Green buildings, global warming and clean energy Essay

Mans failure to act today could go away in an unsustainable planet characterized by warmer temperatures that whitethorn snowball pop of control, it would lead to extinction of certain animal species, an append in sea levels so causing such(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) farmingy disasters much(prenominal)(prenominal) as hurri stopes or legion(predicate) diseases, less water availability in tertiary introduction countries thus leading to conflicts amongst them and the spread of tropical diseases such(prenominal)(prenominal) as malaria. (Mc Carthy, 2001) Consequently, it is murder field glassholder upon small-arm to establish ways in which he provide number global heating.This can be come acrossd by using the right grade of energy i. e. clean energy since this is responsible for emission of greennesshouse gases which origin global heating system. The paper shall dwell on how earth can achieve the latter through green buildings. II. Claim of event A) The major fuss being tackled is that of global melt. Studies have shown that the amount of green house gases piece in the atmosphere tend to stay there for a genuinely long time. This authority that global w is a harsh truth that may non disappear without human intervention. (Schneider, 2002) 1) Increased diseases and disastersFirstly, the phenomenon of global warming is red to cause warmer climates in the Northern parts of the demesne such as the linked States. Consequently, vectors such as mosquitoes pull up stakes outgrowth tremendously. This implies that diseases such as malaria may start appearing in such countries. The future generation of Americans has a right to be protected from such a predicament because current occupants did not have to deal with such a problem. One only has to look at how slightly three human being countries atomic number 18 having a difficult time handling this reckon in revision to understand the seriousness of the issue.Meteorologica l forecasts have shown that if the orb gets warmer, oceans and different water bodies lead keep on rising. This means that the inwrought event of hurricanes allow for be much more than it had been previously imagined. In 2004 and 2005, the land was plagued with very deadly hurricanes that caused tremendous damage to bear on parties. Since there is a possibility of preventing such occurrences, thus individuals must carry out their indebtedness of ensuring that it is enacted. (Godrej, 2001) One of the worst outcomes of this problem of global warming is extended periods of droughts and protracted heat waves.A number of countries in the world still wager on natural rain alone to grow their crops and as sources of water. These triad world countries currently face the problem of water shortage and the moorage could get worse if droughts keep occurring. Such situations could cause a variation among affected communities thus leading to conflicts or war. These developing natio ns have provided Americans with numerous investment opportunities and any problem that arises in those regions could tremendously affect individuals deep down the US. (Nordhaus, 1998)2) Economic consequences If there willing be more disasters occurring in the world, thusly one cannot undermine the economic consequences that the US itself will be get by with. The hurricanes in New Orleans caused losses amounting to billions of dollars. The country cannot afford more disasters such as these because its deliverance will begin staggering in ways that had not been anticipated. The loss of lives and property among future generations could ruin their economy and it is therefore negligent for current citizens to merely sit by without doing some issue well-nigh it.In close relation to the latter mentioned scenario is the emergence of tropical diseases. ontogenesis nations spend so much money treating such diseases. Additionally, the lives lost as a result cause huge dents in their econo my. The equal thing could happen to the United States and other western nations if zero is do today. (Van Arsdol, 2004) 3) run ice rink caps Lastly, the problem of global warming can and has caused tha denotation of ice caps that could lead to other consequences as shown below a) Rising sea levels b) globose outbalancec) Endanger adjust and animal life d) Snowballing temperatures If global warming continues unabated, thusly chances ar that ice caps will keep melting and the sp ar water will head to the oceans and seas. Currently, glaciers and permanent snow account for quin point seven million cubic miles cost of water. If even some portions of this ice were to melt into water, then seas and oceans could rise by dozens of feet. Since this may occur gradually, then chances are that those low attitude regions will be ruined by this. (Clout, 2008)If ice caps continue melting, then chances are that the ecosystem as we know it today would be thoroughly messed up. This is larg ely because ice caps come from fresh water. If they are redirected into the sea, then the sea would loose its saltiness thus leading to a distortion of gulf currents. What this means is that ocean currents will change temperature conditions in spite of appearance Western Europe and North America. This means that organisms that had suffer accustomed to those temperatures will no longer survive in such adverse conditions.Melting ice caps will affect animal and plant life owing to the concomitant that these creatures will have new climatic conditions. Since not all life can change at such a fast pace or in accordance to bring in circum situations, then chances are that only the most adaptable will remain. This means that so many species may become extinct. Future generations will never get a chance to see such life or benefit from them. Ice cap melting can cause snowballing temperatures because ice caps are important sunlight reflectors in the world today.If they are reduced, then chances are that only the oceans will be able to reflect off sunlight. However, compared to ice caps, oceans are much Stygianer in color yet dark colors tend to do more absorption that reflection. This implies that the earth will keep getting warmer, more ice caps will keep melting and the cycle continues. (Maslin, 2004) B) Demographics of the study The latter study will steering on the United States as the primary geographical region. However, some generalizations applicable to the last out of the world will also be done.In terms of strict actions, the study will target some of the things that The United States citizenry can enact in order to curb this problem. Consequently, the research will focus on some of the changes that persons from all ages can enact in order to deal with such the problem of global warming. Since the highest numbers of buildings are nominate in cities, then this research will target Metropolitan areas within the country. III. Claim of value If man does not take action now, then chances are that global arming will exert a heavier continue on him.The situation can spiral out of control and this harms spate who may not have caused it in the first place. For instance, persons in the third world produce minor fractions of carbon emission to the atmosphere only if will be the first to feel the effects of droughts and other natural disasters. Global warming inescapably to be taken as a personal responsibility by all members of humanity. It is a known feature that the one of the capitalest pollutants within this age is man. He has the ability to make for conscious decisions that do not just benefit him alone hardly his surroundings as well. (Holton et al, 2003) A. comment of my angle 1) It is mans personal responsibility It would be selfish to live for only today without mentation about how future generations would survive. If this earths forefathers had taken up the same attitude, then current generations would not have been al ive today. Part of mans responsibility is to ensure that he makes the earth sustainable for himself and his descendants too. (Lange et al, 2008) The latter view is one held by environmentalists and other individuals interested in preserving the environment. Part of what constitutes morality in man is his concern for his surroundings.If every sensation individual lived for himself or herself, then the world would be a disorganized place. Additionally, it has been argued that failure to take action today could lead to a great amount of risk. While some parties hold that global warming is not a real concept, the effects that could arise if the phenomenon was not real are still quite positive. The country and indeed the world would have much more to loose if it turns out that global arming is real and nothing was done about it rather than if it turns out that it was not real and something was done about it.2) It would be costly to the economy In a make known released by the UNEP duri ng the year 2001, it had been asserted that not doing anything about global warming could cost the country up to two snow billion dollars worth of revenue. The consultants who attended the latter conference asserted that this could rise to five hundred or one thousand billion dollars in subsequent years. If man may not be moved by the environmental issues that are affecting him, then perhaps these staggering economic figures could be shakier. 3) Whether it is a natural or man made processes is irrelevantThe truth of the proposition is that man has the ability to alter a natural process since this natural process is electronegative. Regardless of the fact that global warming may be a natural or artificial process, a rise in temperature will destabilize the environment. This means that biodiversity will decrease and so will food production. The current rising populations will not be uphold by their food production efforts and this could be very disastrous as it could cause millions of dying. The latter scenario can even be compared to a applicative occurrence.If one was to find out today that he or she was going to die, then it would not make sense to find out whether that death is due to natural or man made causes. All that actually matters is that the person gets some help to prevent the death from occurring. Opponents of global warming may claim that this is nothing but a natural process. However, whether or not it is a natural process does not change the negative effects that it could cause to man. It is therefore essential to understand that such a global system can be altered for the betterment of society. B.Description of counter claims to this value 1) Right wing politicians and industrialists stand point otherwise groups claim that global warming effects are not as adverse as some people may claim. In fact such attitudes have infiltrated into political decisions within the Country. During the past presidential regime, the United States has been o ne of the least enthusiastic western countries in terms of its environmental sustainability policies. Some politicians turn over that the country ought to dwell on more pressure issues such as the unavoidableness for energy security.Consequently, such individuals have assented projects that increase carbon emissions in the atmosphere with little regard for the effect that this may have on the earths climatic conditions. In the US, manufacture lobbyists tend to oppose the views held by environmentalists and their actions are usually supported by right wing politicians. Traditionally, left wing politicians tend to be concerned about the overall good of society while right wing leaders tend to concentrate on building a capitalist economy.These perspectives have often led to a locking of horns when it comes to environmental issues such as global warming. (OHare, 2005) 2) Lack of hard facts Some skeptics claims that global warming as a phenomenon still leaves so many questions unans wered. They assert that there is a lack of compelling evidence to show that these effects will actually occur. In fact, some maintain that most effects are mere forecasts. In close relation to the latter angle is the fact that some scientists believe that global warming is a way in which the earth can balance off certain excesses.For instance, while temperatures may be going up in other parts of the world as a result of the phenomenon, others in the North East American region will be going down thus video display that the system will balance itself out. Adherents to this theory claim maintain that when an anomalousness occurs such as a hurricane, then this will be labelled as a piece of evidence by environmentalists. These opponents further issue that global warming enthusiasts tend to disregard contrary occurrences even when this is illustration of common weather patterns.For instance, a study conducted along US sliding board lines some time in 2006 found that greater death ra te have been recorded there because of increased population and wealth in these coastal towns and not as a result of greater intensities of the hurricane or as a result of global warming for that matter. Also, some scientists believe that the earths rising temperatures could be as result of glide slope out of the ice age. (Hardy, 2003)In other words, they claim that it is very normal for earth temperatures to increase since this is just a phase. 3) Business mens stance on the matterA certain crop of individuals are not as enthusiastic as environmentalists when it comes to global warming. These individuals are businessmen whose produce entails emission of carbon particles. The latter are required to invest to a great extent in green strategies that may cost their businesses a lot of revenue. close to of these business men tend to look for ways in which they can circumvent such obligations and one way in which they do this is by claiming that global warming effects are not that pr evalent or they do not exists. They therefore posses ulterior motives in holding such a point of view.(Allaby, 2004) IV. Claim of policy A) Methodological plan to cream the problem The problem of global warming can be single-minded by embracing clean energy through the use of green buildings. Focus is on the United States because the latter country is at the center of attention of the world economy and its initiatives can serve as an example to other countries of the world that also need to embrace this fact. The latter country needs to pass legislations for designated residential and commercial houses to be green buildings. Statistics on the need for green buildings indicate the following