Mankind is Causing Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mankind is Causing Global Warming - Essay Example . In fact, 25% to 30% of the greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere every year is 1.6 billion tonnes which is due to deforestation. According to Daniel Howden, (2007) "In the next 24 hours, deforestation will release as much CO2 into the atmosphere as 8 million people flying from London to New York. Stopping the loggers is the fastest and cheapest solution to climate change. So why are global leaders turning a blind eye to this crisis" The rapid destruction of the rainforests which forms a valuable cooling band in the region of the Earth's equator is one of the main causes of climate change. Carbon expelling due to deforestation far surpass damage induced by planes and automobiles and factories. Water vapour is the most widespread and most potent greenhouse gas on the planet. It increases as a result of warming induced by carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. "Because the air is warmer, the relative humidity can be higher (in essence, the air is able to 'hold' more water when its warmer), leading to more water vapor in the atmosphere" (http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/gases.html, accessed on 29th April, 2009). Water vapour holds on around 2/3rd of the heat pinned by all the greenhouse gases (L.R.Kump, 2002) due to which global climate change has occurred. Meth Methane, a natural gas is the 2nd most vital of the greenhouse gases ensuing from human actions. It is formed by rice cultivation, cattle and sheep farming, and by decomposing material in lowlands. Methane is also let out during coal removal and oil drilling, and by permeable gas pipelines. Human actions have enhanced the density of methane in the atmosphere to around 145% above to the quantity that is present naturally. (http://www.gcrio.org/ipcc/qa/04.html,1997, retrieved on 29th April 2009) Carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles is also a reason for global warming. According to the US Emissions Inventory 2006 page 8 vehicles which have poor gas mileage add the most to global warming. For instance, according to the E.P.A's 2000 Fuel Economy Guide, a new Dodge Durango sports utility vehicle which gives 12 miles per gallon in the city will emit an approximate 800 pounds of carbon dioxide above a distance of 500 city miles. But if a large vehicle is used like the SUV's then due to their narrow wheel base they are 4 times as liable as cars to overturn in an accident (Keith Bradsher, Article appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle, December 12, 1997 originating in the New York Times). Another principal man-made ground of Global Warming is population. More people lead to more food, and more modes of transportation. This only means more 3 Methane as there will be increased amount of burning of fossil fuels, and more agriculture. The main source of methane is manure. Because more food is demanded more food has to be raised. Animals like cows are a resource of food which leads to increase in manure and methane. Yet another issue with increasing population is transportation. Increased number of people means more cars, and more cars means more pollution. (http://library. thinkquest.org/J003411/causes.htm, retrieved on 29th April 2009). The permafrost sheet has begun to melt due to human activities. Alaskan permafrost has apparently warmed up by a mean of 1.5C over the past 15 years. (Osterkamp, 2000,