Global Warming and its Effects (Essay Sample)

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Global warming
Middle East is one of the worst hit parts by climate change in the world. This has been brought about by global warming. Global warming is the gradual increase in earth’s atmosphere temperatures as a result of blocking of some part of sun rays hitting the earth are blocked from radiating in to the outer space (Ahmadalipour, and Moradkhani 216). The atmosphere acts like a greenhouse that traps heat to keep the earth at certain temperatures that can sustain life. However, when the heat is reflected back, a lot of it is being retained thus increasing the temperatures higher than normal. This is caused by several human activities and has widespread effects in the ecosystems and natural environment at large. This paper therefore discusses the causes and effects of global warming in the Middle East region.
Global warming mainly occurs when carbon dioxide, air pollutants as well as other greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere trap heat reflected back from earth surface thus making the atmosphere to grow hotter (Ahmadalipour, and Moradkhani 218). Under normal circumstances, the heat would be released in the space which makes it not too hot or too cold. According to experts, over the last five decades the temperatures have increased in the fastest rate recorded in history and the trend is accelerating.
The leading cause of greenhouse gases is burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels comprise of coal, gases and oils which when burned produce carbon dioxide which is the most important greenhouse gas (Ahmadalipour, and Moradkhani 225. Again, fossil fuel burning release other toxic gases in to the atmosphere such as mercury, nitrous oxide, methane, Chlorofluorocarbons and water favour. All these absorb sunlight and heat thus increasing atmospheric temperatures (greenhouse effect). Although fossil fuels provide energy which is important for life, the effects are fast tracking and may cause a permanent damage to the world and all that lives in it.
Trees play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide released in to the atmosphere. However, Middle East is marked by rampant deforestations where people cut down trees for money (Lelieveld, Jos, et al. 255. The region now has stretches of deserts which was not the case in ancient times. This has reduced the rate at which carbon dioxide absorbed thus increasing the amount circulating in to the atmosphere. Desertification therefore has contributed to global warming by contributing to increase in greenhouse gases.
Intensive farming in the region has also contributed to global warming. This is as a result of increased use of plant protection products as well as fertilizers (Lelieveld, Jos, et al. 253). These produce nitrous oxide which forms part of greenhouse gases. Livestock on the other hand methane is produced during digestion and also from manure. Intensification of both animal and crop production in the Middle East has increased emission of these gases which is not complimented by ways to help reduce them.
Waste management practises have also played a critical role in greenhouse gases emission. Decomposing wastes and incineration also emit greenhouse gases and toxic gases like methane in to the atmosphere as well as water ways and soil. Most Middle East cities are marked with rampant waste disposal which not only affects the residents’ health but also hazardous to the environment. In 2015, Aljazeera covered a story about the rot in Beirut the capital city of Lebanon which produced a suffocating stink in summer ("Why Middle East Cities Should Worry About Climate Change" 3). This is a replication of what’s happening in most cities in the Middle East.
Mining activities spread across the middle east also have a share of contributing to global warming. First, the emissions released as a result of mining activities contribute to greenhouse gases (Ahmadalipour, and Moradkhani 220). Secondly, mining wastes which may consist of toxic chemicals are released to waterways and soils. Third, increased cutting of trees in the mining sites which increases deforestation which has its share in global warming. The Kirazli Mining site in Turkey allegedly cut down trees four times faster than it was allowed thus sparking public protests ("Why Middle East Cities Should Worry About Climate Change" 4).
Global warming has diverse effects both directly and indirectly. In recent years, the Middle East has seen the impacts of global warming taking toll. First, long droughts experienced in some parts of the region is an evidence that climate change is right here (Lelieveld, Jos, et al. 257). Lebanon is one of the key victims of this causing a great deal in agricultural production. Occurrence of droughts in the region has also its effects which include farmers migrating to urban centres in search of livelihoods since agriculture is no longer there. For instance, in 2010, there was massive movement of rural farmers in to Aleppo among other cities. Additionally, long droughts have been preceded with