Can we prevent global warming?

Answers to the 15 questions (No.27) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “What can we do to prevent global warming?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “10 things every person can do to prevent climate change”, and the other was the website of “9 Things You Can Do About Climate Change”. From the first source, I learned that there are many things we can do to prevent global warming. For example, buying high efficiency appliances is very important. Since one of the cause of CO2 being emitted is from home appliance, changing to high-performance home appliance is one of the solution to prevent CO2 emission. Because this article is written explicitly, and it’s easy to imagine the way to change our life, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, other example of what we can do to prevent global warming is to reduce and reuse before recycling.  The transport and processing of materials for recycling proved to be carbon intensive, so r...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.26) Posted by Junya When we try to answer the question “What is technology to prevent global warming?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “5 tech innovations that could save us from climate change”, and the other was the website of “Future technology ‘cannot rescue’ mankind from climate change, say expert.”. From the first source, as I learned in question 25, innovation technology may save the earth from global warming. Power generation, transport, food, manufacturing, and building are very important when we prevent global warming from advancing. These are the main factor of emitting CO2, so we need to improve them right away. Because in this article solutions of global warming are explicitly mentioned, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I got to know that future technology would not save the earth from global warming, experts have said. No matter how hard we try to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, it is continua...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.25) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “What are international approaches to prevent global warming?”, I selected two sources, one was the blog website of “The Ultimate Approach for Global Warming”, and the other was the news website of “Global Warming Solution”. From the first source, I learned that if the current situation continues, global warming will be progressing. The normal global rise in which the ambient temperature usually rises several degrees will have a significant impact on the global climate. One solution is that fostering more use of organic foods is an efficient way to prevent global warming. Because this article provides us with information with four pictures, it was easy to understand the content of this article. From the second source, I learned that global warming is due to human influence, but human may save it by innovation technology. Other solution is an approach called "stabilization wedges". This m...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.24) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “Since when has global warming become a problem?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “Global Warming Timeline”, and the other was the website of “A brief history of climate change”. From the first source, I got to know that when First Industrial Revolution began, in the late 19 th century, CO2 emissions started to increase earnestly because of coal, railroads and land cleaning. When Second Industrial Revolution started, other factors, such as fertilizer and other chemicals, electricity and public health accelerate growth. Because this chronology was written based on the fact of the past, I can trust the information provided. In the second source, I learned that British ironmonger invented the first steam engine, and that time is a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, so we can also say that at this time, global warming began to appear. As BBC, which is famous British public broadcas...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.23 ) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “What is the country with the highest carbon dioxide emissions?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “The 5 Countries That Produce the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and the other was the website of “Each Country’s Share of CO2 Emissions.”. From the first source, I learned that China is the country that emits carbon dioxide the most. The very cause of CO2 emissions is coal burning which accounts for about 66% of the total energy in China. However, China tries to plan to decrease the use of coal and pollution in the air by using renewable energy sources. Because the world rank of emitting CO2 is written in order and explain the details of each country, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I got to know each country’s share of CO2 emissions as of 2015. China has the largest CO2 emissions, 28% of total share, followed by the U.S., India, Russia, Japan, Germany, Sout...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.22) Posted by Junya When we try to answer the question “What is the effect on Japan?”, I selected two sources, one was the news website of “Global warming could make typhoons 20 percent larger.”  and the other was the news website of “Global warming hits Japan’s cherry blossom season.”. From the first source, I got to know that global warming will be responsible for the organization of powerful typhoons which are 20 percent bigger that present ones by the end of 21st century. Since typhoons come to Japan from summer to autumn every year, typhoons will have a tremendous impact on Japan. Although what is written in this article is based on the prediction from recent status, the Japan Meteorological Agency is also alerting similar things. Therefore, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, Japan’s cherry blossom season gets faster because of rising temperatures. Regarding this year, cherry blossoms bloomed about 9 days ea...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.21) Posted by Junya When we try to answer the question “What is the effect on our food?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “Global Warming Effects on Food.” and the other was the website of “Climate impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply.”. From the first source, I l earned that there are threads of global warming to food production. For example, yields are reduced, irrigation is increased and fisheries are reduced. In any cases, it works negatively on agriculture. Because effects on our food are written in order and based on recent state of things, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I learned that global warming can affect food security and prevent food availability, decrease access to food and have an influence on food quality. Impacts on food supply will be very large because food shortage can contribute to global crisis and national security concerns. Because all the information supplied in this article ...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.19) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “How serious is the effect of global warming?”, I selected two sources, one was the summarized website of “Global Warming Impacts” and the other was the news website of “Effects of Global Warming”. From the first source, I learned that there are many effects of global warming and it’s already having negative influence on our communities, our health and our climate. For example, more frequent and intense heat waves and an increase in extreme weather events are occurring. As in this summer (2018), it is possible that hot days will continue in the future because of global warming. Since there are a lot of pictures used in this article, and effects of global warming are explicitly mentioned, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I got to know that the earth is already suffering from some impacts of global warming, but there are other effects that global warming hasn’t had on...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.18) Posted by Junya When we try to answer the question “Why does CO2 increase?”, I chose two sources, one was the website of “What is causing the increase in atmospheric CO2?” and the other was news website of “What human activities increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?” From the first source, I learned that in the climate myth, CO2 increase is natural, not human-caused. However, not only nature but also human are responsible for the emissions of carbon dioxide. There are a lot of causes that humans are responsible for. According to a scientist, there is between a 95% and 100% probability that modern global warming is due to human beings. Because in this article, in comparison with generally believed myth, what scientists says is emphasized, and there are conceivable causes in order, I can trust the information provided.  From the second source, I learned consuming electricity, transportation, building and deforestation are the very causes o...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.17) Posted by Junya I’m going to answer the question “What is the cause of global warming?”. Then I selected two sources, one was the website of “GLOBAL WARMING EFFECTS AND CAUSES: A TOP 10 LIST” and the other was the news website of “Causes of Global Warming”. From the first source, I learned that there are many causes of global warming. The most significant cause of global warming is carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel burning power plants and burning gasoline for transportation. Our increasing use of electricity from power plants and increasing use of car from burning gasoline for driving emits fair amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Except for carbon dioxide, methane emissions from animals and agriculture, deforestation and increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands are very serious cause of global warming. From the second source, I got to know that humans are responsible for the cause of global warming because humans ...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.16) Posted by Junya In trying to answer the question “Is global warming progressing in the future?”, I selected two sources, one was the article website of “The Acceleration of Global Warming” and the other was the news website of “Global warming never paused and could soon accelerate, warns Nasa scientist”. From the first source, I found out that recently, a level of CO2 has been dangerous. Although a safer level of CO2 in the atmosphere is around 350 parts per million(ppm), we have never fell below 400ppm of carbon dioxide. This fact is a hazardous indication when we grow up and especially when our children grow up. If this present trend continues, global warming is processing in the future because a level of carbon dioxide is one of the biggest cause of global warming. Because past and present and future are connected in this article, the article is put in correct order, so I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I discov...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.20) Posted by Junya When we try to answer the question “What is the effect on sea surface elevation?”, I selected two sources, one was the website of “SCIENCE CONNECTION BETWEEN SEA LEVEL RISE AND GLOBAL WARMING”, and the other was the website of “Sea Level Rise”. From the first source, I learned that global warming is the significant cause of current sea surface elevation and this trend will continue in the future. Since temperatures are rising, at the same time oceans are warming and ice is melting. As a result, sea level is rising these days. Because there are lot of pictures used in this article and the details are written with descriptive explanation, I can trust the information provided. From the second source, I found out that as sea level has risen recently, even a small rise of sea surface can have devastating effects on coastal habitats. When sea water enters the interior, it can have a lot of damage such as erosion flooding and soil co...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.13-No.15) Posted by Aoi Q13. Can creatures adapt to the effect of global warming? A13. As you know, global warming affects not only humans but also animals. So, many species on earth are now exposed to the severe environment. I’ll tell you how animals survive and adapt to the new environment. There are mainly two ways for animals to keep on living. The first way is to move to a new land. It’s becoming hotter and hotter now, so some animals like pikas started to look for a new habitat. They are moving to a northern area to find a comfortable place for them. This way is not an adaption, but I think that it’s also a reasonable way because they don’t need to change their lifestyle rapidly. And, the second way is to adapt themselves to a new environment. This is a main content of this question. Take insects and birds, for example. The temperature of the world is getting higher and higher, so the period of four seasons are affected more or less. Thus, i...

Answers to the 15 questions (NO.9-No.12) Posted by Aoi Q9. Can we delay global warming? A9. The articles said “Yes”. If we make a great effort, we might be able to even stop global warming. It should be required to pay attention to 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Especially, cutting emissions is very effective. I wondered what I could do after I read the articles. When I wash my face, I sometimes keep water running. When I leave my room, I don’t turn off the light. These are the waste of resources, so I thought that I should use resources more frugally. As for Reuse, I thought it was a good idea to use my own chopsticks as much as possible. In Japan, we often use wooden chopsticks, which are called “Waribashi”. Every time we buy some food at a convenience store, we get them. That is very wasteful. So, I’ll try to use less “Waribashi”. Finally as for Recycle, I have to pay more attention to the separating and sorting of garbage. Some garbage is difficult to distinguish, so I’ll chec...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.5-No.8) Posted by Aoi Q5. Do Japanese people really care about global warming? A5.    The answer is ‘‘Yes’’. Japan has gone through a lot of natural disasters ever, so the elderly tell young people how dangerous climate change is. Actually, young people also experienced a big earthquake recently, which is called Higashinihon Daishinsai. If people are educated well, they get to pay attention to the environment and understand what they should do. Education is a good way to avoid global warming. However, the prevalence of it is not enough yet. According to a research, only 60 percent of young people care about the environment. That number is 15 percent lower than old people. Japan still has a lot of things to improve, but I hope everyone in Japan will be eco-friendly. This information came from The New York Times. It is very famous worldwide, so I used information from it. And another one said a similar thing, so I thought I could fully rely o...

Answers to the 15 questions (No.1-No.4) Posted by Aoi Q1. Which area is damaged most seriously? A1.  The article which I chose was written in 2018 and 2009, so I thought I could compare the old situation with the current situation and get the latest information. Both article mentioned the same phenomenon which was caused by global warming. That’s why I thought I could rely on these articles. According to the research, Oceanian area was one of the most damaged areas in the world. Great Barrier Reef is the biggest victim caused by global warming in that area. Rising temperatures affect not only lands but also the sea. And, the coral reef is severely damaged by hot water. Hot water also prevents plankton from combining with the coral. That’s why they die of the shortage of nutrition. The process is called bleaching. Global warming affects all over the world and the situation dramatically changes soon, so even scientists cannot grasp which area is the worst now. They just predict t...