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Malcolm A. Jeter

Professor Creaney

English 11000

17 October 2019

Is scientific evidence strong enough to prove that Global Warming is caused mainly by humans?

Global warming has become an apparent and rampant problem in modern-day times. With temperatures increasing at a record rate worldwide, who would not be curious as to what is feeding into climate change. Most people are not well informed about the topic at hand, which is a massive problem in itself. Temperatures now are spiking faster than ever before, but why is that the case? Scientists and people who work in the climate field agree that humans are the main ones to blame for such events that have taken place. As noted in “Climate Change” by Bill McKibben, the statement “We are heating the planet” is the main discussion at hand. Although people are not the only cause for the rise in temperatures, experts such as meteorologists are confident in saying people are the leading contributors to global warming. More than likely, the average person reading these claims would assume that they are backed by detailed research. Since the people who claim humans contribute the most to global warming are experts in their field, they are probably right. The problem arises when people who are more skeptical about the information provided by experts question its validity. Being skeptical leaves people asking whether or not people are the leading cause of the rise in temperatures. 

To discuss this topic, a person must first understand what global warming is. Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the rise in average temperature around the world. Technically speaking, global warming is the rise in there is a rise in the average temperature around the world. Climate change, on the other hand, refers to global warming and its effects on the environment. There are many causes for global warming, as with most concepts that regard the climate. As previously mentioned, humans are one cause of global warming. According to the article, “Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know” changes in water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons are some of the causes of the increase of the average temperature. Water vapor is the biggest greenhouse gas that increases as the earth’s atmosphere warms. Carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is released while burning carbon. Methane is a hydrocarbon gas that is produced naturally and through human activity. Nitrous oxide is “A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning,” (NASA Team). Last but not least, chlorofluorocarbons are “Synthetic compounds entirely of industrial origin used in a number of applications, but now largely regulated in production and release to the atmosphere by international agreement for their ability to contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. They are also greenhouse gases” (NASA Team). The Earth Science Communications Team at NASA mentions how human activity has thrown the earth’s natural water vapor levels and gases out of balance. The information provided by NASA on the specific descriptions of gases can help inform many people precisely what roles gases play in climate change. 

As a result of the earth’s natural gases being unbalanced, the amount of heat that is absorbed by the atmosphere is increasing at a fast rate. There are many effects of climate change, and some have already occurred. For starters, global warming causes a rise in air temperatures. Hotter air temperatures lead to hotter than usual summers and even a decrease in snow during winter. More significant droughts also occur when there is a rise in temperatures. As a result of climate change, tornadoes may occur less often. That sounds great until a person finds out that said tornadoes would also become more destructive. Rainfall and hail storms would also become more destructive with increasing temperatures. As commonly mentioned by news outlets, melting ice has been an enormous problem. As ice (more specifically, icebergs) melts, it displaces the rest of the water around it. Displacement is when the ice melts and increases the water level as a result. If a person puts an ice cube in a glass of water and the ice melts, the water will rise and possibly overflow above the glass. A similar concept is shown by melting icebergs and water rising over land near it. 

Global warming can also result in the warming of oceans. As temperatures increase, thermal expansion leads to seawater expanding. In simpler terms, thermal expansion is when matter changes in volume in response to an alteration in temperature. Seawater expansion combined with melting icebergs leads to rises in sea level. Rising sea levels cause coastal erosion, which is when there is a displacement in land and sediment. Many natural barriers protect the coastlines of landmasses. When those natural barriers are destroyed, the land is not protected as efficiently. That puts things close to the coastline at risk of damage from the ocean. Global warming results in warmer bottom water, as stated in the article “Climate Science” by Skeptical Science. Coral reefs are located at the bottom of the water and are greatly affected by increasing temperatures. Warming oceans cause thermal stress on the coral reef. Thermal stress on coral reefs produces coral bleaching, which destroys the environment of ocean bottoms. Coral bleaching is corals expel algae from there tissues that result in the coral being white. 

Changes in ocean precipitation are the biggest threat to coral reefs. As stated by the National Ocean Service, “increased runoff of freshwater, sediment, and land-based pollutants contribute to algal blooms and cause murky water conditions that reduce light.” That quote from the National Ocean Service gives readers pin-point on the effects ocean precipitation has on coral reefs. As mentioned earlier, melting ice can result from global warming. In concept, if ice keeps melting, sure, water displacement will occur, but on top of that, the arctic can become iceless. That would not be ideal for animals that reside there and structures that were built in said areas. That would destroy the habitat of the people and animals that reside in Antarctica and other areas where ice is at. In contrast to what global warming does to ice, wildfires are also affected by climate change. With rising temperatures, moist forests have become the primary targets for wildfires. Hotter temperatures help wildfires spark more often and grow more powerful. It is harder to put out such fires because the climate gives it more fuel than usual. Wildfires have trouble taking off in a colder environment, but changes in precipitation and moisture levels do the opposite. 

In addition to all of those effects from global warming, animals are also affected. Animals going extinct due to rough climate is a big problem. Changes in the environment affect their eating habits, amongst many other things. With so many different effects that climate change has on the environment, many people would ask how exactly to combat it. Being able to fight against climate change effectively would require an understanding of what causes global warming in the first place. Global warming is technically natural as biogenic emissions and carbon sequestration cause dimethyl sulfide levels to vary, which changes the hydrologic cycle. 

However, human activities have sped up climate change, as proven by thermodynamic modules. It is clear to scientists that changes in the balance of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds have contributed the most to climate change. Since the gases and compounds mentioned previously control the climate, imbalances in them would lead to changes in the average temperature worldwide. After determining that gases and other compounds control the climate, a reader might figure that to be the reason as to why global warming is the problem and not humans. The thing is that a person must consider that humans are the ones who are artificially altering the mitigation potential. As for animals playing a role in climate change, sure they do, but animals do not have the capability to do the same things as humans. 

Anthropology studies have shown that humans are practically the only species that knows how to create and use fire. Animals do not use technology anywhere near as advanced as that of humans. Animals give off natural biogenic emissions, and that is where their role in climate change stops. Human activities cause an imbalance in the natural gases in the environment. The technology we use without a doubt has had the most significant impact on the environment when compared to all of the other causes of climate change. In the interview, “Climate Change & Global Warming: Interview w/ George Taylor,” the person being interviewed (George Taylor) describes how human activities have had a considerable impact on the climate. He takes a firm stance in claiming that humans are the leading factor in environmental change while also addressing that scientists debate about the issue. George Taylor helps viewers understand how, although humans are a significant factor in climate change, some environmental changes are just natural.

When a person thinks about global warming, the first thing that comes to mind is hotter weather. A relatable quote from the magazine, “This Weather Is What Global Warming Looks Like,” is “Did you know it has been really hot this summer? Perhaps you noticed it, oh, anytime you’ve stepped outside of your door in New York City these last couple of weeks”. As a New Yorker myself, I can relate to the quote because it has been hotter than usual outside. People all over New York City have been complaining about the record breaking temperatures during recent summers. Many New Yorkers would go to stores to relax in the air-conditioned buildings without buying anything. The quote from “This Weather Is What Global Warming Looks Like” reminded me of the many ladies that stand outside in the heat selling icees for a dollar.  

A small cup of slush in New York heat is enough to cool people off and feel satisfied. Similar to the quote mentioned above, the statement “Can’t wait until this heatwave ends already? If you haven’t had enough of this summer’s scorching weather, there will be more to come, scientists say”, applies to many people worldwide. Most readers can relate to having been through a summer heat wave and wanting to cooldown. You know that experience of having cooler, more relaxing weather and then boom it is hot again out of nowhere, and it is winter. I’m sure most people have at least thought to themselves, “Why the F*ck is the weather so bipolar.” Well, once again, thanks to climate change, which in fact, you may be contributing to. The same air conditioners people use to cool down are the same products that destroy the ozone layer, which let more UV Rays in the atmosphere.

Scientists, throughout history, blame humans for many things. Some of the biggest changes in history are due to the actions of humans. For example, the extinction of the passenger pigeon was thanks to humans, as stated by the article “From five billion to zero: the passenger pigeon – and other beautiful animals driven to extinction.” The article also goes on to list many other species of animals that have gone extinct thanks to humans. Structures built worldwide, destroyed natural environments, and much more are all because of what humans have done. Animals are rather innocent in terms of their impact on the world. Sure they are partially to blame too, but their impact is nowhere near the same level as that of humans.

In terms of science, it is clear what causes and contributes to climate change. In basic terms, it is an imbalance in gases and other natural elements in the earth and atmosphere. Now, what causes those imbalances in gases and elements are the actions of humans, more specifically, technological advances. Evapotranspiration is just one of many parts of the environment that is affected by the advancements of technology. Now a person might ask why haven’t people spent more time working on environmentally friendly technology. That is thanks to greed, which is the primary driver in global warming. Undoubtedly, humans are the main factors in global warming, but why is that? Greed is responsible for many issues worldwide. Humans love money and power, as proven by historical records. People get a rush of dopamine when they feel empowered, which causes them to want more.

This essay has talked a lot about the science behind how global warming is caused relative to the environment, but not so much about the science behind what leads to the actions that cause climate change. Dopamine is released in response to something that triggers pleasure in people leading to them feeling accomplished or something to that sort. People in power have high levels of dopamine when they gain even more control. Generally, the more money someone has, the more power they have as well. The people who run big corporations do not care about the environment; they care about gaining more money and control. The factories that produce the products for these corporations pollute a ton of waste. However, then again, those companies that run those factories do not care. For them, it is about how much profit they can make and not about how their production strategies impact the environment.  

As mentioned before, the companies that run the factories that pollute a lot also have much power. Who is going to regulate them or even stop them from polluting as much as they do? Politics can be brought into this debate, but essentially politics is another example of actions by humans that contribute to climate change. The article, “How Can Factories Affect The Environment?” makes the statement, “In fact, it has been claimed that factories are to blame for as much as 2/3rds of the pollution that has caused climate change”. That is a bold statement to make because the author is claiming that over fifty percent of the pollution that has caused climate change has come from factories. It is evident that humans are the ones making and working in factories, which backs up the claim of humans contributing the most to climate change.

Humans are capable of doing many things. Throughout history, people have accomplished a lot to have significantly impacted the world. Global warming is an event that has occurred for an extended period. However, due to advances in technology and the greediness of humans, climate change has become a more significant issue. Scientific evidence has, without a doubt, proven that imbalances in water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons have led to global warming. The imbalances of such gases and elements are primarily credited to human activities. Sure there are other factors as well. However, there is plenty of scientific evidence to show that humans are the main ones responsible for the vast increases in temperatures worldwide and other effects as well. Science can clearly prove humans as the largest factor in global warming from the emotion behind greed to the results of activities such as factory pollution. So when people argue about what exactly is responsible for global warming, sure it is caused naturally, and even animals affect the environment, but without a doubt, there is enough scientific evidence to show that humans are the leading cause of global warming.

 

Works Cited

“Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know?” NASA, NASA, 9 July 2019, https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/.

“Climate Science Glossary.” Skeptical Science, https://skepticalscience.com/Global-Warming-Effects.html.

Malone, Noreen. “This Weather Is What Global Warming Looks Like.” Intelligencer, Intelligencer, 3 July 2012, http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2012/07/this-weather-is-what-global-warming-looks-like.html.

McKibben, Bill. “Climate Change.” Foreign Policy, no. 170, 2009, pp. 32–38. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25462376.

Taylor, George. “Climate Change & Global Warming: Interview w/ George Taylor.” YouTube, George Taylor, 18 Feb. 2007, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQEiiDTrXIM.

UK, Field. “How Can Factories Affect The Environment?” Field, 2018, www.field.org.uk/how-can-factories-affect-the-environment/.

US Department of Commerce, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Does Climate Change Affect Coral Reefs?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 3 Mar. 2015, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralreef-climate.html.

Zeldovich, Lina. “Get Ready For More Heat Waves!” Jstor Daily, Jstor Daily, 28 Aug. 2018, https://daily.jstor.org/get-ready-for-more-heat-waves/.