Global Warming

Global warming has been an alarming issue for many years and poses a current and future threat to the environment. Several years ago when global warming was initially addressed, the government panicked assuming that humans are the cause. Others believe that the earth’s natural resources are the root of the problem. Scientists still are not sure who’s to blame. It may be a combination of humans and natural resources. Despite the cause, global warming has a direct impact on environmental psychology. Johannessen (2011), published an article in the New York Times addressing Global warming and climate change and what effects it has not only on the environment but also on the people and other organisms that live in such environments. Johannessen thinks that the United Nations should provide resources necessary to adapt to changes in the climate to people who live in underdeveloped or poor nations. The United Nations has funded global talks but conflict still exists (Johannessen, 2011). Well-known controversies surrounding the issue are: conflicting responsibilities of industrialized and developing nations, deciding how to generate money to help poor nations adapt, the stress of protecting tropical forests, and the need to develop and organize clean energy technology (Johannessen, 2011). According to the National Geographic (2012, para 1), global warming is the releasing of heat-trapping gases released when humans power their modern lives. The gases are at its highest in 650,000 years (National Geographic, 2012). Gas becomes trapped in the earth’s atmosphere and the result is global warming. The gases form a film-like barrier in the atmosphere that affects how the sun radiates. Ice bergs are melting causing sea levels to rise, and tropical forests and wildlife are affected along with people who live in underdeveloped nations and cities. Moreover, locally the unresolved issues are because the United States Congress debates that humans are not the cause of global warming and climate change. Congress believes that the issue should be addressed on an international level because it affects the earth and not just the United States (Johannessen, 2011). Humans are indirectly responsible for global warming because of their actions such as driving vehicles that release pollutants in the air. They are directly responsible when various chemicals and fossil fuels are released into the atmosphere from oil refineries, manufacturing companies, and power plants. However, transportation and power plants are necessary for living. Gas is required to power vehicles to transport not only people but crops, livestock and other necessities for daily living. The government can intervene by providing resources such as fuel that is friendly to the earth. Humans have already taken a step by manufacturing vehicles that use less fuel however, the manufacturing companies still release various chemicals in the atmosphere during the production process. Also underprivileged nations such as Ethiopia are most affected by global warming (Morrison, 2011). Ethiopia is one of Africa’s poorest nations and globally. The average person receives his or her nutrients from live stock such as cows and crops to survive (U.S. Department of State, 2011). When gases become trapped in the atmosphere it affects the earth’s temperature differently in each region. “Winds and ocean currents move heat around the globe in ways that can cool some areas, warm others, and change the amount of rain and snow falling” (National Geographic, 2012, para 7). Therefore, as the climate becomes more unpredictable, it will be difficult for Ethiopians and others to survive because excessive heat or an extreme drop in temperature can kill the live stock and impede the growth of crop. It also poses a threat to other underdeveloped nations and poor cities because most people are accustomed to dressing according to their climate and finances. Therefore, appropriate funding and clothing will be required along with suitable resources that will provide people with adequate housing equipped with cooling systems. Environmental psychology is concerned with how an individual and other organisms such as animals and plants responds to the surrounding environment and changes that may occur. Global warming is an alarming environmental issue that may cause humans to react irrational because of their lack of knowledge. Plants may die or growth may slow down whereas animals may go into protection mode because food becomes scarce. Psychologists and researchers can assist by educating the public on global warming. People also need to know what steps to take to minimize the effects of global warming such as using lights bulbs that decrease pollutants in the air or using energy efficient appliances. For people to take these steps the government has to make the products affordable. Also global warming has a direct impact on environmental psychology because individual behaviors change according to how he or she feels about the changes in the climate. Researchers question and compare those behaviors to get a clear understanding of why individuals may feel and react differently. “Psychologists have been studying human behavior and attitudes to determine how people feel about global warming, what psychological changes might result from a hotter planet and what would best motivate people to conserve” (APA, 2008, para 1). Psychologists assess the behaviors and attempt to provide a resolution on how individuals can adapt to the new climate. Furthermore, environmental psychology examines and explains the relationships between social and somatic environments and between individual behavior and experience (Clayton & Myers, 2009). Global warming can be detrimental on such relationships because studies reveal that people are more irritable, agitated, and violent when temperatures are hotter (APA, 2008). An individual’s mood may change from depressive in the winter to happier in the spring and summer, however, when temperatures in the summer are excessive and the humidity is high and unbearable, he or she immediately becomes what people call “moody”. One’s mental state becomes affected when the body cannot handle excessive temperatures. Moreover, people typically do not like to be touched when temperatures are excessive because the sensation of skin touching skin makes him or her hotter. When temperatures are uncontrollable it also affects the respiratory system, making breathing difficult. Therefore, global warming will have a huge impact on environmental psychology not only because the method of studying people will shift but also availability and accessibility of resources will change. In short, global warming is an alarming issue and poses a threat not only for the earth and its resources but also for the people. The issue may be taken more seriously by those other than researchers if awareness is made to the public. The average person is not aware of how serious global warming is and the possible results. Internationally all governments need to come together, quit the finger pointing, and develop various plans to help those in underprivileged areas along with making changes that will force the average citizen make “green” choices that will potentially save the earth such as fuel and power that does not release harmful toxins into the atmosphere. Making “green” choices will put the earth one step closer to decreasing the effects of global warming.

References
American Psychological Association. (2008). Climate change, global warming, among environmental concerns discussed at psychology meeting. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2008/08/global-warming.aspx
Clayton, S. & Myers, G. (2009). Conservation psychology: Understanding and promoting human care for nature. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
Global warming. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/235402/global-warming
Johannessen, S. (2011, December 21). Global warming & climate change. New York Times. Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html
Morrison, S. (2011). Ethiopia. Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/ethiopia/index.html
National Geographic. (2012). What is global warming? The planet is heating up—and fast. Retrieved from global warming has a direct impact on environmental psychology.
U.S. Department of State. (2011). Background note: Ethiopia. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2859.htm