Global Warming Paper Essay

spheric temperatures on the Earths surface lay down increase by 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit during the last century, faster than any time in the last 1000 eld (Rauber 41). Consequently, the 1990s was the warmest decade in the last 1000 days (world(a) calefacient). As humanness emit fossil fuels, greenho pulmonary tuberculosis gasses slowly warm the Earths melodic phrase (EPA world-wide). This dawdling process is known as global warming. As glaciers begin to melt, ocean levels dress up and coastal areas in Florida whitethorn suffer immense losses ( brim Erosion). Floridas tourist economy may also suffer a tremendous loss, as well as gardening (Florida Scientists). With a tepid atmosphere, disease leave behind spread quicker and human health will be threatened passim the ground (Global Warming). Serious action needs to be taken in society to slow the process of global warming.Global Warming is an increase in the temperature of the Earth ascribable to the use of fossil fuels and industrial processes that build up to the emission of greenhouse gasses, generally carbon dioxide and methane (Global Warming Threatens). As energy from the sun strikes the surface of the earth, it turns into heat which, in turn, releases the heat as long-wave infrared ray (Crowe). Gasses in the air, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor, trap some of this radiation as it tries to make its way back out to space (Olgesby).These gases trap in heat as do the windows of a greenhouse therefore, they are called greenhouse gases (Elston). As an excess enumerate of these gasses are emitted into the Earths atmosphere by industries and fossil fuels, the temperature of the Earths atmosphere gradually increases (Oglesby). Humans escalate the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere by animated fossil fuels and by umteen manufacturing processes (Crowe). In the U.S., from 1990-1997, carbon dioxide emissions have increased 10.7 percent (Elston). This activity and a warming atmosphere are causing drastic changes around the earth, especially in Florida.Global warming poses a threat to Floridas beaches and freshwater supplies cod to a rise in sea level (Southeast). Warming the atmosphere will lay out sea levels by fatten outing ocean water, melting mountain glaciers, and melting parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet (Beach Erosion). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the local sea levels may rise 8 to 30 inches by the year 2100 (Global Warming Threatens). The horizontal advance can be one hundred fifty to cc times greater than the sea level rise, and even greater in areas with a guard sloping shoreline (Alvarez et al). Consequently, saltwater will be forced to move landward, which shifts the border between saltwater and freshwater inland and causes the encroachment of saltwater into groundwater aquifers (Southeast). Over the longer-term, a three-foot sea level rise could be disastrous for aquifers in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Homestead areas, which are located on the low coastal ridge (Alvarez et al).In addition, rising sea levels put at risk the states number one military position as a retirement and tourist destination (Global Warming Threatens). Hotels, homes, and property within 200 to 250 feet of the current shoreline may be flooded (Florida Scientists). This, in turn, will alter the $51 billion yearly revenue from Floridas tourist economy (Florida Scientists). According to the states tourist development agency, 71 million people visited Florida in 2000 (Alvarez et al). Miami Beach alone generates $2 billion a year in tourism revenues, and the Florida Keys generates $1.8 billion annually (Alvarez et al). The states economy will suffer significantly as higher seas flood all property on these beaches (Global Warming Threatens). Many of Floridas cities by the sea, including Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, Clearwater, Key West, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pensac ola, and Marco Island, will face great hardships due to a rise in sea level (Alvarez et al).A warming atmosphere will also lead to changes in Floridas agriculture which is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate (Southeast). The toil of citrus, sugarcane, and tomatoes adds billions of dollars to Floridas economy (Florida Scientists). Global warmings effects on agriculture will vary by location and on the specific crop (Alvarez et al). Warming temperatures and carbon dioxide fertilization will increase citrus production by about 6 to 20 percent in Florida over the next 40 to 50 years (Alvarez et al). Although citrus will benefit in the short-term, its productivity in the long-run will suffer (Alvarez et al). citrus fruit yields will begin to decrease once temperatures have gone past the nominal growing hustle and soil moisture has been reduced from the heat (Alvarez et al). Sugarcane is a $437 million industry in Florida and is mostly located in Palm Beach County (South east). Global warming may severely doctor the production and sales of sugarcane (Southeast).If sea levels rise 18 to 20 inches, flooding will intensify and decrease sugarcane yields due to nutrient pollution problems (Alvarez et al). This will decrease sugarcane festering by about 20 percent (Southeast). Florida is also the nations leader in tomato production (Alvarez et al). However, a warming atmosphere could decrease the states tomato production by about 44 percent as a result of shortened growth cycles (Alvarez et al). Global warming will definitely lead to changes in how and where Florida farmers grow crops (Southeast). With some crops these changes may be beneficial and with others it may be detrimental.Global warming poses several potential health threats to the population of Florida. The outgrowth potential health threat is that of bad air quality (Elston). Higher temperatures increase the rate of smogginess formation, and increased use of fossil fuels could increase a ra nge of air pollutants (Global Warming). A major component of smog, ground-level ozone, is formed from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (Epstein 51). As the atmosphere warms, this reaction speeds up and produces much smog (Epstein 51). Chronic respiratory diseases and obstructive pulmonary disease can be make much worse by breathing ozone (Elston). Carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide, and nitrogen oxides worsen existing cardiovascular diseases and may produce lung irritation and reduced lung function (Alvarez et al). Seniors, constituting 18 percent of Floridas population, the young, and those with existing cardiovascular diseases are predominantly at risk (Florida Scientists).Many of the germs that cause waterborne diseases, such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, outlive longer in warmer water (Epstein 55). Serious diseases like hepatitis, cholera, and yellow fever will more easily be transmitted as the miss of clean water and waterborne diseases spread (Elston). The la ck of clean water in a drought causes bad hygiene and unsafe rehydration for people who have lost a lot of water from diarrhea or fever (Alvarez et al). Droughts, caused by global warming, elevate waterborne diseases, wipe out supplies of safe drinking water, and, thus, concentrate containments (Epstein 55). In addition, vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, encephalitis, and dengue fever fever, will be more common as a result of a warming atmosphere (Southeast). Vector-borne diseases are spread by mosquitoes, rodents, ticks, and other insects and animals (Global Warming).Rising temperatures will expand the range of many vectors and can play a role in the transmission of the disease itself (Alvarez et al). This is due to the fact that a warmer atmosphere will provide more area in which the mosquito and many other vectors can survive (Epstein 50). Today, 45 percent of the worlds population live where they capacity get bitten by a mosquito carrying malaria (EPA Global). However, that percentage may increase to 60 percent if temperatures rise (EPA Global). The total number of deaths related to heat waves is estimated to double by 2020 (Epstein 50). Floridas population, especially the old population, is a great risk due to the health risks of global warming (Elston).Florida is faced with serious challenges as a result of global warming. These challenges threaten the states natural areas, economic prosperity, agriculture, and human health. The state can avoid such harm by taking action before it is too late. near solutions include driving efficiently, taking public transit, walking, or using a bicycle (Rauber 41), limiting the burning of fossil fuels for energy (Epstein 57), using compact fluorescent light bulbs, because each can prevent cd pounds of coal from being burned to make electricity, buying a car which meets ones needs, withal is very efficient (Rauber 41), and, finally, plant a tree or protect a forest (Global Warming). Trees absorb carbon dioxid e and can offset some greenhouse gasses (Olgesby). Serious action needs to be taken now to avoid such devastating harm.