Introduction
Climate change refers to variations in regional, global and earth’s climates within a period of time. This includes changes in the entire atmosphere. Most of the changes are usually caused by external factors like sunlight intensity variations. These changes can also be caused by internal factors. According to environmental policy, climate change can be referred to as modern climate changes. They include changes in temperatures in the average surface. This is always termed as global warming. Climate change includes earth’s atmosphere variations .This includes changes in ice caps and the ocean.
Climate change causes problems like global warming and greenhouse effect. All these changes have different impacts to human activity. Changes can also occur in the amount of precipitation, the number of days that there is sunlight and also in temperatures. This paper is dealing with the current state of the environment, policy steps that have been taken and approaches to solve or limit climate change problem. [1]
There have been cases where temperatures have really increased above the normal rates. These high temperatures are detrimental to the human health and are related to some illnesses such as cancer. In fact countries such as Alaska have experienced melting of permafrost in its initial stage signaling more serious environmental effects in the future. Sea levels have also been reported to be rising due to global warming. This has been experienced in Lohachara Island and Sundarbans in the bay of Benga. The PH in water bodies are fluctuating which makes it hard to sustain aquatic animals.
Current Policies aimed at reducing climate change
Every continent, association, country or institutions have some form of legislation and policies to meet the requirements for climate change. These policies however, depend on factors such as; economic status of the country involved, political willingness if its leaders, environmental concerns and priority and the financial ability to implement those policies.
The United Nations, the European Union, The U.S and other institutions all claim to be trying their very best to reduce climate change but they have failed to adequately address greenhouse gas surge. Greenhouse gases are dangerous not only to humans but also to places as well. Two degrees of warming above what industries could maintain their level at is equally dangerous. The main examples of the effect of greenhouse gas in the recent past are the collapse of Amazon forest and melting of Greenland ice sheet. [2]
A greenhouse gas reduction policy is something that is important presently and in the future to guide people on the right way forward for eliminating the greenhouse gases the current generation would like to take part in the development of policies to curb the emission of greenhouse gases. The most amazing thing is that emission of greenhouse gases is on the increase despite the fact that polices have in the past been put in place to curb its emission. This has been attributed to the industrial and technological developments in most countries which just prosper without proper planning.
During the first industrial revolution, less human activity was being undertaken but at the moment, due to increased population, fossil burning and deforestation, there has been on the rise on industrial action thus affecting the mixture of gases in the atmosphere. It is believed that, the major factor in global warming is the emission of greenhouse gases which include; water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone gases. These greenhouse gases are in different concentrations in the atmosphere and can contribute to weather changes if there are other external factors. [3]
Greenhouse policies are aimed at meeting the following goals; measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering and capturing carbon dioxide, reducing emissions of other greenhouse gases, curbing emissions from energy supplies and reducing greenhouse gases from vehicles and infrastructure use. All these goals are intended to outline approaches which can be used for articulating underlying requirements for meeting global challenges for climate change and greenhouse effect changes.
There have been efforts in the past to seek legislation and policies to counter not only greenhouse effect but in the wider sense climate change. Although these actions and efforts had been well developed in the past, they leave a critical policy gap that has since been the subject for debate for the last two decades. It is believed that none of the proposed measures will take effect immediately but needs to have a longer time frame for all parties to agree on.
Most companies and countries are continuing to have their industries emit more greenhouse gases than never before. This has led specifically to the implementation of policies in some of the countries. The worst part of it is that it is the developed and industrialized countries who contribute a majority of the greenhouse gases making it more difficult to implement the policies effectively. The best example would be to failure by some countries including the U .S to implement recommendations stipulated by the Kyoto Protocol. Latest reports indicate that greenhouse gases are on the increase and actions should be speeded up to curb the increase.
In solving the problem of climate change, there are very many approaches that can be used. They include the following
Planting more trees
This is one of the solutions to current problems of climate change. Research shows that deforestation leads to various problems in relation to climate change. This includes reduction in rates of precipitation. Trees help in maintaining right rates and when they are cut in large numbers they lead to big changes in climate. According to Nobel Prize winner 2005 Professor Wangare Maathai, this simple act of planting trees will help in solving diverse problems that are associated with climate change. This is where the policy of cut one plant two works. [4] People should be educated all over the world in the importance of planting at least two trees after cutting one tree. Governments need to educate people on this simple principle of planting trees. This will greatly help in solving the problem of climate change if well implemented. Government and non governmental organizations need to limit deforestation in countries. There have been cases in various nations where people have invaded forests and cut all trees illegally for commercial purposes. This should be greatly limited. The government should target planting of trees especially in places where deforestation has occurred.
Limit fossil burning
Fossil burning releases harmful gases into the environment which normally affects climate change. The government needs to put in place measure that will ensure that fossil burning is highly limited. This includes enacting of rules and regulation that will counter the problem of fossil burning. Tough measures need to be put in place concerning people who are caught burning fossils. When harmful gases are released into the environment they reduce the degrees of precipitation. The reason why such ventures should be limited is because climate change greatly affects man and his endeavors. There have been cases whereby fossil burning has led to increase in temperatures to levels that are not healthy to man. Other people in such places report increased cases of skin cancer.
Long chimneys
Most of the chimneys that are used in industries are very short and they release harmful gases to the immediate environment. When these gases reach the environment they destroy the ozone layer and hence lead to climate change problems. Long chimneys help in reducing the concentration of harmful gases as they are released into the environment. Their effect to the environment and climate at large is lesser than when short industrial chimneys are used. [5]
Purify emissions
Another approach that can be used to limit the problem of climate change is by purifying emissions before they are released into the air. Industries should put in place mechanisms that will purify harmful emissions especially those that are rich in carbon monoxide. This will help to greatly reduce the problem of climate change in the world today.
Use of hydrogen vehicles
To help in limiting the problem of climate change hydrogen cars should be used instead of hybrid cars. This is because hydrogen vehicles use hydrogen gas and therefore they do not emit harmful emissions into the air. Hybrid cars on the other hand use petrol and diesel. Hybrid cars produce very harmful emissions into the air and this always leads to climate change problems like global warming. People should be advised to buy cars that have fuel economy. According to research one gas gallon gives out heat trapping gases of twenty five pounds. Global warming and other climate change problems are reduced by better mileage of gas. Government should encourage people to purchase vehicles that have hybrid engines. [6]
Choosing clean power
A study carried out in United States shows that most of the electricity that is used results from coal fired power that is polluting. In fact research shows that power plants produce gas that traps heat. People should be educated on the importance of choosing companies that give renewable energy of approximately fifty to a hundred percent. When gas is released that traps heat it leads to climate change problems. Choosing clean power in this case will help in limiting climate change in the entire world.
Energy star appliances
Many people should be encouraged to use or to buy energy star appliances when replacing old ones. This includes replacements for water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators and freezers. This is because they really save the energy that is used in when these facilities are in use. Research shows that when every household implements this by putting in place the most efficient models then almost $ fifteen billion would be saved. This amount includes energy costs. This will in turn help in the elimination of heat trapping gases that are 175 million tons. These gases are the one responsible for climate change problems in the modern world today. [7]
Light bulbs
If energy saving model bulbs would replace the other bulbs in every household then this would greatly help in reducing global warming. Global warming pollution is one of the problems resulting from climate change. Research shows that using these energy saving models in bulbs will help in saving of ninety billion pounds of the bulbs life. This is said to be approximately same to taking six point three million cars off roads. Government should educate people to use compact fluorescents that are more efficient than using incandescent bulbs. This according to studies carried out in United States, the use of energy saving modern bulbs will help to reduce heat trapping pollution by approximately seventy percent. This also helps to reduce costs incurred in purchasing of bulbs. If this is effectively implemented, it will lead to reduction of climate change.
Carpool
Car pools are very effective in solving the problem of climate change. For people who own more than one vehicle, they should learn to use those that use less fuel. Research shows that a full car is more environment friendly than having two cars with few people being driven at the same time. Car pooling is whereby people with vehicles come together and uses one vehicle instead. For instance, if two people have vehicles and they are traveling to the same destination, they can organize and use one car instead. This helps in limiting climate change.
Conclusion
Climate change has become very prevalent since the twentieth century due to various human activities. This problem can be solved by planting more trees, limiting fossil burning and purifying emissions. Carpooling and use of hydrogen cars instead of hybrid cars helps in limiting climate change.
References
Bearn, V. (2003): Solutions to Climate Change; A Wider Scope Approach; Oxford University Press; U. K
Congressional Budget Office (1990): Carbon Charges as a Response to Global Warming: – The Effects of Taxing Fossil Fuels (August 1990), pp. 35-37
Global Warming International Centre (2005): Greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act: – U.S. policy on global warming today, Retrieved From, http://www.globalwarming.net/, on 2007-08-01
Hannil, J. (2000): An Approach to Problem of Climate Change; New York; Macmillan Press
Metz, B. (2001): IPCC, Climate Change; Mitigation; IPCC Secretariat, Geneva; Switzerland
U.S Environment Protection Agency (2007): Climate Change, Retrieved From, http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/, on 2007-08-01
[1] Bearn, V. (2003): Solutions to Climate Change; A Wider Scope Approach; Oxford University Press; U. K
[2]
Congressional Budget Office (1990): Carbon Charges as a Response to Global Warming: – The Effects of Taxing Fossil Fuels (August 1990), pp. 35-37
[3] Global Warming International Centre (2005): Greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act: – U.S. policy on global warming today, Retrieved From, http://www.globalwarming.net/, on 2007-08-01
[4] Metz, B. (2001): IPCC, Climate Change; Mitigation; IPCC Secretariat, Geneva; Switzerland
[5] Metz, B. (2001): IPCC, Climate Change; Mitigation; IPCC Secretariat, Geneva; Switzerland
[6] U.S Environment Protection Agency (2007): Climate Change, Retrieved From, http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/, on 2007-08-01
[7] Bearn, V. (2003): Solutions to Climate Change; A Wider Scope Approach; Oxford University Press; U. K
