Essay About Potential Effects Of Green House Gases And Reduction Of Carbon Footprint

Mitigation of Climate Change
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Lubna Malik 3/17/2011
Mitigation of Global Climate Change
White Paper
Compiled by
Lubna Malik
March, 2011
Lubna Malik 3/17/2011
Table of Contents
Lubna Malik Page 1 3/17/2011
Abstract
Strategies that mitigate climate change resulting from increasing concentration of greenhouse
gas emissions while promoting sustainable and equitable development are needed to be taken
rapidly and immediately by countries world-wide.. They will need to be continuously adapted
so as to overcome the numerous barriers and threats that remain in implementing actions to
mitigate for climate change. To ensure sustainable development for the vast majority in the
world, local management of resources is crucial.
Introduction
Carbon is a common element that is a basic and essential building block of all life on Earth.
Carbon dioxide, along with methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons and ozone is a green
house gas (GHG). This means that CO2 interacts with infra-red radiation in a way that raises, to
some extent, the temperature of the earth. The earth will remain at a constant temperature
only if there is enough balance between the amount of energy arriving and amount of energy
leaving. Simultaneously, we have experienced increased fuel efficiency reducing earths
capacity to sequester (hold) carbon. The net result is that the increasing levels of carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing more heat to be captured, raising
temperatures on Earth.
The ultimate goal of this white paper is to identify most effective and efficient policy option for
reduction of carbon footprint. This paper identifies the additional problems such as the
potential effects of green house gas emissions on climate, descriptions of strategies for
managing carbon footprint and voluntary programs that EWS-WWF can engage and initiate
awareness for reduction of carbon footprint and thereby mitigation of climatic change
Potential Effects of Green house gases on Climate
Strengthening of the greenhouse effect through human activities is known as the enhanced (or
anthropogenic) greenhouse effect. This increase in radiative forcing from human activity is
attributable mainly to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Because it is a greenhouse
gas, elevated CO2 levels contribute to additional absorption and emission of thermal infrared in
the atmosphere, which produce net warming.
One of the most significant sources of water degradation results from an increase in water
temperature. The increase in water temperatures can lead to a bloom