Research Paper On Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse Gases Aren’t so Green

The year is 2080 and polar bears, penguins, and all other Arctic wildlife have gone extinct. There is only 60% of land left in America which isn’t fully submerged in water. Nobody goes to the beach anymore because it’s too hot, and if you do, you are considered a daredevil because 50% of the time people pass out from the heat. As temperatures begin to rise more and more, we crank up the air conditioning, which only makes the outdoor temperature worse. This is the real problem with the world, and if we don’t watch it, gree

While some don’t think that global warming exists, it appears to be a real problem in today’s world. Global warming is a serious result which comes from the use of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse

gases (GHGs) are the leading contributing factor to global warming. These are certain gases in the atmosphere which absorb heat and, consequently, results in the heating of Earth’s surface. These gases let sunlight into the atmosphere, however they also insulate the Earth against the loss of heat (Blanchfield). This process of warming the Earth has increased incredibly over the past hundreds of years and is something which residents on Earth need to be cautious about. Not only are we carelessly adding to the temperature by emitting these gases, but the slightest effort is not being made in solving it. For example, rainforest deconstruction is also affecting the emission of GHGs, and we have been trying to terminate this for years. When trees are cut down, they allow an opening which sunlight can get through and access the forest floor. The sudden warming of the forest floor results in the immediate emission of dangerous GHGs such as CH4 and CO2 (Blanchfield). There are plenty more reasons for the emission of GHGs which could be solved, but have yet to be. In recent years, the Paris Agreement has shed a ray of hope to environmentalists by trying “to keep global temperatures well within 3.6 °F (2.0 °C) of their levels at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and to pursue efforts to keep the temperature increase below 2.7 °F (1.5 °C)” (Paris Agreement). While this was a good idea, we are still struggling against the rise of global temperatures considering that only a select amount of countries tend to comply with the reasoning behind this Agreement.
Unfortunately, global warming has come to affect everything around us in this world, including plants and animals.

The animals around us are struggling, especially if they are unable to adapt quickly enough to these climate changes, there could be “significant negative impacts” (Albeck-Ripka). The beginning of what affects us, as humans, is when our surrounding environment begins to change and alter itself. If even just one species is unable to survive, then an entire ecosystem could become imbalanced, thus creating fluxuations which even humans may not be able to handle in our surge for resources. Global warming is also affecting the rate that our plants and other resources grow at. rowing season in North America has recently began to commence four to twelve days later than in years past and has ended as early as one to seven days earlier than it should have (Morgan). These shorter growing seasons may not seem significant in comparison to the 365 days that are in a year, but they are actually affecting the wildlife as well, such as the moose. The wolf, the main predator of the moose in Minnesota, has began to hunt in larger packs due to the increased amount of snow. This caused the wolves to kill about three times as many moose than they had when they worked in smaller packs, thus decreasing the population size (Morgan). Not only is this another example of how temperature changes are affecting the organisms around us, but soon enough, the same thing could happen to

humans.
While many may be thinking that this is only affecting animals, you have yet to hear what this does to the population of Homo sapiens as we still exist on Earth as well. We are not immune to temperature changes, and this can affect us just as badly, if not worse than it has and will affect other ecosystems. As global temperatures rise, icebergs that once would have remained trapped in the frozen Arctic are now moving more southward faster and more frequently. Inevitably, these icebergs have been a menace in obstructing shipping and oil and gas drilling operations. According to Tim Donaghy, a Senior Research Specialist at Greenpeace USA, "The arctic is melting because of our reliance on oil, yet we're drilling for more of it. It's vicious feedback cycle that's not going to end well" (Berwyn).
Donaghy is right, we need to take care of our Earth if we plan to live on it for another one hundred years. The only way that this is possible is by regulating the use of fossil fuels, which emit the most amount of GHGs, and by setting a regulation on the amount of GHGs a person may emit each year. To begin this process, it is first crucial to stop destroying the things which are helping us with the best chance of survival--trees. As mentioned previously, the destruction of rainforests is in no way helping us. We do not need to increase the amount of open ground, nor do we need any more wood. There is no longer any use for wood with everything being in forms of technology, anyway. Also, for those who claim that the trees need to be cut down for living space, they should reconsider. There is plenty of space on Earth for the entire population without cutting down our saviors. It is crucial that we preserve these trees and plant new ones to help repair the damage that has already been done. There is also no need to increase the population of humans on Earth, for we are just increasing the burning of fossil fuels and as a result, emission of GHGs, by doing so. Each couple will have a limit of two children, which ensures that the population of humans will not grow beyond the current 7.6 billion. In order to decrease the amount of GHGs being emitted each year, there will be a new regulation based per household of the amount of GHGs that may be emitted each week. This will be regulated by ensuring that each air conditioner and refrigerator is replaced by those which do not emit nearly as much GHGs and will be monitored each week by a different environmental inspector in order to reduce bias. Further, for each item placed in the garbage which can be recycled, there will be one mark placed on that house. This goes from the incorrect bottle cap to a receipt. When one household has five marks, then they will pay a fine of one hundred dollars. This will encourage people to recycle, which reduces the amount of GHGs. Additionally, all cars must be electric. Any cars to be found that still run on gasoline will be confiscated and recycled. To be certain that this takes place, there will no longer be any gasoline sold at anywhere. And those who are found with oil will find the consequences immediately. Instead, we will be powering everything using alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, water, and geothermal power. Just imagine the greatness that the Earth can provide us naturally.
These resolutions, among a handful of others which will be put in place to ensure life of Earth for many more years to come, will not be taken lightly.

Anyone who violates these rules will be prosecuted and may even result in death after a third offense. With such a high population, the world can do with one less person who is putting the world at jeopardy. While many who don’t believe in global warming being a detrimental issues in this world may try to defy these laws, they will be quickly reprimanded. Anyone who is found trying to dig for, sell, or use oil coming from a “black market” will be taken to prison immediately. While these rules may seem harsh to some, they are simple to adhere to. There is a two year grace period in which everyone has time to acquire their alternative energy and electric cars, which is plenty of time. Should anyone need more time or resources for this altercation, please speak with your county’s head of environmental

affairs.
Within ten years, we should begin to see drastic changes in the way we and others think about the Earth. By this point everyone will be educated and accustomed to the newest forms of living--simple. We will begin to see new, green, trees growing everywhere and people may even begin to feel generally healthier with all of the harmful gases out of the way. While we are still unsure that the ozone can repair itself, we hopefully will not have noticed any severe deviation in temperature since the process first began.
Going green is an amazing feeling for everyone, and all should be excited about this life-changing plan. Not only are we bettering the Earth, but also ourselves. By doing something good for our environment, we are ensuring the future of our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and forever on. But this does not stop with just these changes; we need to continue to better the Earth for the rest of time. Increased science will provide us with more information in how to make the perfect Earth. But before we can move on and start considering the future, we need to worry about now. It starts with this generation. You have the ability to make the world safe and healthy for many years to come. Set the example for generations to come, and never lose sight of what this is all for. We need to save the world with one step at a time, starting with us.