“Surface temperature has increased from 0.5 to 1.0 degrees since the nineteenth century. So as cold places get warmer, the polar ice caps will melt. Rainfall patterns will change, more rain in some areas and less in others, and severe weather patterns occur more often, meaning more floods, more storms, more hurricanes”(engageevent.gov/enviromental/23j). There has already been evidence of this happening. Globally, sea levels have risen 4-8 inches over the past century. “The frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased throughout much of the United States. So now we know that sea levels will rise between 50 to 80cm, over the next hundred years, by accurate scientific prediction”(yosemite.epa.gov/globalwarming). Many islands and coastal areas will be flooded, including Britain. Where will the animals and humans that live there go?
So by now we can tell that it is the energy sector that contributes most to Global Warming. We could therefore reduce emissions by reducing the amount of energy that is consumed. This can be achieved in several ways; one way is to tax energy to make it more expensive so people and industries use less. Another solution is to find ways of producing electricity and power from renewable energy sources; an example is wind power. Thankfully the European Union encourages research into these new methods. We can also increase efficiency of things that use energy. For example, more efficient cars would run on less petrol. The problem with this solution is that it may not be enough, because more people are using cars globally, so this will cancel out the impact of more efficient motors. All in all, a combination of these solutions is probably the answer. But we should each work independently, being responsible for our world, by reducing energy consumption and being careful about how we use it. For example we should go by public transport, where possible instead of cars. Nowadays, most refrigerators, washing machines and other Electro – domestic appliances have labels that indicate the energy they use. It is up to us to choose models that consume the least energy, until alternative solutions are found.
The Ozone layer is high up in the atmosphere, the Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen molecules. The Ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun reaching the earth’s surface. “Things that we use everyday, such as aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, plastic foam, agricultural pesticides, solvents and detergents release gases containing chlorine and bromide, which damage the Ozone molecules and break them up. This causes a thinning of the Ozone layer, and in some cases even leaves holes”(engageevent.gov/enviromental/23j).
One of the biggest worries about these gases is the damage lasts for many years, after they have been released into the atmosphere. High level Ozone is vital for our survival, but ground level Ozone is dangerous to our health. Car exhaust fumes like Nitrogen Oxides and volatile organic compounds combine to form Ozone, which performs a vital function in the upper atmosphere but is very harmful at ground level.
“The thinning of the Ozone layer can cause illnesses such as cataracts, skin cancer and genetic damage, and weakens people’s immune systems. Furthermore, Ultraviolet light seriously harms aquatic ecosystems. Scientists have calculated that loosing 16% of our Ozone would destroy 5% of phytoplankton, necessary for survival of aquatic ecosystems. Considering that phytoplankton is the main source of oxygen in the atmosphere and that this would lead to seven million tons of fish dying, you can understand how important high level Ozone is. Ground level Ozone, on the other hand, damages human health, causes bacterial lung infections, inflammation of the airways and lung shape changes”(yosemite.epa.gov/globalwarming).
Since we know which gases harm the Ozone layer, mainly those containing chlorine and bromide, the simplest solution would be to eliminate the use of these gases. However, the harmful gases have a wide range so banning them is a slow and difficult process. CFCs are now banned except for critical use such as in asthma inhalers and aircraft fire extinguishers. HCFCs and methylbromide are also being phased out. But don’t take this too lightly, the total elimination of these substances is urgent. Every five-year delay adds 18 years to the destruction of the Ozone layer!
Research is also ongoing into alternative Ozone friendly technologies. In fact, the European Union funds the world’s most important Ozone research program.
The best way the majority of the people can deal with the situation of globalisation, is to research and educate ourselves, and to try to learn as much as we can about the problems that effect us the most, and then try to find our own way of dealing with the problems.
