Pollution Essay: Climate Change

Since the nineties, our gas emissions have increased so much, the atmosphere suffers the consequences. In my opinion it is do to the slothful citizens of our country. We have so many different benefits in the United States that we tend to become a glutton to items we do not need such as televisions in every room, also, significantly, more than one car. Oftentimes it leads to driving to the mailbox right in front of the house. Therefore, Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, and Ozone, and smaller greenhouse gases such as Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons are released when they could’ve been prevented.

These gases collect a thick layer in the atmosphere. Out of the sunlight received on Earth, some of it escapes through space. With too much of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, some of the supposedly escaping heat is kept in Earth. Consequently, the heat causes very dire problems on our planet. “Global warming can lead to floods/droughts, increasing ocean temperatures: rising sea levels, polar caps melt (coastal cities?), and crop/forest damage due to changes in precipitation” (notes 02/21).

In order to avoid such horrible outcomes, gas emissions had to be improved; an agreement was made. In December 1997, one hundred and forty one countries met in Kyoto, Japan to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol. In this collaboration, it was discussed to reduce Carbon Dioxide and five other greenhouse gases or turn to engage trading. Engage trading is an economic system to reduce air pollution. If a country was to go over the emission’s quota, they had to buy how much of the gases were going to be over emission. The system of Emissions Trading could be somewhat compared to a cell phone bill; you get a certain amount of minutes, if you go over, you pay the amount. The Kyoto Protocol took affect in February 16th, 2005. Countries that did not participate were Australia, and not surprisingly, our beautiful United States.

Regardless of what my country decides or disagrees, I believe we should begin a new day without having to put these harmful substances on our air.