Global warming Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Global warming - Research Paper Example The high increase in temperatures has resulted in global warming, which has negatively affected the environment. Goldstein (2009) reports that the earth’s surface has experienced about 0.8% rise in temperature since 20th century. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 projected that the earth’s surface temperatures could increase from 1.1 to 2.9 oC in the 21st century (Goldstein, 2009). The increase is also expected to continue unless something is done to stop activities perceived to cause global warming. A report by the BBC also indicated that the world would be six and a half degrees warmer than it is today by the time a child born today reaches 80 years. Global warming has mainly been blamed on human activities taking place all over the world. However, many researchers have demonstrated that global warming is the result of greenhouse emissions into the environment. In this regard, scientists have shown that global warming occurs due to carbon emissions released into the environment, which blocks the ozone layer thereby preventing the sun’s light and heat from reaching the earth’s surface, notes Goldstein (2009). ... Research indicates that many countries in the world currently depend on fossil fuels as the main energy source. In fact, Victor (2011) reveals that more than 90% of energy all over the world currently comes from fossil fuel. According to Victor, the negative impacts of global warming are already being felt on the earth today. The impacts include persistent bush fires, glacial movements, perennial drought, flooding, typhoons and rising sea levels just to name but a few. However, since global warming is the direct result of human activities, it is viewed in an ethical angle. It is unethical for human beings to engage in activities that promote global warming. This is based on the fact that the consequences of global warming stretches beyond the good purposes for which the activities are meant. This paper will explain why I consider activities promoting global warming as being unethical. Global warming is indeed causing havoc in the world over. Its impacts are adversely affecting all na ture-human beings, oceans, forests, farms, mountains, and coasts among others. According to Fern (2003), the global warming caused by greenhouse emissions is a direct result of human activities such as burning of charcoals, industrialization, farming, the use of fossil fuel and other activities that release carbon into the atmosphere. Ethically, the most fundamental question we are often confronted with concerning particular environmental ethics pertains to the obligations we have regarded the natural environment (Keller, 2010). In this regard, if the conviction regarding the obligation is that we as human beings will suffer as a result of the failure to act appropriately, then this is regarded â€Å"anthropocentric,† which