plan, firms are prescribed a performance standard spelling out the target industry emission rate (Dewees 513). An emission rate represents the emission technology level of a firm and is the amount of pollution that is emitted per unit of output.
A carbon tax would be an efficient control method because it will discourage companies from releasing gasses into the atmosphere. However, in order to achieve the desired results, the tax should increase as the level of gasses released increase for it to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 72).
Recommendations
The most effective way to reduce the level of carbon emissions is the use of renewable energy sources. By use of these sources, the greenhouses gasses caused by combustion of fuel will reduce since most of the renewable sources are clean and inexhaustible. These renewable sources cannot be exploited as compared to the non-renewable ones because they are replenished naturally.
Most of these sources are harvested in their natural form and thus requires very little operation costs. Solar energy is the simplest to manage since solar panels can be fixed on existing buildings and it does not interfere with other land activities
Conclusion
As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, global warming occurs. The consumption of fossil fuels by the energy infrastructure is one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gases, which are responsible for recent global warming and climate change concerns. The Governments goal is to play an active part in global efforts to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to avoid reaching dangerous levels, and to adapt to the climate change that is now inevitable.
The global demand to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is receiving great concern presently. The most effective way to address this problem is to utilize the renewable energy resources, which are clean, and release minimal amount of gases. Utilization of nuclear power can also counter the problem of global warming.
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1995 with Methodology Supplement Environment Australia. Canberra: National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee, 1997. U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Sources. Washington, DC. Web.
Union of Concerned Scientists (USC). Clean Energy Blueprint: A Smarter National Energy Policy for Today and the Future. Union of Concerned Scientist, 2010. Web.
To start with, ecological shifts that have been witnessed so far and linked to anthropogenic conservatory gases may end up developing health complications affecting the respiratory system, skin problems due to exposure to ultra violet rays, skin pigmentation changes as well as inhibiting the cell invulnerability ability. Subsequently, such shifts can straightforwardly lead to temperature induced comas, sinking, intestinal complications as well as mental breakdown. Furthermore, the shifts set off by environmental modifications may amplify the speed of undernourishment, hypersensitivities together with predisposition to diseases spread by micro-organisms and insects as well as rising contagious infections.
Hands on attention along with precautionary measures undertaken by medical personnel, investigations paying attention to disparities in the consequences of ecological shifts on the age groups (which incorporates kids) and procedural backing by both personal and governmental stages may perhaps mitigate environmental degradation as well as enlightening on the correct deterrence measures and reaction.
Universal temperature changes recorded so far are due to the interplay involving greenhouse emissions, the global environment at large and the solar system. The major greenhouse gases are methane and carbon dioxide. Alongside these two are nitro and sulfur oxides, ozone and higher carbons which are emitted by petroleum conversion into energy and farming actions.
In order to maintain a thermal equilibrium, the heat given out by the globe should be equivalent to the heat received from the solar system. These gases lock in the heat which leads to universal rise in temperature. An initial optimum combination of these gases is required for livable settings here on earth except for the fact that manufacturing involvements by man has provoked the rise in temperature. For instance, it has been noted that the level of Methane has doubled since the emissions by industries began and that the intensity of the atmospheric gases has been.
Young ones are particularly thought to be susceptible part of the planetary inhabitants due to their budding bodily processes and the extended time which they are expected to be predisposed to these conditions. It has been discovered that at least three quarters of the entire avertable infections attributed to global changes in climate are reported by children patients. Thus in this research paper, we shall concentrate on the existing inquiries into the effects of ecological shifts on wellbeing, examine its significance on other age groups as well as recommending viable solutions.
The possible linkage that connects the change in weather conditions and young peoples well being is three pronged. First, the environmental alterations like the space contamination and distorted UV waves which lead to change in weather conditions. Second is the alteration itself that enhances acute temperature differentials and the accompanying calamities. Third is the transformation in natural conditions that affects accessibility of foodstuffs, hypersensitivity and predisposition to infections as well as the rising contagious illnesses.
Literature review
On the adults
According to Has, Whitelegg & Kohler (164) the consequences arising from ecological alterations experienced by grown ups (old and adults) may be graded into two. The first are individuals who are more predisposed to the hazard and secondly, people who are in initially predisposed and have superior sensitivity it being a component of maturity (thus biological vulnerability) or collective aspects which differ from a person to the next (communal vulnerability).
It is argued this immense response, as a result of rising biological and communal vulnerability, may well be responsible for the several harmful consequences of greenhouse gases on the well being of the children, adults as well as the old. However the discrepancy in vulnerability of the old people can be attributable to the prior contact with the changed climate, their physical and medical conditions together with mental and communal aspects as indicated by Aguirre(89). This necessarily means that as an individual grows older, then the deteriorating physical conditions is a sure foundation for the adverse effects of climate change to be effectual. It should be noted that sequential maturity comes in handy as a rough calculation touching on the basic exposure situation, bodily deterioration and even infirmity according to McGeehin & Mirabelli (201) Furthermore, individuals who may be ill with persistent diseases and others on prescriptions which aggravate the effect of prolonged contact to high temperature, contaminants and illnesses spread by organisms. Absence of exercise also contributes to associated threats.
Communal and financial wellbeing together with related aspects add to the susceptibility among the aged individuals that come into contact with the harmful effects associated with the alterations of weather conditions. The individuals financial status as well as relative paucity hampers this or her ability to evade the harmful effects of the weather change. Individuals who are underprivileged in wide ranging aspects, from literacy, finances, accessibility to food and basic amenities, are more prone to the destructive effects of innate calamities as reported by Haq et al. (2008). This communal kind of segregation, as Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003 put, societal separation, little or no connections at all to the wider public may as well be connected with health problems and resultant deaths. The blending of persistent ailments with societal separation can be said to be tricky. It is obvious that such indicators are excessively concerted in aging individuals and thus their exposure to even more hazards, Haq et al. (2008).
Ones medical condition does in practical sense react when he or she experiences higher temperatures. The presence of persistent illnesses like the HIV/AIDS, heart problems, diabetes and many others also intensifies vulnerability (McGeehin & Mirabelli, 2001) so are the prescription drugs that hinders the human body from adjusting accordingly to the modifications in temperature (Bouchama, 2004). Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate intercession measures to counter the effects of high temperature that must accommodate individuals whose vulnerability stem from innate physical states.
On children
The children are more vulnerable to the effects of green house gases. The main reason for this is that their bodies are still developing hence any changes on the environment will lead to many effects on their health. The greenhouse gases have been indicated to be natural in the process of the earth process and the coexistence of all the living things which has resulted in the balanced amount of gas and the climatic conditions. According to Rom and Markowitz (79) the human beings have increased the amount of gas in the environment which distorts the balance of the weather which results in too much heat. This is due to the increased cutting down of trees, burning charcoal, oil, coal and natural gas. This increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment. This increase in the levels of the carbon dioxide distorts the balance of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. There is production of chlorofluorocarbons from the use of fridge, hairsprays cans and the aerosols. These chlorofluorocarbons are so dangerous type of gas which leads to the atmosphere being very hot or extremely cold. Its what brings about the global warming. This poses a threat to the life of all the mankind with higher effects being on the children.
When there are changes on the weather, the children are the ones who will be affected the most. The main reason to this is that the children are always outside the houses playing and are very adventurous when it comes to moving from one place to another. This exposes them to the various changes and the increased emissions of the greenhouse gases. This affects the childrens respiratory system, and the skin diseases among other types of diseases which may be experienced.
It has been reported by the world health organization that over 140, 000 deaths are reported annually with respect to the greenhouse effects in the world. Three quarters of this are children aged below 9 years. The health of children is very easy to be attacked by any kind of diseases which results in a very severe illness causing deaths. Kawachi and Wamala indicated that the climatic changes bring in a polluted air which is harmful to the health of the population. The water also which is being consumed is not pure hence chronic waterborne diseases attacks people. Since children are not so cautious of what they take, they are mostly affected. Its out of their ignorance of the situation going on which is scientific that results in their careless consumption of these unpurified natural and artificial things. The water vapors which constitute ninety five percent of the air we breathe come along with many effects. The kids since they are mostly outdoors take this type of air which results in them having great exposure to the diseases which are so contagious. This is the main reason why most them have been diagnose with several illness which are contagious. The deadly diseases attack the children easily since their immune system is very weak hence most the deaths are experienced.
According to World Health organization, the health problems are mainly caused by the environment we live in. This exposes to us the need of high numbers of the children who are mainly exposed to the environment so much which leads to their main sickness. The health of people mostly children are threaten by the climatic changes which are faced in the environment they live in. WHO indicates that the changes on the atmosphere as a result of the global warming induce a lot of effects on the health necessities of the population. There have been adverse effects from the health damage as a result of the climatic changes. The children are mostly exposed to the several health problems which poses great deal of health risks.
There is the heat stress which really affects the children. This affects the blood vessels, heart and the lungs.This is a very deadly disease to the children which result in great effects on them and finally ends their lives. Hardy (97) indicated that the children also experience trauma as a result of the climatically changes. They are more prone to these diseases than the elderly. There other allergies which are encountered as a result of the green house effects which affects the children The allergies are so severe that the deaths of the children due it is increasing. There are regions which are adversely affected by the long term droughts where the cases of the mental illness and the trauma are being reported the highest. These diseases are not as a result of the natural existence of the people with the environment but are caused by the human actions which affect the natural atmosphere. The natural atmosphere once affected brings a lot of disorders and disastrous diseases which are severe to the mankind and leads to the deaths of many people even without their consent of the type of the sickness. The airborne diseases increase due to the effects of the green house effects which affects the mankind so much. The children are the main ones affected hence their systems are so low which greatly results in the diverse effects and chronic diagnosis of deadly airborne diseases. The air pollutants also lead to the several respiratory diseases which kill so easily.
The increase in the effects on the green houses leads to the rise in the diseases such as gastroenteritis which results from the food poisoning. There are also increased effects of the mosquitos transmitted diseases hence the conditions of most children are affected so fast. This is because the children are the vulnerable to such diseases especially the ones which are being transmitted by the mosquitoes. There is need to increase the use of the treated mosquito nets in the population especially for the pregnant mothers and the children. This is not possible throughout the world as most people in many countries are poor and cannot access such facilities hence the effects also affects the economic point of the population. The people of various countries especially the less developed and the developing do not have access to the adequate health facilities hence the effects of green house gasses is really a big mess to them. The most disadvantaged are the children and the mothers who need the protection of the other people. The children are mainly affected by such chronic diseases which has increased the child mortality rate.
The young people are prone to the diseases which are brought about by the climatic changes which explain why their death rate is really high. The children also have a lot of weaknesses in their bodies hence the attacks by such infectious diseases really affect them and ruin their health. The people who have accessed to the health services are very few hence the deaths reported is at an increasing rate even at the time when the people who are responsible are not concern at all. This affects the arid and poor nations severely. There is need for the scientist and the political class to be able to come up with necessary policies which regulates the emissions of the green house gas.
Discussion
The green house effects are great concern to the whole world as it really affects the future generation severely. The number of the deaths has been increasing every year especially that of the children. The young people are greatly affected by the changes in the climatic conditions. The food stuff which is available to the young people is not healthy and has a lot of carbon in theme. This inhibits itself in their bodies and results in many diseases at their tender age ending their lives without any control over the causes. There have been several effects to the young people as they are energetic and their cells are still developing on the daily basis hence the attacks by the infectious diseases is rampant on them (DiMento and Doughman 112).
The greenhouse effects have resulted in many effects to the children on their way of life. The effects on the freshwater hinders their health matters so much and this results in the various waterborne disease being diagnosed on them. This has been the case in many parts of the world where the health care facilities are so minimal and far from the location of the people. The food insecurity also which is being experienced by many parts of the world is due to the greenhouse effects. Lack of adequate balance diet as a result of the food insecurity affects the children in a high level. This leads to the children suffering from the several diseases caused by the lack of enough nourishment. This contributes a lot to the death of the children at an early age and several other lifelong diseases which may not be easily treated.
The various relocations by the coastal people as a result of the floods and storms greatly affect the children. This affects the children the most as to their used to place. The children have several concerns when there is any slight change of relocations and that the people who cause it are not anywhere available to assist them in the handling of the adverse effects of the climate changes. The changes in the locations of affects the children psychologically and hence there are instances of disturbances. The children also are exposed to levels of health risks which are of great concern to the health well being of the children. This is because the people have to relocate as a result of the floods and the rise in the sea level. This threatens the life of people especially the children. This results in the many people being renders homeless and forced to be refugees in their own country. These situations affect the children as their future depends on their stability in a location so as to be able to work hard to attain their own goals. The children also are exposed to the chronic situations which affects their health in the refugee camps. The health care in the refugee camp is very low and the supplies of the medication also are not adequate as to be enough to the whole population. This also has escalated the need for the nations to care for the increasing number of the refugees in our environment (McMichael 131).
There have been various concerns by the doctors on the increasing health complications which are caused by the effects of the green houses. This has prompted the doctors to institute the world health day which mostly centers on the health of the people as a result of the green house gas emission. The doctors are also predicting that there will be increased number of people with chronic disease as a result of the green house gas. The green house gas is very disastrous and relates to the surrounding of the people who are greatly affected. The children are the most vulnerable ones and they are expected to be treated well without any instance of the complication being carried forward. There have been rising number of those dying annually as a result of the effects of the green house gas. The mortality rate is expected to increase by the year 2020 which means that the cases related to the children is severe. The increase number is mostly of the children who are vulnerable to the effects. There is need there fore to have several policies which regulates the effects of the environment due to the release of the gas. The government should be in the forefront in safeguarding the interests of the people in the country as the most vulnerable ones and the future of the country.
The children do not get the medical attention required so as to reduce the adverse effects of the greenhouse gases. The children have the ability to regain their normal health if well treated hence the lack of medical attention escalates the effects of the green house gas on the health of the children. The effects of the greenhouse gas vary from country to country depending on the countries abilities to fight against such effects. The adaptability of the people also in a country do affects the rate of effects with the health related complications. The response of a location to the changes in the climate is also what contributes to the increasing number of health related problems in various parts of the world.
The heat stress is considered to be the main disease which results from the effects of the greenhouse gas. This is as a result of the adverse effects of the climatic conditions which increase the heat in the environment resulting in adverse effects on the environmental conditions. This affects the health of many people worse of it all is the young people. The environmental stability also is threatened by this hence there is a direct effect on the environment as a result of the greenhouse gas.
There have been heat waves which have been experienced by many countries as a result of the greenhouse gas. The heat waves when its get in contact with the children really affects their health. Too much heat to the young people is very disastrous to their health. In Australia, the heat waves killed over thirty five thousand people in the year 2003. The majority of this was the people who could not easily move fast such as the young and the elderly. Their mobility was restrained hence the health of the citizens should be well equipped with the necessary equipments and control so as to control the effects of the green house gas (Friis 210).
The heat waves increases the temperatures in the environment and hence the people living there are greatly exposed to several health problems. The children are the most affected as they are physically active and hence the increase in the temperatures may affects them as it may restrict them in their mobility. This is because people have to respond to the adverse heats by reducing the physical exercises or anything which may increase their physical movement. This reduction of physical exercise will lead to the cardiac problems hence its a chronic disease which kills most of the people and mostly the children. The heat wave also brings about the problems of the mental illness and the effects of the reduction of fluid intake. The fluid intake is a necessary for the digestion and others function in the body. Its reduced consumption increases the chances of one affected by health complications. These heatwaves effects coupled with the low income of the people will result in increased mortality rates. There is expectation of further rise in several countries by the year 2020. The people who are located in the urban centers have high chances of being affected. The rural people are less exposed but they are also affected by this predicament. The main reason for the high risk of the urban people is that there is no vegetation in the area. This result in the increase in the heat absorption by the buildings in the day and the same heat is being released at night. This increases the temperatures which results in chronic effects to the inhabitants in the environment.
The people who are located in the warmer cities are less vulnerable to the effects of the increase in the temperatures as a result of the increase in the greenhouse gas emission. This is as a result of the people in the warmer areas being used to the high temperatures while those in the colder areas have problems in adapting to the high fluctuations of the temperatures. There are increased heat related sicknesses on the population and the children are mostly the victims. There are also expectations that the greenhouse gas resulting in high temperatures which will result in increased level of bushfires. These bushfires have been so far been experienced in several parts of the world. The bushfires such as the one which was experienced in Australia among other countries is expected to increase. The increase in the bushfires exposes many children to such risky environments which lead to many of them dying. The adverse effects of the green house gas are very risky and have big effects on the environment as well as the health of the people. The people with serious health complications such as asthmatic when in contact with the smoke affect them and may result in a sudden death. The children are more vulnerable to such conditions which affect them so severely and this need to be controlled and restricted (McElroy 117).
Bushfires results in the fatalities, burns and severe injuries are experienced which are serious health problems as the vulnerable are the children. The bushfires also results in the pollution of the air which really affects the respiratory system of the people. This is because there will be increase in the particles of high density in the air making it to be of poor quality.
The effects of the greenhouse affect the weather of the world in a very adverse way. The means in which the people get infected is through the infectious diseases and other natural calamities. The floods which are expected as a result of the changes in the temperatures brings about the severe diseases such as the traumatic injuries and the post traumatic stress with the increase in the number of the Ross river virus which is brought about by the breeding of the mosquitoes. The sewerage systems also will break down and overflows making the water which is being used to be contaminated. Children are vulnerable to the use and consumption of the dirty water and the contaminated foodstuff. This increases the infections of diseases such as the diarrhea which is a deadly disease especially to the children and the elderly.
Conclusion
The effects of the greenhouse gas are very severe and the vulnerable ones are the children. There are several effects which are brought about by the greenhouse gas which affects the climatic conditions of the environment. This results in the various serious conditions which affects the health of people and mostly the vulnerable people such as the children. The various diseases range from the airborne diseases to the waterborne diseases. There are also many infectious diseases, air pollution, allergic illness and the long and severe droughts. All these affect the people in many ways which results in adverse effects of deadly diseases. There is need for the whole world to be contagious of the mankind activities especially the scientific so as to reduce the instance which results in the increase in the greenhouse gas emission. There should be policies and treaties being signed by all the nations so as to control the adverse effects of the changes in the climatic conditions. The nations also should consider that the vulnerable people are the young which means that the future generation is greatly affected. The control of what is emitted to the environment is necessary so as to reduce the adverse effects on the environment which has direct influence on the people (Claussen 145).
Works cited
Aguirre, Alonso. Conservation medicine: ecological health in practice. London: Oxford University Press US, 2002
DiMento, Joseph and Doughman Pamela. Climate change: what it means for us, our children, and our grandchildren. New Jersey: MIT Press, 2007
Friis, Robert H. Essentials of environmental health. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2007
Haq, George. Growing old in a changing climate: Meeting the challenges of an ageing population and climate change. Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute, 2008
Hardy, John T. Climate change: causes, effects, and solutions. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2003
Kawachi, IchirM and Wamala Sarah P. Globalization and health. London: Oxford University Press US, 2007
McElroy, Michael B. The atmospheric environment: effects of human activity. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002
McMichael, Anthony. Climate change and human health: risks and responses Nonserial Publication. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2003
Rom, William and Markowitz Steven B. Environmental and occupational medicine. 4th ed. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007
It is known that 70 percent of the worlds agricultural area is covered with grassland, which is about half of the ice-free world. Almost one billion people depend on grassland for living and income. Well-controlled and improved grassland system is a key for nutrition production and sustainable environment in many countries. There was speculation in scientific circles about the role of vegetation in 2006 when a group of scientists published a report claiming that plants produced between ten to thirty percent of the worlds annual methane output (Keppler, Hamilton, Bra, & Rockmann, 2006).
The research showed that plants emit significant amount of Methane to the atmosphere (Frankenberg, Meirink, van Weele, Platt, & Wagner, 2005). This discovery shows that the emission of Methane not only depends on the species of the plant, but also the condition in where they are growing. The scientists revoked these observations a short while later. New studies based on laboratory experiments did not confirm the assertions. In fact, the new studies concluded that plants were incapable of the natural production of methane (Keppler, Hamilton, Bra, & Rockmann, 2006). However, when plants decompose in bogs and mashes in conditions of little or no oxygen, they produce methane.
Methane (CH4) is one of the gases that play a big role among the greenhouse gases. Concentrations of Methane have almost tripled since 1750 (pre-industrial time). Studies found that most of the Methane on the earth’s atmosphere originated from the absence of Oxygen. Reconsideration came about regarding the responsibility of Methane in the climate change after its identification. Other gases responsible for global warming include Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone, and Water vapor (Mwebaza, 2009). Most of these gases are naturally occurring. However, human activities such as logging and destruction of natural carbon sinks, in addition to the burning of fossil fuels, reduces the ability of the earth to maintain the gases in a sustainable balance.
Since the industrial revolution, the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has peaked at 398 parts per million, up from 280 parts per million (Mwebaza, 2009). The industrial revolution coincided with the emergence of petroleum as an important fuel in industry. In the latter parts of the twentieth century, the number of industries and motor vehicles increased dramatically causing an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Scientists estimate the increase in temperature in the earth’s atmosphere at about 20c (Mwebaza, 2009). This is causing ice sheets in the Polar Regions to melt, and is responsible for an increase in adverse weather because of the increased quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere. This increase in the daily average temperature is also causing changes in ecosystems sensitive to weather changes. There is shift towards the poles of the tropical climate, with the spread of deserts affecting equatorial regions (Mwebaza, 2009).
Destruction of the ozone layer is interfering with the heat balance on earth. Naturally, ozone plays an important role in maintaining the heat balance by keeping away ultraviolet radiation. Its depletion increases the exposure of the earth this harmful radiation from the sun (McLeod, et al., 2008).
CO2 and CH4 contribute to the chemical destruction of Ozone while water vapor increases the propensity of the atmosphere to retain long-range radiation emitted by the earth after intercepting short wave radiation from the sun. Vegetation plays a leading role in the restoration of balance in the earth’s natural environment. Grass is the most abundant type of vegetation the world over hence the need to maintain the grass supplies to ensure that the natural processes involved in carbon sequestration remain active.
Reference List
Frankenberg, C., Meirink, J. F., van Weele, M., Platt, U., & Wagner, T. (2005). Assessing Methane Emissions from Global Space-Borne Observations. Science , 1010-1014.
Keppler, F., Hamilton, J. T., Bra, M., & Rockmann, T. (2006). Methane Emissions from Terrestrial Plants under Aerobic Conditions. Nature , 187-191.
McLeod, A., Fry, S. C., Loacke, G. J., Messanger, D. J., Reay, D. S., Smith, K. A., et al. (2008). Ultraviolet Radiation Drives Methane Emissions from Terrestrial Plant Pectins. New Phytologist , 124-132.
Mwebaza, R. (2009). The Impacts of Climate Change in East Africa. In R. Mwebaza, & L. Kotze (Eds.), Environmental Governance and Climate Change in Africa: Legal Perspectives. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.
The sustainable development of the world countries in the context of increasing greenhouse gas emissions is impossible without the creation of measures to solve this problem, and China is no exception to the rule. Moreover, the severity of its position in this relation is added by the rapid progress of the region in major economies, contributing to the worsening situation with air quality (China Power Team, 2018). The recent reports reflect the authorities’ special attention to this area while they lack decisive steps for meeting ecological goals (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). Therefore, the programs elaborated by the Chinese government for improving the environment do not offer adequate solutions and should be complemented by methods aimed at the reduction of greenhouse emissions instead of tackling their consequences.
Background of the Case
The issue under consideration has a decades-long history in China as it is connected to its principal economic activities. Since 2004, the country has been leading in the amounts of greenhouse emissions, and the corresponding indicator reached 28.5 percent of the world share in 2018 (China Power Team, 2018). The situation became alarming, and the intentions of scholars were redirected towards the need to propose measures mitigating the accompanying environmental risks (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). However, the attempts of the government to address the concerns of citizens were complicated by the rapid industrial growth (China Power Team, 2018). At present, no optimal solution to the crisis has been developed, and the balance between the climate considerations and profits is difficult to achieve.
The significance of the matter for the world is conditional upon the effects of China’s problem on overall environmental sustainability. For this reason, it is not surprising that it is actively collaborating with the global community under the Paris Agreement (China Power Team, 2018). Nevertheless, despite the country’s involvement in the process, the domestic circumstances resulting in the emergence of such a threat are not being adequately compensated for. They primarily include the increasing dependence on burning coal for heating premises and manufacturing goods for the citizens, producing 4.64 and 2.84 billion tons of greenhouse gas, respectively (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). Hence, it is reasonable to examine the case in detail to suggest ways to eliminate the specified factors correlating with environmental risks.
Concessions
One of the essential aspects affecting the emissions in China is the government’s concession management. Its consideration is essential due to the fact that local businesses play a significant role in the development of the issue (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). As can be seen from the current policy course, the majority of ideas in this direction are related to the mentioned environmental concerns’ mitigation through accurate predictions, allowing to implement solutions for the energy sector (Xu et al., 2019). They are complemented by the efforts on limiting the access of companies to natural resources through the introduction of carbon restraints and optimization of coal production alongside the deployment of new CO2 emission reduction technologies (Huang et al., 2019). Moreover, the overuse of land and water required for disposing of municipal solid waste is examined by the authorities, which insist on infrastructure restructuring (Ma et al., 2018). In this way, it can be concluded that China is attempting to improve its positions in the rating of countries by their annual greenhouse gas emissions through restricting the economic activity connected to this area.
Refutations
The analysis of restricting governmental actions performed above in terms of eliminating the mentioned side effect of the enhanced industrial progress allows concluding on the three main directions of their initiatives. They are the introduction of new rules for businesses, the shift in fuel manufacturing, and the forecasts of future outcomes of possible solutions to this critical situation. Subsequently, their combination is viewed as an optimal way for overcoming the difficulties adversely affecting the contributions of China to the global task of environmental protection.
Nevertheless, despite the seeming effectiveness of the proposed plans, these projects are insufficient for addressing the scourge of greenhouse gas pollution. The bases for this claim and the refutation of the previously described stance are the results of other studies indicating the controversy stemming from the existing economic schemes (Zhang et al., 2019). For example, the planned construction of a new airport in Beijing and the facilities for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games do not correlate with the general policy on the reduction of emissions (Zhang et al., 2019). Thus, it is impossible to agree with the presented benefits of China’s approach to the problem contrasted by continuing achievements in the field, and the provision of additional solutions is needed.
Solution 1: Renewable Energy
The first suggestion with regard to the necessity to minimize the impact of greenhouse gas on climate change as its main driver is the orientation on elaborating renewable energy. According to the recent governmental report, the principal actions in this relation were limited to the recognition of the importance of air quality and the offer to meet the corresponding standards by reducing emissions (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). However, there are no data regarding new inventions allowing not to manage but eliminate the threat (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). Hence, this neglect serves as the grounds for proposing to pay more attention to alternative sources of energy.
In this case, the modification should come in the form of green investments in contrast to the promotion of the carbon market. For instance, Liao (2018) claims that the latter’s growth can be slowed down through the adoption of an innovative economic model. This practice should be designed based on stricter environmental regulations, the inclusion of tertiary industries, subsidies on renewable energy production, and taxing coal consumption (Liao, 2018). Such a drastic shift will result in short-term financial losses for the present-day Chinese enterprises, but the resolution of the issue of continuously increasing greenhouse gas emissions seems unlikely without it.
Solution 2: Changes in Transportation
The second way to address the identified gaps in ecological measures in China is the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles. It is especially vital due to the primary focus of the government on revealing illegal gas stations and poor-quality oil goods instead of decreasing the dependence on this sphere (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). The former approach has already proved to be inefficient in the long run, and this fact makes the need for finding an alternative way a priority in combatting the problem (Hao et al., 2017). Although this decision might be ineffective from the point of view of expenses, its drawbacks are sufficiently compensated by its suitability to mitigate climate change. Moreover, the consequent replacement of automobiles with battery electric vehicles is possible, even though it will require the fulfillment of the first condition described above, which is the global alteration of the market (Liao, 2018). In this way, the efficiency of the suggested method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be explained by the fact that it beneficially complements other programs in this regard and ensures their positive results.
Solution 3: Policy Regarding Foreign Companies
The third solution to the emerged environmental concerns related to air pollution by CO2 is the adaptation of China’s economic policies with consideration of their influence on the examined tissue. More specifically, it is connected to the provision of beneficial terms for worldwide businesses willing to relocate their production to increase profits. Since the country is attractive for potential investors and entrepreneurs, they significantly affect its ecological indicators (Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the People’s Republic of China, 2019). What is more important, the complications in this situation stemming from the companies’ selection of Chinese manufacturers as cheaper options for their products’ realization are not recorded in the statistics (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). In turn, the provision of general information on the subject does not present a complete picture. Meanwhile, it makes the demonstration of their share in the process impossible.
To eliminate this obstacle to implementing environmental programs aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical to creating additional barriers to the companies’ entry into China’s market at the state level. They should equalize the opportunities for businesses in other locations around the world with the benefits of the selected place. As a result, this transition will allow ensuring the sustainability of resources corresponding to the matter and, thereby, make a difference for the country’s ecology as a whole.
Future Considerations
Considering all the circumstances around the task of environmental protection and, particularly, air pollution by CO2, China’s outcomes in combatting this challenge remain unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is important to consider the unaddressed aspects in the future. As follows from the analysis above, they include the absence of effective tools for the development of renewable energy sources and the requirement for a wide application of the existing eco-friendly technologies. These steps should be accompanied by the orientation of the government on the compliance of local businesses with international green standards instead of attracting foreign actors focused on profits in the first place. Although the given ideas might lead to financial losses, they are inevitable if China wants to solve the problem and mitigate the risks for the world ecology. From this perspective, sustainable industrial management is conditional upon the adoption of the designed method. As for the concerns of businesses, they should be incorporated into the plan, and the risks deriving from the proposed modifications should be mitigated by the government alongside other measures.
Conclusion
To summarize, the plans of China to reduce greenhouse emissions and thereby improve the quality of air is insufficient for eliminating the implied risks. Hence, the country’s policies should be readjusted in accordance with considerations relevant to the intention to deal with the cause and not the effects. In other words, the establishment of standards for industries dependent on coal is less productive than using renewable energy, eco-friendly technologies for transportation, and the change in operations with foreign companies. Thus, the outcomes of Chinese environmental programs will be positive only in the case if the government shifts the perceptions from the side effects to actual threats.
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Greenhouse gasses accumulate in the earth’s surface, forming a mirror that reflects heat radiation on the earth’s surface. In cases where the air is polluted by green house emissions, then these greenhouse gasses block the reflected sunlight radiations from reflecting back to the atmosphere, leaving them just at the earth’s surface.
This increases the temperature on the earth’s surface. This is not only harmful to human beings, but to all living organisms including plants and animals.
When these gasses are released in large amounts, they result into global warming. This is the increase in the temperatures of the earth’s air surface and the subsequent increase in the water levels. It results from numerous human activities that emit gasses that prevent the radiation of sunlight back to the atmosphere.
Generally, when sunlight reaches the earth’s surface, an amount of it is reflected back to the atmosphere at a higher wavelength; when this happens, the earth’s temperatures are regulated.
This paper looks at the causes of increased emissions of greenhouse gasses and their effects. It also looks at some of the solutions that can be adopted to remedy this situation, which include use of renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, conservation farming, and regulatory measures.
Causes and Effects
Green house gasses cause the heating and cooling of the earth. Global warming occurs when these gasses exceeds a certain limit. Some of these gasses are released to the atmosphere through natural process although most of them result from increased human activities; some of these activities are agriculture, deforestation, and industrialization.
As forests are converted into farmland and cities, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere mainly because all living things contain a given amount of carbon dioxide and when they die, carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere.
If forests and grasslands are cleared, large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in them are released into the atmosphere, increasing the volume of the greenhouse gasses (Union of Concerned Scientists 2).
For a long time now, oceans have been known to store a lot of carbon dioxide. They act as a carbon sink and can hold back more than 50 times of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, thermal stratification of the oceans has resulted in a reduction of the ocean’s ability to hold carbon dioxide.
Ocean’s can now hold very little levels of carbon dioxide leaving the rest in the atmosphere, which consequently results in global warming (U.S. Department of Energy 4).
On the other hand, the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes oceans to acidify, leading to the death of the plants found in the ocean thereby weakening the ocean’s ability to store carbon.
Globalization and technological advancement has contributed immensely towards the increase in the number of industries in the world. In the process of production, fuel is required to run some machines; however, this fuel is a major source of pollution to the environment.
Fossil fuels, for example, emit gasses (when burnt) that are harmful to human beings and the environment at large. The commonly used nonrenewable energy resource is fossil fuels, which comprise come in different forms such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. These fuels have been used for along period since industrial revolution.
They are easy to use because they just need an easy combustion. Although they are easy to use, this combustion results in air pollution that greatly affects the environment. The consumption of fossil fuels by the energy infrastructure is one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gasses, which are responsible for recent global warming and climate change concern (U.S. Department of Energy 2).
These activities Releases three types of gases that make up the greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide (Anon. “Cause and effect for global warming” 3)
The following chart shows the annual emission of greenhouse gases by sector
Source: “Cause and effect for global warming.” Time for change, 2007. Web.
From the above chart, it is clear that power stations releases the highest percentage of greenhouse gases (21.3%) especially methane and carbon dioxide. Agriculture byproducts release 40% and 62% of methane and nitrous oxide respectively.
This graph shows the carbon dioxide emissions in tons over the last 200 years (1800-2000).
Source: “Cause and effect for global warming.” Time for change, 2007. Web.
From the above graph, it is clear that the total amount of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere has been on the increase since 1800. Petroleum seems to be emitting a lot of carbon than all the other fossil fuels. This is because most people rely on petroleum energy sources since it is believed to be cheaper and easy to use. Cement production releases the lowest level of carbon followed by natural gas.
Solutions
Renewable Energy Sources
Kyoto protocol that was ratified in Japan, on 11 December 1997 and was aimed at being fully implemented by 16 February 2005 recommends for adoption of clean technology. The main aim of the protocol was to ensure that emission of green house gases (carbon gases) was reduced by 5% (below their level in 1990) by the end of 2010 (U.S. Department of Energy 3).
The clean energy blueprint investigated on ways of promoting diversity in production of energy and its conservation, and looked into the cost effective methods. It recommended the use of alternative methods of generating energy and emphasized on the use of renewable sources such as wind and geothermal.
The use of renewable energy is both cost effective and friendly to the environment. For instance, running water is used to create electricity in the hydroelectric systems. Another type of renewal energy that can be used for sustainable environment is the solar power. This energy is got directly from the sun by use of solar panels.
In addition, wind energy has been used throughout history; it has been used to power boats, to drive windmills, and many other uses (Union of Concerned Scientists 3). Differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure cause movements in the air, which is known as the wind. This movement is then transformed into energy by use of a generator.
Another source of power is Geothermal power, which is generated when the radioactive elements heats the earth’s crust (Cubby 50). This heat is then carried by water or magma to the earth’s surface and it becomes detectable in the form of hot springs as geysers. This heat can be used to power turbines leading to the generation of electricity. Biomass is one of the well-established sources of energy and among the oldest in the world. Stored plants energy is converted to produce biomass energy that can be used for lighting and heating
Conservation Farming
In devising a reaction strategy, the Australian government has put emphasis on so-called ‘no regrets’ measures; those that offer industry net benefits as well as addressing the greenhouse gas outcome, or at least those that have no net cost in the long run.
It gives the impression that a comparable no-regrets strategy will as well be necessary to persuade farmers to espouse new practices, and the linking of emission lessening through preservation tillage with enhancement of soil quality will be indispensable (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 72).
The objectives of tillage require the use of manifold cultivations, the frequencies of this cultivation being dictated by the existing climatic conditions and understanding of the farmers.
Even though the traditional tillage practices in many countries were at first imported from European agriculture, they have advanced into an assortment of locally modified practices. In the modern times, there is escalating understanding that the soil is not only a significant constituent of our production system, but that it plays a vital role in the preservation of local, regional, and international environment quality.
At the farm level, conservation farming has become more and more conventional and it is anticipated that some form of this structure is accomplished on more than fifty percent of land across all states (Commonwealth of Australia 57).
Nuclear Energy
Use of nuclear energy reduces emission of carbon to the environment. Nuclear fusion reaction produces heat, which in turn heats water that produces electricity. In countries that use nuclear power, their waste from fuel (that they use) is minimal; it is estimated to be 1%. This means that nuclear energy produces far less industrial waste than fossil energy. Emissions produced from a nuclear energy can be tapped and used for other factors (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 74).
Uranium and plutonium, that are major components of a nuclear energy plant, can be tapped up to 95% and used to make mixed oxide oil. As demand for fuel in industries is growing, national oil reserves and oil wells are draining; they are highly depleted, and since they take a long period to mature, relying on them for generation of electricity can be seen as a short-term measure. Moreover, nuclear energy can be manufactured in laboratories so that if well regulated, it can be the future energy source.
Regulatory Measures
Emerging technologies are being developed to reduce or eliminate these greenhouse emissions. Anticipated carbon dioxide emissions gradually augmented from 1988 to 1995 and it is probable that it may increase further by the end of this year. To control the amount of carbon dioxide released from industries, most governments have put strict regulatory measures, such as, the use of the cap-and-trade.
This is a market-based method for controlling carbon dioxide emissions by use of tradeoffs and incentives. In this method, an aggregate cap is sought in all the energy sources, which are then allowed to trade among themselves as a way of establishing the source that emit a lot of pollution to the environment (Fischer 101).
Under a rate-based baseline-and-credit plan, firms are prescribed a performance standard spelling out the target industry emission rate (Dewees 513). An emission rate represents the emission technology level of a firm and is the amount of pollution that is emitted per unit of output.
A carbon tax would be an efficient control method because it will discourage companies from releasing gasses into the atmosphere. However, in order to achieve the desired results, the tax should increase as the level of gasses released increase for it to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee 72).
Recommendations
The most effective way to reduce the level of carbon emissions is the use of renewable energy sources. By use of these sources, the greenhouses gasses caused by combustion of fuel will reduce since most of the renewable sources are clean and inexhaustible. These renewable sources cannot be exploited as compared to the non-renewable ones because they are replenished naturally.
Most of these sources are harvested in their natural form and thus requires very little operation costs. Solar energy is the simplest to manage since solar panels can be fixed on existing buildings and it does not interfere with other land activities
Conclusion
As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, global warming occurs. The consumption of fossil fuels by the energy infrastructure is one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gases, which are responsible for recent global warming and climate change concerns. The Government’s goal is to play an active part in global efforts to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to avoid reaching dangerous levels, and to adapt to the climate change that is now inevitable.
The global demand to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is receiving great concern presently. The most effective way to address this problem is to utilize the renewable energy resources, which are clean, and release minimal amount of gases. Utilization of nuclear power can also counter the problem of global warming.
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1995 with Methodology Supplement Environment Australia. Canberra: National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Committee, 1997. U.S. Department of Energy. “Energy Sources.” Washington, DC. Web.
Union of Concerned Scientists (USC). “Clean Energy Blueprint: A Smarter National Energy Policy for Today and the Future.” Union of Concerned Scientist, 2010. Web.
Global warming is a global problem that has raised a lot of concern. This issue has attracted attention of many researchers with the aim of finding ways of address it. The environment is vital for human survival. Both plants and animals entirely depend on the environment for growth and development.
Casper (2010, p. 94) argues that since the days of industrial revolution, the environment and its resources have greatly been threatened. Industries have been reported to affect the environment at a very high rate. This is because of the high levels of greenhouse gases emitted from these industries. This situation is worsened by the fact that now many nations are developing and there is a rising level of industrialization.
The concentration of greenhouse gases in the environment is increasing on daily basis. Carbon sinks have been cleared with the increase of the high demanding population across nations. Epstein (1990, p. 121) points out that effects of global warming are evident and felt with serious damages to nations. For example, many nations are suffering from frequent floods, droughts, tornadoes, poor and unequal rainfall patterns, and many other effects resulting from global warming.
Among the developed nations, the United States and China lead in emission of the greenhouse gases and hence frequently suffer from the effect of the same. The developing countries are equally emitting high levels of greenhouse gases in their quest to develop. These emissions however produced from different nations have a global impact.
According to Ramseur and Yacobucci (2008, p. 112), the environment as said earlier is very useful for sustaining human life. For people to continue enjoying the environmental resources the environment should therefore be conserved and its resources harvested sustainably. This paper seeks to explore the ways in which greenhouse gases can be reduced to curb global warming.
Discussion
With an effort to address global warming, many suggestions and ways have been raised to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and avoid global warming are not a one man’s or one nation’s duty. There is need for nations to collaborate.
A participatory approach where every member of the society is involved can be very effective. Many ways can be employed to reduce emission of greenhouse gases. The governments should enact and implement policies that are geared towards reducing emissions of the greenhouse gases. These policies should strictly encourage a Zero emission of greenhouse gases. If an industry has to emit either of the greenhouse gases, a fixed level of emission that is harmless to the environment should be stated.
The government should ensure that such industries, companies, and businesses report publicly on their carbon emissions. This will make the companies to be extra careful not to emit or exceed the required emission levels. Low- carbon technologies should be encouraged in all sectors to reduce greenhouse gases emission.
This may be achieved by the government offering some donations to its citizens to install low-carbon technologies like use of solar energy. A nation may also apply principles like the polluter pay principle where a company or an individual pays a certain fee for polluting the environment. Industries may be forced to pay equally to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment.
This will help in making the companies and the public to be more responsible and careful in handling their emissions and other wastes. According to Casper (2010, p. 78), Carbon sinks such as forests have been cleared for agricultural purposes to provide for the needs of the daily increasing population.
Nations should create awareness to the public on the need to have small families. The importance of forests should as well be explained to communities. By so doing, these communities will consequently conserve the forests.
This will highly contribute in reducing the concentration levels for greenhouse gases. There is need for nations to encourage companies and people within the communities to practice recycling and re-use of items. Things like polythene bags may be recycled. This reduces the accumulation of such polythene bags into the environment thereby reducing the amount of emissions when they are burnt as wastes in the environment.
According to Ramseur and Yacobucci (2008, p. 78), there are many other ways although not put into consideration by many nations that can help in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases effectively.
These may include holding energy management awards, rewarding companies with zero or less emission, promoting carbon-trading, rewarding communities with well-conserved forests among others. These factors motivates companies and communities to work hard towards ensuring that they do not ,engage in ,activities that in any way leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. All these factors when applied results to a greenhouse gases free nation, thereby curbing global warming and its impacts.
Conclusion
The discussion above clearly points out that environment is a source of livelihood for many lives. Reducing greenhouse gases is very important in ensuring that this environment is protected in order to ensure its sustainability. The greenhouse gases have serious negative consequences to the environment. The impact is long lasting and devastating. If not addressed properly, this issue may create a permanent negative impact on the environment.
List of References
Casper, J 2010, Greenhouse gases: Worldwide Impacts, Facts on File, New York.
Epstein, J 1990, Controlling the greenhouse effect: Five global regimes compared, Brookings Institution, Washington.
Ramseur, J & Yacobucci, B 2008, Greenhouse gases: Management, reduction, and impact, Novinka Books, New York.
Greenhouse gases are capable of emitting and absorbing radiations [1]. Some of these gases include carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrous oxide, and methane. Greenhouse gases tend to affect the earth’s temperature and ocean levels. Human activities such as industrialization, energy production, and deforestation have contributed a lot to the increasing levels of greenhouse gases. In the future, greenhouse gases will increase unless human beings undertake new actions to reduce emissions. This paper will offer critical predictions of greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse Gases Predictions
From the mid 18th century, human beings have been clearing natural forests. Man has always burned fossils. The practice has significantly contributed to the increasing amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The level of such gases might increase in the coming years. This is true because human beings have failed to undertake adequate measures to deal with this problem. Some analysts believe that carbon dioxide emissions might go down. However, it is not quite clear whether this is achievable. It is agreeable that the future of the universe depends mostly on human activities. The current levels of carbon dioxide will reduce by 2100 if human beings undertake new measures to reduce emissions [1].
Fig 1: Predictions of greenhouse gas concentrations for four scenarios
Some other experts expect global temperatures to have increased by 2100. If the level of greenhouse gases increases in the future, global temperatures will increase by 2.5-5.5 degrees centigrade by 2100. Some parts of the world will record larger temperature changes [2]. Changes in greenhouse gases affect global temperatures. This affects the quality of human life. The graph below shows different scenarios of projected greenhouse gas emissions by 2100 and possible temperature changes.
Fig 2: Predications for global temperature increase
According to the above illustrations, greenhouse gas emissions will always be a major source of problems. The agreeable fact is that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will be on the rise unless human beings come up with new strategies. Continued emissions of such gases will result in greater climate changes. Increased levels of greenhouse gas will result in new changes such as warmer oceans and atmospheres [3]. These gases will promote new changes such as increased sea levels and uneven precipitation patterns.
The ever-increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will eventually increase global temperatures. The situation will reduce snow and ice cover. As well, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will make oceans more acidic. Such changes will affect food production and availability [3].
This will affect human health, destroy infrastructure, and disorient ecosystems. The current shortage of water arises from changing weather changes. That being the case, the present and future greenhouse emissions will have tremendous impacts on climate and human life.
Conclusion
Most of the greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for very many years. This explains why global temperatures will be on the rise in the coming years. These temperatures will have greater impacts on ocean water thus affecting climatic patterns [4]. This discussion shows clearly that the extent of future changes will depend on what human beings do today in an attempt to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
The world will record larger climatic changes if human beings continue to emit more greenhouse gases. These changes will continue to affect food supply, ecosystems, health, infrastructure, and water resources. This discussion explains why human beings should come up with new strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reference List
[1] K. Beven. Environmental Modeling: An Uncertain Future? New York: CRC Press, 2010, pp. 45-49.
[2] E. Page. Climate Change, Justice and Future Generations. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2007, pp. 72-75.
[3] D. Coley. Energy and Climate Change: Creating a Sustainable Future. New York: Wiley, 2008, pp. 65-68.
[4] I. Jones. Engineering Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, pp. 29-32.
Greenhouse gases are often known for their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere and consequently contribute to climate change. Greenhouse gases normally occur either naturally or artificially, through man’s activities.
The most common natural greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide but most greenhouses gases are artificial and they include methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases and the likes (EPA 2011). Greenhouse gas emissions have been a common issue in most environmental debates because it is affirmed that the emission of greenhouse gas is one primary cause of global warming.
Most greenhouse gases are known to originate from developed economies but recent years have seen several countries try to reduce their emissions together. Developing countries are also quickly joining the global trend but much focus has been on developed countries because of their huge contribution to these emissions (Miller 2006, p. 483).
The reason behind this accusation is based on the increase in globalization around the world where companies in developed countries export their manufacturing processes to other regions across the globe. More so, the “outsourcing” trend has significantly contributed to this trend. However, the world still has a long way to go before it truly achieves the goal of a pollution-free planet.
This study focuses on United Kingdom’s greenhouse gas emissions and what the country has done (or can do) to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Records showing the changes in greenhouse gas emissions will be factored in the study, plus the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Overall, the study evaluates the determining factors of the changes in greenhouse gas emissions and possible lessons that the world can learn to make the planet a safer place.
Trend
UK has in the recent years significantly reduced its greenhouse gas emissions. According to estimates taken between the years, 2008 and 2009, it was documented that, the European nation reduced its greenhouse gas emission by about 9% (Harvey, 2011).
When analyzed in terms of the country’s progress since the year 2009, it is established that, UK has reduced its greenhouse gases by about 18%. However, this is still a long way from the country’s ultimate goal of achieving a greenhouse gas emission cut of 80% by the end of the year 2050 (Harvey 2011). However, the country seems to be on its way.
Nonetheless, there are pessimistic sentiments advanced by several scientists who establish that the UK is probably responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than it takes responsibility for (Rees 2011). This assertion is made on the basis that, the UK does not account for the goods it consumes from developing nations where greenhouse gases are emitted in the production of such goods.
The same trend is said to apply to other nations in the developed world. However, according to the Kyoto protocol, countries can only claim greenhouse gas emission produced within their borders (Rees 2011, p. 5).
This observation therefore means that, technically, UK may be on its way towards significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, but realistically, it may be responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than it takes responsibility for.
Nonetheless, regardless of the computation method, it is said that, the drop in greenhouse gas emission, especially through the 2008/2009 period was specifically attributed to the global recession which was felt at the time. From this understanding, some observers note that, UK should not celebrate the fact that, it is on its way towards achieving its ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 80% yet (Rees 2011, p. 5).
Regardless of the above arguments, greenhouse gas emissions can only be predicted through a forecast on man’s activities. In a past study, it was established that, greenhouse gas emissions was going to increase over the next few decades starting from the year 1990 (Rees 2011).
According to the article, the future is bleak, considering many countries are increasing their demand for fossil fuel emanating from an increase in economic growth. This trend can be evidenced from the emergence of new economic powers such as China, India and Brazil which continuously increase their demand for fossil fuel through economic growth.
The trend is no different for developed economies because their economic growth is not stagnant. Generally, it can be said that, the world is quickly increasing its demand for fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions are going to increase as a result, if something is not done to curb the trend. The following factors however determine its intensity.
Politics
Political will is important in reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is true because in as much as the production of greenhouse gas is an environmental issue, its eradication can be easily done by exercising political muscle.
Considering developed nations contribute the biggest percentage of greenhouse gas emission, there has been a poor political will from some of these nations to significantly reduce their greenhouse gases. This is true because by strongly advocating for the reduction of greenhouse gases, they would be “shooting themselves on the foot” because they are the biggest culprits in climate change.
Developing nations have therefore been most vocal in petitioning environmental bodies to act towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions because ironically, the effects of greenhouse gas emissions (climate change) has been strongly felt in the developing world.
Such is the case evidenced in parts of Africa where there have been severe droughts and floods, killing thousands of people, while the continent produces lower greenhouse gases as compared to its developed counterparts.
It is therefore unfortunate that, countries which have the weakest voice in the eradication of greenhouse gases are the most strongly affected. These observations have led many experts to suggest that, developed nations have to stand up and show their political will in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The laxities of developed nations in reducing their greenhouse gases can be attributed to the fact that, some of the world’s biggest multinationals which are responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions originate from the developed world (Miller 2006, p. 483). In fact, the biggest oil companies in the world such as British Petroleum (BP) Exxon Mobil and Shell originate from either the US or the UK.
These companies are known to profit a lot from the consumption of fossil fuel because this is their major business line (Fearn 2010, p. 192).
Moreover, their operations have been known to dent a blow towards the fight for a greener and safer world because they still contribute to environmental degradation from accidents such as oil spills. This is the case evidenced from the recent BP oil disaster in the Gulf region of Mexico (Hiles 2010, p. 619).
Unfortunately, such multinationals have a strong political backing from representative governments and therefore advancing the “climate change” agenda is proving to be a difficult task. This is true because some politicians and governmental officials are known to get financial backing from such multinationals, but at the same time; they are supposed to advance climate change agendas (Fearn 2010, p. 192).
Here, the case of “do not bite the hand that feeds you” surfaces because environmentalists and politicians alike cannot speak out against climate change if they benefit from such multinationals which contribute to the production of greenhouse gases.
For instance, Exxon Mobil has gone on record purporting that, climate change is not caused by the production of greenhouse gases, and in the same manner, the burning of fossil fuel cannot be directly attributed to climate change (Fearn 2010, p. 192).
Similar accusations have also been leveled against the company on grounds that, it is financing protestors at climate events to distract the entire debate regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases and climate change as a whole (Fearn 2010, p. 192).
In the UK, the reduction of greenhouse gases or UK’s carbon footprint has often waivered along the list of issues of priorities for successive governments. For instance, it is reported by Grice (2010) that, conservative members of parliament do not share Cameron’s view of placing the country’s reduction of greenhouse gases a matter of priority.
Grice (2010) further affirms that, “reducing Britain’s carbon footprint was rated the lowest of 19 possible priorities for a Cameron government” (p. 6).
Prior to the UK elections, it was established that, if Cameron tried to scale up the issue of climate change in the list of national priorities for the UK government (either on the domestic or international front), he was going to face stiff opposition not only from rebel members but also members of his own party (Grice 2010). From this analysis, the issue of greenhouse gas emission seems to be largely vulnerable to political intrigues.
In the US, the situation is no different. Politics plays a big role in the determination of greenhouse gas emissions as can be evidenced from the split in the Supreme Court’s admission of the Clean air Act which is expected to impose a nationwide attempt at regulating the emission of carbon dioxide (Kemp 2009).
In fact, the support of the clean air act has been narrowed to the contribution of five judges, where one is expected to be the swinger vote because the rest are divided along political lines (Kemp 2009, p. 4).
Moreover, the imposition of the Clean air act is viewed by some observers as a strategy to make America’s environmental protection agency an economic tool and a business regulator institution. This view is greatly criticized. Kemp (2009) affirms that:
“It would provoke howls of rage from Congress about by-passing the normal legislative process, a criticism to which Democrats are sensitive having accused the Bush administration of much the same thing during its eight years in office. The party is wary of being blamed for raising energy costs for ordinary businesses and consumers without some political cover” (p. 8).
From this understanding, the American government and the environmental protection agency is compromised if it wants to employ any legislative muscle to curb greenhouse gas emissions because it would be subject to legislative battles.
Investments
Investment from the government and private sector is crucial to the reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the UK. These investments are normally centered on developing alternative sources of energy to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuel.
One major type of energy investment in this context is the nuclear power energy which seeks to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation (Bühl 2011). Moreover, investment in nuclear energy is bound to reduce the reliance of coal which also contributes to the production of greenhouse gases.
Collectively, investments in renewable energy is a viable solution to the reduction in green energy but the giant multinationals, in collaboration with the government, ought to be at the forefront in the perfection of green energy use.
For example, the uplifting of solar power to be one major energy source is a sustainable green energy solution which is supposed to reduce UK’s reliance on fossil fuel.
Though many parts of Europe are not endowed with this energy source, investors in other parts of the world have embraced this energy source and continuously continue to harvest solar power. Such is the case in the US where the government has invested in harvesting solar energy in certain parts of California (Bühl 2011).
In the UK, wind energy seems a better alternative source of energy production, though experts note that, it cannot be relied on as a base source of energy because of its unreliability. This situation leaves nuclear energy as a sustainable and a more reliable source of energy for the UK, although experts also have concerns regarding its use.
The recent Japan nuclear disaster has especially increased concerns about the safety of relying on nuclear energy to supplement a country’s energy needs.
Regardless of these arguments, in the fight against climate change and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear energy seems a reliable source of energy when compared with solar and wind power. This means that safety concerns ought to be addressed if sustainable green energy is to be realized.
Nonetheless, investors who need to invest in renewable sources of energy have not yet shown their full commitment in undertaking more research in renewable energy and producing equipments that rely on clean energy for the future.
Commitment from giant multinationals and the government is key in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK because investments in green energy cannot be sustained by individuals (because of its capital intensive nature). In other words, it is only the government and private investors who can sustain investments into green energy solutions.
Government Involvement
In as much as the government needs to partner with the private sector in investing in renewable sources of energy, the biggest player in making countries reduce their greenhouse gas emission is the government. The government’s involvement is key because it has a legislative authority over all companies engaged in the production of greenhouse gases.
It is only through the government’s might that large multinationals can comply with greenhouse gas legislations. It is also through the government’s involvement that effective greenhouse gas policies can be formulated to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas.
Governments can either directly or indirectly regulate the emission of greenhouse gases by ensuring companies comply with regulations governing the emission of greenhouse gases. There are several ways the UK government can manage to accomplish this goal. One primary way of doing so is imposing high taxes on companies which emit greenhouse gas.
In this manner, companies are also bound to invest in finding green energy solutions to avoid high government taxes. For instance, in the US, California has been on the forefront in establishing stringent regulations binding companies to operate in environmentally friendly ways.
There are also increased calls for the government to establish automobile standards to govern all automobile companies in California to produce energy efficient cars because it has been affirmed that the transport sector is one primary platform where green house gas emission is most intense (Kemp, 2009).
There have been similar calls in the UK for the government to establish regulations governing the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere because it is estimated that about 20% of the world’s greenhouse gases are produced from the transport sector (Kemp, 2009). However, the government’s involvement in regulating the industry is a matter of debate as is evidenced by Reuters (2009) which establish that:
“respondents (65 percent) believe the government should regulate greenhouse gases from sources like power plants, cars and factories, including those who believe this strongly (50 percent) or somewhat (15 percent). Only a minority think the government should not regulate them (29 percent).
While the margin favoring regulation has narrowed since the middle of the year (when it was 75 percent to 22 percent), probably in response to a vigorous opposition campaign, there is still a clear majority in favor of taking some action on climate change”.
However, the biggest problem among citizens in increasing government pressure to establish environmental regulation is when they are faced with several cost estimates that allow for a periodic estimate in the increase of household costs such as electricity bills.
Lessons for the Future
The reduction of greenhouse gas is an effort that should be forged on a comprehensive front because no single entity can win the fight alone. Lessons to be learnt from these analyses are therefore centered on the importance of having a comprehensive approach towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
However, in the case of UK, it needs to partner with other European nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since there is already an existing framework of the European Union where such an effort can be initiated (House of Commons 2007, p. 3). The initiative will therefore involve hundreds of firms which will have to operate within a given framework of environmental regulations.
The administration of environmental laws to curb greenhouse gas emission can also be implemented under the framework of the European Union because it is easier to do so, and it will be an efficient way of covering significant strides in the fight against climate change.
In making the entire initiative a success, it is important that the allowances to produce carbon should be kept at the operational minimum and their market price should also be high (House of Commons 2007, p. 3). This strategy will ensure businesses in the UK transform their strategies and technical processes for “greener” solutions.
In the same manner, many companies would be willing to invest in “greener” sources of energy and this will ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The much needed input of private investors will therefore be realized in this manner. Also, as part of the comprehensive approach to reduce global emissions, it is important that EU sets realistic targets which are to be determined through realistic computational techniques.
Since there are existing concerns about the best methods to reduce greenhouse gas emission in the UK, it is essential that environmental protection agencies work by learning from their past.
Considering the reduction in greenhouse gas emission is largely a behavioral issue, it is important for adequate media coverage to be focused on the reduction of greenhouse gas by complying companies so that other companies may be influenced to do the same.
In other words, it is important for the UK government to spread the lessons of good practice to other companies by starting some form of countrywide movement towards green energy reliance and designing operational activities to be more efficient and reliable so that fossil fuel use can be minimized.
The government’s involvement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future can also not be underestimated because it needs to set emission caps for companies operating in the UK. Europe in general has not faired so badly in light of this effort and the UK is a leader too.
However, the sustainability of this initiative is at the centre of the reduction of green house gases because the fight against climate change cannot be won without the contribution of the government.
When striving to meet environmental targets set by the UK and the EU in general, it is not only enough for the UK government to uphold environmental policies because more complimentary policies also need to be formulated to support ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions (House of Commons 2007, p. 3).
Conclusion
The revolution into green energy is the new frontier of energy reliance because of the adverse effects that the globe is experiencing as a result of greenhouse gas emissions. This study acknowledges that, the move into green and sustainable energy is not as smooth as it should be because there are several determinants to the reduction in greenhouse gases and intensity in the UK, and indeed the rest of the world.
So far, the biggest determinant in greenhouse gas emission is the political will needed from all concerned stakeholders in making the process a success. Across the world, the influence of giant companies and their grip on politicians seem to be the most crucial element barring the realization of a “green” world.
Political influence from compromised politicians and multinational companies which profit from activities that result in the emission of greenhouse gases seem to scale down the prioritization of greenhouse gas debate or global climatic concerns down the list of UK’s government priorities.
In this light, proponents of environmental conservations are compromised in more ways than one because not only do they need to serve the interest of the environment, they also need to cater for the interests of such companies, and the selfish interests of some few individuals.
However, this study acknowledges that this trend is not only unique to UK alone. Another major determinant of greenhouse gas emission is the level of investments made by the government and the private sector in seeking sustainable green energy sources like solar and wind power. If such investments can be upheld in the long-term, not only will UK realize a cut-back of greenhouse gases, but the entire world will realize the same.
Finally, at the apex of the entire debate, governmental involvement is essential in the reduction of greenhouse gases throughout the UK because it has the capability of directly influencing companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Comprehensively, when these elements are effectively addressed, greenhouse gas emissions will reduce by a significant amount.
References
Bühl, G. (2011) UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Should Boost Green Investment But Don’t Write Off Nuclear Yet. Web.
EPA. (2011) Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Web.
Fearn, R. (2010) Amoral America. New York, Amoral America.
