Although a column on global warming may seem a bit absurd right now, especially after Mother Nature decided to dump another foot of snow on southern Wisconsin this past weekend, a recent article from the Associated Press discussed some visible biological effects of global warming. It pointed to the earlier and earlier appearance of birds and flower buds as an indication of this climate-changing phenomenon.
The majority of people in the world agree that global warming is indeed occurring. However, there is some disparity as to the exact cause of the ever-warming environment and which solutions to pursue. There is insurmountable evidence, though, that human activity is indeed the culprit behind global warming, and action needs to be taken now before we permanently scar our world.
There is really no argument against the fact that the constant burning of massive amounts of fossil fuels combined with many of our agricultural practices is releasing a huge amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Many skeptics of global warming, however, point to cyclical solar flares, ocean currents or just natural variation as the real culprits behind the rising temperatures. They claim that the warming of the environment is actually quite natural, and they do have a valid point; the solar output of the sun does typically vary, and theoretically we could be simply going through a period of increased solar output. Also, there some evidence that varying ocean currents could dramatically change our climate. Yet there is overwhelming proof that human activity is the real reason behind the rising temperatures.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there are three major indications that mankind is the actual cause. The first is the warming of ocean waters up to 1500 feet below the surface, the measured temperatures of which fall well outside the range of natural variations.
The second indication is the upward shifting of layers of the atmosphere. Scientists have confirmed that while the sun has increased in output over the last century, that alone would not account for the major rise in position of the tropopause, the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The release of greenhouse gases from humans, when combined with increased solar output, however does explain the shifting of the Earth's atmosphere.
The third sign that human activity is to blame for global warming is the drastic warming of the earth's surface temperature. According to scientists on the International Panel of Climate Change, solar fluctuations and aerosol pollution alone would not be able to cause such a dramatic rise in the Earth's temperature. Therefore, the emission of fossil fuels from human activity must be the main driving force that is causing our climate to change.
Action against global warming needs to be taken now, before our environment is forever damaged. A great first step for the United States would be to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This is especially important because as a nation we release the greatest amount of greenhouse gases in the world. The Kyoto Protocol requires nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent as compared to what that country emitted in 1990, and to do this between the years 2008 and 2012.
The United States had refused to sign the treaty, though, claiming it would be detrimental to the U.S. economy. However, several large U.S. cities, including Madison and Milwaukee, have adopted the terms of the Kyoto Protocol, and have been at least partially successful thus far without damaging their economies. This shows that the Kyoto Protocol can be successful in a developed nation like the United States, without having grievous effects on the financial system. Thus, the Kyoto Protocol is a great first step towards fixing what mankind has done to the planet.
While ratification of the Kyoto Protocol would be a great way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is only the first step. Immediate action by governments from around the world needs to be taken to ensure a sustainable planet for the future generations of the world.
To do nothing about Global warming is irresponsible. Human activity is the main reason for what has happened to the world. We are the cause, and we must find a solution before it is too late.
Ryan Dashek is a sophomore majoring in biology. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
