Greenhouse Gases: Should These Gases be Regulated? Over the years it has become widely accepted that mankind has the ability to impact its environment immensely; both positively and negatively. Among these impacts is the ability of humans to affect the climate. This idea has been around since 1896, when Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius published the idea of the “greenhouse effect.” However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s when this idea began to gain support within the scientific community (Weart, 2012, para. 3 - 5). Along with the rise of environmentalism in the early 1970s came more research into the matter. Some studies and models supported claims of global warming, while others predicted smog and dust particles would lead to cooling temperatures (Weart, 2012, para. 8).
As a result to the uncertainty, research activity increased. Additional research showed that the longevity of the components required for global warming have a much longer life-span in the atmosphere, the majority of which are greenhouse gases (GHGs), when compared to those resulting in cooler temperatures (Weart, 2012, para. 8). By the late 1970s, global warming caught the attention of regulators worldwide (United Nations Climate Change [UNCC],
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In 2015, these five economic sectors emitted approximately 6,586.7 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2 equivalents (EPA, 2017 April 14). During this same period, petroleum refineries emitted 175.2 MMT of CO2 equivalents (CO2e), accounting for only 2.7 percent of the total domestic GHG emissions (EPA, 2017 November 17). The environmental impact of GHG emissions from these facilities are highly contested by regulators and industry. These varying beliefs have driven numerous debates and lawsuits over the regulation of GHG
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently adopted the first federal limits on air emissions from oil and gas, creating New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for certain pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds. In New York, fracking has been banned completely after the release of a revealing seven-year study of drilling practices. The future looks bright, and perhaps, as the need for alternative energy sources becomes more prevalent, the US will adopt safer
(Climate Change Action Plan) to ensure the directives government take are transparent and in line with COP 21 GHG emissions (see appendix) (see Figure 3)standards and provincial targets. (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 2016) Present Scenario Despite ON’s low-carbon electricity supply, 80% (see Figure 1)of total energy source is still fossil fuel based and that accounts for 70% of total GHG emissions (see Figure 2)in the province (see appendix). The retraction of coal fired refineries backed by presence of nuclear energy helped bring down the GHG emissions of electricity sector to 7%(of total 171 Mt, 2013) yet transportation, industry and building sectors
Global warming is a rise in the Earth’s global temperature, whether through natural or man-made circumstances. Factors causing global warming through natural means would be volcanic emissions and increased solar activity. The major issue with global warming is the progress of humankind. Increases in industrialization and deforestation, which release the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), act as a blanket in the atmosphere. CO2 with the combination of water vapor, trap heat from the sun between the atmosphere and the earth’s surface, causing a rise in temperature (Haldar, 2011).
Some people argue that natural gases are environmentally safer because they don 't emit as many harmful chemicals as similar oil products (Loris). However, these people don 't understand or have never been informed of the chemicals that are being forced into the ground water systems right below their very feet. New York is trying to implement new hydraulic fracturing regulations that would allow companies to drill an estimated 48,000 gas wells. Some people argue that New York will use these regulations to benefit both the environment and the economy. In reality, both will suffer if the hydraulic fracturing is used.
Burning fossil fuels is one of the main culprits that causes climate change because it releases gases into the atmosphere that trap in heat and create the greenhouse effect. According to Klaus S. Lackner, the director of the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions and a professor in School of Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University,”Dumping carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases into the air raises their concentrations in the atmosphere and causes gradual warming.” This gradual warming is causing many horrific effects
In the last century, mankind had changed their environment significantly comparing to previous centuries. The industrial revolution was a changing point in the history of mankind. The consumption of planet’s materials and energy resources had grown exponentially beyond any expectation. As a result of this exponential industrial and technological development, mankind had changed their surrounding and became more and more focused on achieving the impossible without considering the damage and destruction brought along the natural environment with this revolution. One of the major results of the overuse of planet’s resources is global warming.
Despite those who may disagree, evidence has clearly shown that the global warming of the past 50 years is a result of human actions (Melillo, Richmond, & Yohe, 2014, p. 12). There is no one cause of this. Instead the collective actions of burning fossil fuels for energy, increased agricultural activity, and deforestation are resulting in increased levels of green house gasses. We know this because these gasses have been measured and the increases have been observed (Melillo, Richmond, & Yohe, 2014, p. 28). Although there has been an effort to reduce emissions, there are still many sources of these types of gasses.
Climate change has been a problem in the world since the industrial revolution and has been denied by major corporations and the government for centuries. This is because most non-renewable resources are major industries (i.e. oil, electricity, water, etc.) and the world 's economy profits from these resources. The bulk of corporations prioritize their wealth over the condition of the Earth beneath them. Economic growth is important for the people, yes; it is how we develop as a society, but at what cost? The Earth takes the brunt of society 's success, and denying the inevitable will not stop it from occurring.
The greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides. While most of these gases occur in the atmosphere naturally, levels have been increasing due to the widespread burning of fossil fuels by growing human populations. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become a primary focus of environmental programs in countries around the world. Natural gas is cheaper and a more effiecent way to generate electrical power Oversee the implementation of Kentucky's comprehensive energy strategy. Provide leadership to enhance the benefits of energy efficiency and alternative energy through supporting awareness, technology development, energy preparedness, partnerships, and resource development.
What is global warming? Global Warming is the increase of Earth 's normal surface temperature due to impact of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide radiations from lighting fossil fuels or from the removal of trees which lure heat that would otherwise get away from Earth. This is a kind of greenhouse impact. Global warming is the determined and relieved increases in the mean temperature of Earth atmosphere and oceans.
Global warming is all about adverse climate change caused by the trapping of greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere that affects biodiversity and poses a serious health hazard. Scientists have found strong evidence that human activities have caused most of the warming since the mid-1900 (“global warming”). Humans are responsible for
Global warming also referred to as climate change is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth 's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants in the air today. There are two causes of global warming, human influences and also natural causes. Global warming is increasing day by day because of all the natural causes going on. A greenhouse is a glass building that contains plants in it that needed to be protected from cold weather. These greenhouses attract heat from many things like the
Global warming is the change in the average temperature of the earth is surface as a result of humans’ activity that pollutes the nature. The level of carbon dioxide has been increased in the upper part of the atmosphere which it leads to increase the average temperature on the surface which it causes many problems in many side of life including nature, health and economy. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide is due to release of poison gases to the atmosphere by cars, manufactures, oil field, burning of natural gases and smoking. Air pollution and climate change are a result of increasing the level of carbon dioxide around the world.
Global Warming, also known as the greenhouse effect, is believed to be an increase of the Earth's average surface temperature due to the effect of carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels which creates a climatic situation for the trapping of heat that would otherwise escape the atmosphere. This issue will affect everyone if it turns out to be true lending credence to its validity because it makes ignoring the problem akin to suicide. Nothing of our world is 100% absolute. Science is about taking empirical data and making the best educated guess possible and scientists do have compelling evidence that supports global warming (American Institute of Physics, n.d.). History of Global Warming Prior to the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries and the introduction of wide-scale coal use, global warming was not an issue due to the Earth’s homeostatic state.