Climate Change

Persuasive Essay # 104664

Environmental Studies > Air Pollution
Environmental Studies > Environmental Problems
Hot Topics > Global Warming

Climate Change

This paper provides an analysis of implications of the change in climate.

1,300 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that it is deeply disturbing that the greenhouse gases currently being added to the atmosphere at such an alarming rate are predicted to increase average global surface temperatures by several degrees Celsius, a change that is larger than the natural variation occurring over the past fifteen-thousand years. The writer maintains that in order to avoid catastrophic climate change, it is incumbent upon humanity to place morality and environmental ethics above economics. The writer argues that the only practical means of achieving control over industrial or commercial practices which harm the environment is for national governments around the world to take the responsibility for providing effective environmental protection standards and then to strictly enforce those standards, even when it involves negative economic consequences.

From the Paper:

"National governments, or some international environmental authority, must be given the power and mandate to protect the earth from any form of industrial, commercial, or economic development actions which contribute to negative rates of global climate change.
"This can be accomplished in a responsible manner, without incurring severe economic hardship on any particular industry if sufficient studies are conducted in regard to the likely economic impacts of environmental legislation prior to implementation and enforcement. We are altering the climate of the planet, and that the greatest care must be taken to ensure that we are not causing irreversible damage to the environment. If this means choosing caution and greater environmental protection legislation at the expense of economic growth then so be it. A poisoned planet will benefit no one."

Sample of Sources Used:

Drake, Frances. (2000). Global warming: the science of climate change. New York: Hodder Arnold.
Flannery, Tim. (2006). The weather makers: how we are changing the climate and what it means for life on earth. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press.
Gore, Al. (1993). Earth in the balance: ecology and the human spirit. New York: Plume.