Premium Essay

Effects Of Carbon Dioxide

Submitted By
Words 1499
Pages 6
THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE
Research report
Student name
Institution
Introduction
Scientific research in relation to global warming and its effects has projected that the year 2020 may be the hottest than any other in the last 1000 years. According to Rozema, Lambers, Geijn & Cambridge, (2012), the incredible increase will be as a result of the increase in the levels of the large amounts of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere. The use and burning of carbon related fossil fuels to produce energy by industries across the world has been documented as the main source of the large amounts of carbon dioxide. Schafer (2002) describes that carbon dioxide us product released by all the living systems and in most cases, …show more content…
However, there has been a challenge meeting the expectations as the population in the world continues to increase hence pressing more demand on energy resources. The figure below shows a comparison of the carbon dioxide percentage produced according to various geographical regions between the year 1974 and an anticipated carbon dioxide in …show more content…
Therefore, action is required to mitigate the use of fossil fuels and advocate for the use of clean energy and deforestation (NASA). The greenhouse effect threat caused by high levels of carbon dioxide is presently a serious problem that needs global attention. Even though there has been considerable effort to address the issue of increasing carbon emission into the atmosphere, the world’s political structure impedes the cooperation required to address the issue. However, with cooperation and determination, the world’s most industrialized countries can come together and stimulate below solutions for reducing the effects caused by the increasing amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The first solution is having determined effort with the purpose of conserving fuel and reduce the consumption of fuel by 20 percentage across the world by 2020. The public should be sensitized on the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment. There is need to impose a tax increase on fossil fuel in order to have added incentives for conservation. Therefore, revenue acquired from the added taxes can be used to develop alternate energy sources

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Co2 Literature Review

...procedures aim to accelerate the utilization of CO2. There are mainly three pathways for using CO2 and namely they are conversion of CO2 to fuel, utilization of CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals and non-conversion use of CO2. [1] The technologies to moderate CO2 emissions are essential for the chemical industry to become “greener”. An alternative to carbon capture is the use of CO2 as a feedstock in the production of valuable products such as methanol. [5]by using Electro reduction of carbon dioxide (ERC) which combines captured CO2 with water to produce high value materials. Keywords: Carbon dioxide; Methanol; Electroreduction of carbon dioxide (ERC) ________________________________________ 1 Introduction-1 Carbon dioxide plays a key role in producing the greenhouse effect. It is...

Words: 1854 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Green House Effect

...9/25/12 THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT What is the Greenhouse Effect? Life on earth is possible because the sun provides energy and warmth. The sun's rays pass through the atmosphere and are absorbed by the earth's surface, which heats up and radiates energy back into space. Some of the gases in the atmosphere capture and hold radiated energy, keeping the surface of the earth warm, much as the glass of a greenhouse keeps the plants inside warm. Without these greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), all radiated heat would be lost into space and the surface of the earth would be cold and barren. This natural phenomenon acts like a blanket around the earth, is essential for life, and is often referred to as the greenhouse effect. Man-made emissions are leading to increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The increases in greenhouse gases are trapping more of the energy radiated from earth and are likely to lead to global warming and weather extremes. The possible impact of human activity on the greenhouse effect was first recognized in the early 1800s. By the turn of this century, calculations were being made relating increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide to temperature change. In the early 1900s it was estimated that doubling or tripling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would lead to a temperature increase of up to nine degrees Celsius. Since then, carbon dioxide levels have increased by 26 per cent, and global temperatures...

Words: 1178 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming, Causes and Effects

...The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming: Definition, Causes, and potential effects to humans, Plants, animal communities and natural resources. Discuss with illustrations.  INTRODUCTION  There's a delicate balancing act occurring every day all across the Earth, involving radiation the planet receives from space and the radiation that's reflected back out to space. Enormous amounts of radiation, primarily from the sun strikes the Earth's atmosphere in the form of visible light, ultraviolet, infrared and other types of radiation that are invisible to the human eye. About 30 percent of the radiation striking Earth's atmosphere is immediately reflected back out to space by clouds, ice, snow, sand and other reflective surfaces, according to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The remaining 70 percent of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. As they heat up, the oceans, land and atmosphere release heat in the form of infrared thermal radiation, which passes out of the atmosphere and into space. It is this equilibrium of incoming and outgoing radiation that makes the Earth habitable. Without this balance, the greenhouse effect sets in. Definition Greenhouse Effect: The warming of the atmosphere due to the increased amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methane. These gases form a blanket over the Earth, trapping the energy or heat from the sun and preventing it from leaving the atmosphere...

Words: 2333 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Global Warming Fact or Fiction

...is A. The Two Opposing View Points 1. Global Warming occurrence by mankind 2. Global Warming a natural occurrence 3. Global Warming is it fact or fiction Global Warming and what it is Is Global warming fact or fiction? For this answer there must be an understanding of what global warming is. Let’s consider the definition “an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface and in the troposphere which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns “is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Definition. Greenhouse effect is heat absorption by certain natural gases, trapping the heat in the lower atmosphere. The gases in the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor and nitrous oxide including others that are synthetic. Synthetic gases are manmade that include chlorofluorocarbons, hydro fluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride (NOAA). Natural greenhouse gases effect Earth’s temperature (57 degrees F – 14 degrees C), without it Earth’s temperature would be zero degrees – 18 degrees C. Any imbalance in the energy can gain or lose heat, thus changing global temperatures. Two Opposing Viewpoints Global warming is a serious issue that has been increased by mankind. Extra gases have been added to the atmosphere by the increase in...

Words: 1385 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Deforestation of the Amazonian Rainforest

...Deforestation of the Amazonian Rainforest Tiffani Swank GE150 Survey of the Sciences Erica Price/Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. Earth’s natural resources are what we are extracting from the earth. Industries, which excavate the earth’s resources, include forestry, oil extraction, and mining. Present-day society is based upon a vast consumption of non-replaceable minerals and fuels such as coal, oil and natural gasses. Other materials such as cotton, wool timber and produce, if utilized wisely can be replenished. Is the carbon dioxide level higher, due to massive amounts of forest being cut down and the levels of carbon dioxide left in the atmosphere higher? Therefore, my hypothesis is that deforestation of the Amazon rainforest leads, not only, to a reduction of the amount of carbon dioxide taken out of the atmosphere, but also to an increased release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The earth’s natural resources are there for all of us to use. We need the water, food, air, energy, medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals that the earth’s natural resources give us. Therefore, keeping us fed, comfortable, healthy and alive. If we use the resources carefully then they will last indefinitely. But if we use them wastefully and excessively, they will soon run out and all will suffer. The excessive waste is happening in our rainforest every minute of every day of...

Words: 2808 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Superfreakonomics Analysis

...“George W Bush once said, “How is Global Warming real?” If we wanted to, we could dramatically lower temperature by switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius. On the scientific note, however, the point is not as simple as just changing the unit of measurement. The values of Americans are polluted by the agendas of politics and entertainment. Subconsciously, the values we hold regarding topics such as Global Warming are intertwined with mass media. For example, we look at Carbon Dioxide and only Carbon dioxide as the villain in global warming. Now, instead of being the subjects of our subconscious, let us delve into our conscious mind and obtain the hard facts that are science. Steven Levitt, in Superfreakonomics details an extremely controversial...

Words: 1062 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Global Warming

...amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Besides, global warming by natural and man-made causes. These causes above have the serious consequences. The effects of the global warming are of concern both for the environment and human life. It is impossible to know precisely what will happen to the Earth’s climate in the future. Over the last 100 years, the average temperature of the air near the Earth’s surface has risen a little less than 1 degree Celsius. Does not seem all that much? It is responsible for the conspicuous increase in storms, floods and raging forest fires we have seen in the last ten years. Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, fluorocarbons and water vapor accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main constituent of greenhouse gas. It is part of the natural “Carbon Cycle” of life on earth. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere by plants and animals through natural processes such as breathing and decay. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by the burning of solid waste, wood products, and fossil fuels. Specially, carbon dioxide from power plant, in 2002...

Words: 2848 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Understanding the Effects of Global Warming

...UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS AND PROVIDING A USEFUL SOLUTION REGARDING GLOBAL WARMING IN CONNECTION TO GAS LAWS A Term Paper Regarding Issues and Concerns about Gas Laws Louie Alison Bernal III- Boyle I. Introduction Background of the Study Global warming refers to an unequivocal and continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's climate system Nowadays, as technology rises, the issues regarding global warming also rises. The machineries, factories, automobiles, and even gadgets play important role in the production of gases that contributes to global warming. In these days, the earth continues to face lots of problems regarding gases. One of this is global warming. Producing solution to the said issue became a must. But unfortunately, scientists cannot find a solution to it. . Statement of the Problem This project is designed to produce a solution to minimize the effects of Global Warming. It specifically sought to answer the following questions: 1. Can the researcher produce a good solution to minimize the effects of global warming? 2. Is the solution effective? Significance of the Study Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner...

Words: 2854 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Global Warming

...climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases which cause the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases (Parmesun). Greenhouse Gases and the Effect Primary greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone (Taylor). Carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gases, is a very important factor in the vital cycles which sustain life on this planet: plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and release oxygen necessary to maintain the lives of animal species, who through breathing out return carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, completing the cycle (Taylor). Greenhouse effect is a natural process which made life on Earth possible really. Natural sources of atmospheric carbon dioxide include volcanic outgassing, the combustion of organic matter, and the respiration processes of living aerobic organisms; man-made sources of carbon dioxide include the burning of fossil fuels for heating...

Words: 1663 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Cell Energy Worsksheet

...Triphosphate (ATP). The three stages : 1) Glycolysis 2) Citric acid cycle 3) Electron Transport Chain (ETC) • What is the role of glycolysis? Include the reactants and the products. Where does it occur? Is the first step used to breakdown the glucose. The reactants are two molecules from glucose pyruvate, 2 ATP molecules, 2 molecules of NADH, and 2H.. The product is a glucose molecule with 2 phosphate groups that make glucose less stable. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm. • What is the role of the citric acid cycle? Include the reactants and the products. Where does it occur? The citric acid cycle is to gather high energy electrons from carbon fuels. The citric acid produces: 6 NADH, 2 FADH2, 2 ATP , and 4CO2 This action takes place in the mitochondria • What is the role of the electron transport system? Include the reactants and the products. Where does it occur? The role of the electron transport is basically to take carry electron from glucose to oxygen, and then forming water (H20) with the addition of hydrogen. It does this by taking electron from NADH and using a chain of molecules with the downward gravity pull of oxygen. As the electrons travel down the chain some of their energy gets reused for ATP. The reactants in the Electron transport system are: H ions, O2, NADH, and FADH2 The products are:...

Words: 937 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Environmental Science"

...The Greenhouse Effect Ashley 24/1/2013 The Greenhouse effect is a process that is naturally occurring on our planet. The reason it is a concern is many scientists believe the process is being changed because of our use of energy in the last 100 years or so. Most greenhouses look like a small glass house. Greenhouses are used to grow plants, especially in the winter. Greenhouses work by trapping heat from the sun. The glass panels of the greenhouse let in light but keep heat from escaping. This causes the greenhouse to heat up, much like the inside of a car parked in sunlight, and keeps the plants warm enough to live in the winter. The earth's atmosphere is all around us. It is the air that we breathe. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere behave much like the glass panes in a greenhouse. Sunlight enters the earth's atmosphere, passing through the blanket of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect works in the following manner (i) Energy from the sun passes though the earth's atmosphere in the form of visible light (sun light). (ii) Some of the sun's energy turns to heat and warms the earth's air and land. (iii) The rest of the sun's energy becomes infrared radiation and is re-emitted into the atmosphere. (iv) Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this infrared radiation and bounce it back to the earth again, warming the planet even more. Greenhouse Gases Carbon dioxide It is considered the most predominant anthropogenic greenhouse gas, as 60% of the anthropogenic...

Words: 2044 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Solar

...as well as the planet being pumped full of more Carbon Dioxide (CO²) than the planet can handle. Imagine nothing changing when it comes to energy production and take a look at our planet in 100 years. Do you see a planet that is inhabited, or do you in fact see a planet that is something akin to the movie Wall-e? It is a scary thought, but alternative energy resources are out there, and these alternative energy resources will enable mankind to inhabit Earth for many more years and even centuries to come. Since the year 1900 tests on world temperature have been documented and studied showing that the planet temperature is raising by approximately 1.1 degrees per century (Phillips, 2008). The reason for this rise in temperature is clearly due in part to the rising of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The process of producing electricity is a major contributing factor to carbon dioxide as fossil fuels are burned to produce the electricity. Currently, fossil fuels used for electricity emit approximately 6,000,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year. With this said, not only is electricity being limited by the limited sources of fossil fuels, but our planet is also at a real risk of dying do to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The depletion of rain forests and regular forests around the world is not helping out the carbon dioxide issue either. Forests, plants, and vegetation transform carbon dioxide into oxygen;...

Words: 1958 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Climate Change Informative Essay

...We add 77 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere everyday. That’s an insane amount of carbon dioxide that we are emitting into the atmosphere everyday, and that should be fixed. There are theories that humans are causing climate change. With these theories there is evidence, and there is of course the opposing argument that climate change is happening naturally. Then there is also an argument that says it’s not even happening. But right now i’m going to give you some reasons and evidence that humans are in fact causing or contributing to climate...

Words: 1917 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Carbon Footprint

...Carbon footprint Name Institutional Affiliation According to the carbon calculator, my greenhouse gas emission was estimated to be 27 tons per year (Lynas, & HarperCollins, 2007).  Out of this emission, the amount of carbon dioxide produced per year was 83.3%. This percentage of carbon dioxide is mostly contributed by home energy. The high amounts of greenhouse gases produced is due to the usage of hydrocarbons in heating and lighting where an estimate of 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide are produced. In addition, my vehicle emits an extra estimate of 1.4 tons of carbon dioxide for 30 miles in a week. My consumption of meat has an impact of 4.1 tons of carbon dioxide per year. All these personal activities made me realize the personal impact an individual can have to the environment (Bishop, 2008).  From the learning outcome, I really feel I have a role to play in the environment. This is because I was not aware of the harm I was causing to the environment in contributing to greenhouse effects. I now appreciate the importance of keeping low personal carbon footprint (Bishop, 2008).  After calculating my carbon footprint, I realized I had an impact on the environment. This impact is much more than I am supposed to and hence the need to try my level best to lower the amount of carbon dioxide I contribute to the environment (Lynas, & HarperCollins, 2007).  Part of my life contributing the most carbon is lighting and heating where I mostly use hydrocarbons for such purposes...

Words: 392 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Causes of Air Pollution

...Carbon dioxide is one the main pollutants present in the air. This is because, although living beings do exhale carbon dioxide, this gas is harmful when emitted from other sources, which are caused due to human activities. An additional release of carbon dioxide happens due to various such activities. Carbon dioxide gas is used in various industries, such as the oil industries and the chemical industries. The manufacturing process of most products would require the use of this gas. There are various human activities that add to the increased proportions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The combustion of fossil fuels and the harmful effects of deforestation have all contributed towards the same gas. This show that among the various gases emitted during a volcanic eruption, carbon dioxide remains to be at least 40% of the emission. Scientists have now therefore identified carbon dioxide as one of those elements that have contributed to global warming. Causes of air pollution are not limited to this. The combustion of fuels in automobiles, jet planes, etc., all cause the release of several primary pollutants into the air. The burning of fossil fuels in big cities which is seen at most factories, offices and even a large number of homes, it is no wonder that air pollution is increasing at an alarming rate. The release of other harmful gases all adds to the state that we see today. Although carbon dioxide plays an important role in various other processes like photosynthesis...

Words: 577 - Pages: 3