Carbon Dioxide: The Dangerous Gamble
Bruce Headings
Thesis: As the environment encounters damage from increasing levels of carbon dioxide, actions on both governmental and individual levels need to be implemented in order to protect the welfare of future life.
Outline
I. Introduction
II. Potential Effects of High Atmospheric C02 Levels
A. Global Warming
B. Droughts, Diseases, and Biodiversity
C. Rising Tide of the Oceans
III. Factors Involved In Rising C02 Emissions
A. World's Large Consumption of Energy
B. Rapid Population Growth
C. Destruction of Natural Forage
IV. Does Global Warming Exist?
A. Climate Change as a Natural Process
B. High Atmospheric CO2 Levels Are Good for Plants
C. Carbon Sink Hole
A. Kyoto Protocol to Reduce CO2 Production
B. Opposition to the Kyoto Protocol
C. Permits to Emit CO2
D. Alternative Methods to Counteract the Effects of Global Warming
VI. What Can I Do?
A. Energy Conservation in the House
B. Tree Planting and Recyling
C. An Attitude Change
VII. Conclusion
VII. Works Cited
In an era of rising technology and increasing population, demands on the environment are continually being pushed to new levels. As a result, it becomes important for us to expand our knowledge about the environment and take appropriate actions to protect this element of most importance to human existence. One component of our environment experiencing some of the greatest abuse due to humans is the air. Air pollution has been on the rise ever since the beginning of industrialization. The climbing number of factories and use of cars worldwide are the major culprits of this environmental hazard. There are various gases released into the air that can be considered air pollutants, but one of the most prevalent and dangerous to the environment is carbon dioxide (CO2). Up to 95% of the CO2 produced is the result of natural processes (Burnett & Matthews Jr., 1998). The rest is a direct result of human activity, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels in the production of energy
Potential Effects of High Atmospheric CO2
Levels
The major effect most scientists fear as the result of increased levels
of CO2 in our atmosphere is global warming. By blocking the heat reflected
from the Earth's surface, greenhouse gases are able to warm the planet in
a similar way to how glass warms up a greenhouse. Without this greenhouse
effect, it is calculated our planet would be 35 degrees Celsius cooler worldwide,
causing oceans to freeze and greatly altering life (Doyle,
1996). According to this theory, if levels of greenhouse gases continue
to rise above their current levels, the Earth's temperatures would also
rise. Some of the major greenhouse gases excluding water vapor are: carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Of these, CO2
is the most important because of the vast amount released by human activity.
Before the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide
was 280 ppm; it has now risen to a level of 360 ppm today with an annual
increase of 2 ppm (Rising Carbon, 1992).
There are various consequences that may arise if significant global warming begins to take effect. Some scientists believe that over the next 50 years, global temperatures could rise by as much as 1.5-4.5 degrees Celsius worldwide (Climate Change, 1997). Many speculate that this increase in temperatures could produce profound, if not devastating effects to our environment and ourselves. Already, many scientists are attributing some of the severe weather around the world such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts to global warming (Bernard, 1993). The high-latitude regions are likely to have the largest temperature change, while regions such as the North American Great Plains are predicted to feel a large decrease in precipitation (Climate Change, 1997). In regions with a lowered precipitation rate, agriculture would suffer, potentially causing severe economic and food shortage problems. Numerous species of plants and animals could also suffer, causing permanent damage to ecosystems and biodiversity. It is also thought that because of the climate change, there is potential for widespread infection of tropical diseases to new areas around the world (Singer, 1996). Perhaps the most dramatic result of a temperature increase might be a rise in sea level due to the melting of polar ice caps. It has been projected that seas could rise by 1-4 feet during the next 100 years (Lyman, 1990), and potentially to as much as 20 feet by the year 2300. (Doyle, 1996). This would be enough to flood coastal cities and cover many of the smaller islands such as the Florida Keys.
Factors Involved In Rising CO2 Emissions
Since the mid-50's, the atmospheric air concentration of carbon dioxide
has increased by nearly 25 percent (Climate Change,
1997). This rise in carbon emission rates is largely due to the growing
world energy consumption. Three countries--the United States, Russia, China--produced
and consumed roughly 40 percent of the world's energy. In 1990, per capita
emissions in the U.S. were more than 11 times the level consistent with
a stable environment (Increasing Greenhouse, 1995).
The primary sources of energy use in the U.S. according to 1987 data are:
electric utilities-35%, residential buildings-11%, industry-24%, and transportation-30%
(Lyman, 1990). Although it is primarily the
industrialized nations who are to blame for the current high levels of carbon
dioxide, the majority of future increases in emissions will be the result
of growing energy usage in the underdeveloped countries. For example, it
is projected that if China joins the auto-age with 400 million drivers taking
to the roads, emissions of CO2 will rise by 30 percent (Smog
From, 1998). If the industrialized nations do not lower their carbon
emission rates and the third world continues to progress toward western
ways, atmospheric CO2 will continue to surge to new levels.
One of the often ignored factors involved in the rising CO2 levels is
the growing population. It is estimated that the population will rise from
its current level of 6 billion to 11.2 billion by the year 2100 (Bongaarts, 1997). Slowing the population growth would
significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions in the future as well as aid
other non-environmental problems. The main method of curbing population
outside of setting birth laws is through elimination of unwanted pregnancies.
More than 100 million unwanted pregnancies occur annually in underdeveloped
countries alone (Bongaarts, 1997). By improving
education and increasing the use of contraception, this number can be lowered.
Controlling population is difficult, but in the future this may be an important
area of focus since reducing the economic growth rate does not seem to be
a favorable option, especially in developing countries.
As previously indicated, not all the carbon dioxide produced is the result of burning fossil fuels. Roughly 95% of the carbon dioxide released into the air is the result of natural processes such as respiration in living organisms and volcanic activity (Burnett & Matthews Jr., 1998). Other factors that impact carbon dioxide levels include the clearing and burning of forests around the world. Trees are being cut down both for commercial as well as agricultural use. One of the areas of greatest concern is in the tropical rainforests. These forests are being cut down by people who need the land for farming. After a few years, the land quickly becomes useless because the soil is not fertile. Consequently, the farmers again move deeper into the forest and cut down more trees for farmland. These rain forests are important since they soak up much of the world's CO2. Once they are cut down they do not come back, resulting in the loss of a priceless commodity.
Although the theory of global warming has gained a large amount of support
during the past two decades, there is still insufficient evidence to strongly
confirm its effects. There is also no consensus as to what is a safe or
dangerous level of carbon dioxide. It is estimated that our planet's temperature
has risen approximately 1 degree Celsius during the past 100 years (Novak, 1998). This data warrants some attention,
but there are still questions of its importance as well as its reliability
in relation to temperature records. With the climate continually changing
due to natural processes such as volcanic eruptions or El Nino, it is difficult
to prove that a 1 degree change is solely due to global warming. And even
if there would be a temperature rise, the resulting global effects are merely
hypothetical propositions.
High levels of atmospheric CO2 have captured the attention of many people
who are concerned about the environment, but there are still those who question
its detrimental effects. Some claim that it is not only harmless, but beneficial.
These people emphasize the point that higher levels of carbon dioxide aid
plant growth and would not be directly harmful to humans. In order for it
to be toxic to humans according to mine safety regulations, CO2 levels would
need to be higher than 5,000 ppm (Burnett &
Matthews, Jr., 1998). Since carbon dioxide is the basic raw material
plants use in photosynthesis, the plants would grow faster and larger. Other
benefits to the plants would be a reduction in water loss, greater resistance
to temperature extremes, better growth at low-light intensities, improved
root/top ratios, less injury from air pollutants, and more nutrients in
the soil as a result of extensive nitrogen fixation (Burnett
& Matthews, Jr., 1998). The effect of carbon dioxide is not old
news as greenhouses have been adding this gas for years in order to raise
yields of flowers and vegetables. It is projected that if atmospheric levels
of CO2 would double, plant productivity would increase by almost one-third
(Rising Carbon, 1992). If this were to take
place, it could prove very beneficial in the future as demand for food increases
along with our growing population.
It has been calculated that roughly one-half of the gas emitted by fossil fuel combustion is missing from the atmosphere (Soil Seen, 1996). This mysterious carbon "sink hole" has been linked to various causes. It had been long thought by scientists that the oceans absorb the missing carbon, but there are now some new ideas as to the cause. Jeff Andrews from Duke University claims that the missing carbon can be found underneath our feet. He says that trees pump it into the ground where it leaches into groundwater, preventing it from reentering the atmosphere (Soil Seen, 1996). It is also speculated that the resurgence of trees in previously cleared areas across the north as well as increased plant growth rate resulting from extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may account for some of the extra carbon uptake (Missing Carbon, 1995). Some who still believe in the old attitude that the global climate system is too enormous and stable to be affected by anything we do use this phenomenon to emphasize the resiliency of the environment (Lyman, 1990).
Trying to balance the importance of our environment and our economy is a
very difficult job for the leaders of nations around the world. In the U.S.,
the government has placed regulations in the past on automakers for gas
efficiency as well as factories for their emission quality. These regulations
have helped on a smaller scale, but more still needed to be done. In 1992,
the UN Climate Treaty was signed in Rio de Janeiro stating that as a goal,
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would be kept at "non-dangerous
levels". These goals were left unclear, prompting the U.S. government
not to endorse a policy of mandating activities that would lead to reduced
emissions of CO2 (Singer, 1996). In December
1997, a new agreement called the Kyoto Protocol was reached. The protocol
was agreed to by 160 nations, but exempts 130 of those including China,
Mexico, India, and Brazil due to rapidly changing economies. Under this
agreement, the U.S. is required to cut its emissions to less than their
1990 levels between the years 2008 and 2012. Presideint Clinton has signed
this treaty, but has said he will not seek out ratification from the Senate
until he has secured "meaningful participation" from underdeveloped
countries (Administration Pushes, 1998).
The work done in Kyoto by President Clinton has not found favor with
everyone, leaving many critics to voice their opinions. Some find it unfair
that the developing countries are left off the hook even though they will
be responsible for the largest portion of future CO2 increases. Here in
the U.S., they are also afraid the agreement will bring a devastating effect.
The hardest hit area is expected to be in industrial competitiveness. With
an increase in production costs due to taxes and restrictions as the result
of the treaty, American manufacturers will have a difficult time competing
with cheaper foreign products. In Louisiana alone, it is estimated they
will lose over 64,000 jobs because of weakened world markets due to the
mandates of the treaty. The state is also expecting electricity bills to
increase by 70 percent and the cost of gasoline to rise by 50 cents due
to tax increases (Livingston, 1998). A study
by WEFA (Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates) estimates that the
cost to the U.S. per year due to the agreement could reach 300 billion a
year--more than is annually spent on elementary and secondary education.
This translates into $2,700 of lost income for a family of four by the year
2010 (Novak, 1998). As a result of all of this,
Cato Institute claims that there will be a reduction of planetary mean temperature
by only 0.19 degree Celsius over the next 50 years (Kyoto
Treaty, 1998). If these statistics are accurate, there is reason to
believe that the Kyoto agreement will not be enough and that more will need
to be done in order to stop this problem.
The Kyoto Protocol is one method that governments are using in an attempt
to control the potentially damaging effects of CO2. In Ottawa, Canada, the
government feels as though they have a different method that will produce
revenue while also reducing greenhouse gases. This alternative to taxes
would take place by auctioning permits to emit CO2. These permits would
be tradable between companies similar to the buying and selling of stocks.
The money extracted could then be used to help the economy in areas such
as reduction of the federal governmental debt (Byfield
& Hope, 1998). If this idea would work, it would become a good way
to both protect the environment and help the country stay economically strong.
There are also scientists who feel they have better ways to solve the CO2 problem. A current idea being explored by scientists at the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry in Abiko, Japan is to dispose of CO2 into the oceans. This method calls for CO2 to be loaded into tankers (liquid form), sent out to open sea, and pumped to depths of 6,500 feet. In the water, the CO2 would be released as a fine mist and slowly spread around the bottom. Calculations show that over the next 100 years, only 10 percent of the CO2 would rise to the surface and the marine environment would not be damaged provided the gas was pumped to deep enough levels. Using this method, it is estimated that it would take three tankers working full time to transport the CO2 produced by a single large (1 gigawatt) coal-fired power plant (Kunzig & Zimmer, 1998). There are also ideas of combating global warming by reflecting the sun's rays away from the earth. This would be done by shooting tiny reflective particles into the atmosphere or by sending thousands of large mirrors into space. Other researchers want to increase plankton population in the arctic regions of the oceans by spreading iron in the water to stimulate their growth (Kunzig & Zimmer, 1998). The increase of plankton would then soak up large amounts of atmospheric CO2. At this point, these ideas are not very practical or fully tested to be safe. It seems that the best way to counteract global warming would not be to alter the environment, but rather attack the problem directly by reducing the output of CO2.
We know that society's rapid rate of burning fossil fuels has greatly
increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and although somewhat
weakly, our government is attempting to address the problem. This leaves
the rest of us with the question of "What can I do?" In the U.S.,
we emit more than 5 billion tons of CO2 per year. That comes out to about
20 tons, or 40,000 pounds, per person. This means there is a lot of room
for each of us to cut down on our consumption. The best way to do this is
to remember the 3 R's--Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The easiest place to reduce is in the house. Cutting energy use will
lower carbon dioxide emissions and save money. For example, simply wrapping
the water heater in an insulating jacket can save a homeowner $45 a year
and save 169 pounds of carbon. Replacing old shower heads with newer, efficient
ones can cut the use of hot water by half and caulking around windows and
doors can save on heating bills by 25% and eliminate 464 pounds of carbon
a year. According to Christopher Moser of the Safe Energy Communication
Council, if all homes would do these things, one-third of the CO2 reduction
called for in the U.S. under the Kyoto Protocol would be accounted for (Knuzig & Zimmer, 1998). Another easy place
to conserve energy is in the use of our cars. Smaller cars burn much less
gas than the big sport utility vehicles and trucks. Carpool when possible
and ride bike or walk if you have only a short distance to go. Reducing
is the first and best way for all of us to save energy without requiring
an extreme change in lifestyle.
Reusing also becomes an important aspect of conserving energy. If possible,
use something again instead of throwing it away. Maybe it's reusable diapers
instead of disposable ones or simply finding another use for that old, leftover
wood lying around the house. If reusing is not possible, then recycle. Whenever
items are reused or recycled, energy is saved. As a result, less CO2 will
be emitted into our atmosphere. Another idea is to plant trees. An easy
way is to support and donate money to a Global ReLeaf Forest Project. For
just $1, you can have a tree planted in one of these projects. It would
take 90 trees over a 40 year period to offset the carbon dioxide an energy-efficient
household emits per year (Kunzig & Zimmer, 1998).
In this way, it becomes possible for each person to balance the carbon debt
they are creating.
Perhaps the best thing we can do is change our attitude. If we have an attitude of respect for nature, then we will naturally make decisions in our daily lives that avoid abuse to the environment. Hopefully this attitude will then rub off on others who decide to follow in a similar fashion. Setting a good example is one of the fastest and easiest ways of spreading good environmental practices. If each person does his/her part, then together we can make a difference to live in peace with the world created around us.
High atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the result of some of our most damaging environmental practices. These practices have left many people scared of their future as well as their children's future. It is not known what the effects of CO2 emissions will have in the future, but there seems to be strong consensus among scientists that problems may arise. Using this knowledge, it only makes sense for us to take action and keep from finding out what might happen. It becomes difficult for any one person to feel as though he/she is making a difference, but there are things that can be done. The job of each person is to do the best they can to try to balance the carbon debt they are creating. This can be done by various methods of energy and environmental conservation. We need to be concerned about preserving our environment, but it is not necessary or helpful to become paranoid. All we can do is our part and set a good example for others to do the same. Those who want to become more involved can start new programs in the community or educate others about our environment. There are still many people who do not know the extent of damage being done to the environment. In order to effectively combat CO2 and other forms of air pollution so that future generations can live in and enjoy the same environment we have today, it is going to require strong actions on both individual and governmental levels.
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