Literature Review

Global Warming is an ever increasing crisis on our planet. The causes are many, as well as the effects. The solutions are frighteningly few and far in between compared with how much damage we are doing. I’m not going to go through the old song and dance telling how Global Warming works and the Greenhouse effect. Instead, I will give you a few of effects of Global Warming showing up in our lives today. Scientists are in agreement, and few tend to dispute the fact that the planet is changing. The real question now is how much longer we can continue to ignore this problem before something terrible happens and everyone decides to vote on something. Still, there’s no reason to blame anyone for our current situation. Internal combustion engines were one of the greatest inventions of the 19^th century (next to steam engines). Gas used to be a crude waste product created during the production of kerosene. It ended up being a great way to power pretty much anything. A high return of energy for a minimal amount of energy exhausted. Not only that, but it is still cheaper in many cases to own a gas powered car. They are still being used everywhere. Automobile manufacturers aren’t switching to electric cars or some other energy source; they are still coming out with brand new models of gas powered cars every year. Gas is running out, but it’s not out yet, not by a long shot. There will be gasoline to power things into the foreseeable future, and it’s hard to know really how much time we have left. All we know is that for now gas isn’t going away. Unless we figure out a different way to combat the CO2 we are putting into the atmosphere by burning gas. Other than planting trees and hoping everything will turn out okay. We will have to start adjusting to life using gas as a last resort or to a minimum level. Otherwise everything that has been happening, and is now beyond our control, will continue to happen. We will lose the rest of the ice on the planet; air will have increasing amounts of CO2 in it and less oxygen, yadda yadda, etcetera etcetera. We won’t live to see it, but human beings will. What will they think of the people who allowed our planet to die? My project will cover the main reasons why addressing global warming has not been a top priority for us, our government, and others around the world. Some major questions asked will be what can we really do to make the most impact in reducing our carbon footprint? What is going to stand in our way? What are just a few direct effects of Global Warming causing problems today? It may be that there are just not enough ways to limit the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere at this time. The least we can do is make an effort to reduce and try to eventually reverse this process for future generations to build on, revise, and resolve. At least, that’s the gift each generation gives to the next. The world, full of its newest struggles and impasses, is handed to us. We all hold faith that the next generation won’t give up and will be better than the last in some way. Sources for this project center mostly on sea level rise, changing wind patterns, green technology today, and the resistance to change.

Many sources cover sea level rise. For instance, Sujatha Byravan and colleagues, “Sea level rise and climate change exiles: A possible solution “from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists from 2015. This article talks about sea level rise and the displacement of people from low-lying areas into higher ground. It speculates their reception by other countries and the laws in place to deal with exiles. This will be interesting because immigration is such a hot topic, especially now with the war in Syria. I will use this article to try to describe what the course of events will be to displaced refugees as a result of rising sea level. Another source in this category is, "Sea level rise, storm risk, denial, and the future of coastal cities," by Jacob, Klaus H. from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists from 2015. In this article Klaus explains how the events of Hurricane Sandy are a precursor of what is to come. With sea level rising and hurricanes becoming more frequent with warmer waters, we must prepare all coastal cities for a tragedy of such magnitude. Many structures and homes vital to our survival exist close to water, too close for comfort. If we are not prepared for future occurrences we may be setting ourselves up for failure. I found this article especially interesting because the author has already accepted these increasing events inevitable as a result of Global Warming. He is now focusing on how to improvise, adapt, and overcome the changing climate. At least, for the time being. I will use this source partly to emphasize what some people believe about Global Warming as opposed to others. Some people deny it, some accept it, and many simply do not know enough, or do not care. Also on the topic of flooding and sea level rise, I have included an article by Jennifer Howard-Grenville and colleagues. "Climate Change and Management." From the Academy of Management from 2014. The article talks about how climate change may impact the management industry. Social impacts of ocean acidification, and coastal flooding. Transformation of global economy and warnings about climate change issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It has several graphs and lots of temperature data collected on the Earth’s surface. I will use this article to show another example of effects of Global Warming as well as another author who has accepted Climate Change as fact and is now preparing to do the best they can to prepare for the current situation.

            Many of my sources contained studies of wind patterns and changing weather currents effecting precipitation. Thomas Delworth and associates created, "A Link between the Hiatus in Global Warming and North American Drought." Published in Journal of Climate in 2015. This source looks at the Pacific Easterly wind patterns as the main cause of North American drought and the causes for the change in wind pattern.This suggests that not only is our drought caused by rising temperature, but specifically, it is an effect of ocean warming which changes the planets well established air currents. To illustate the preceding article I will use, "Changes in Independency between Two Types of El Niño Events under a Greenhouse Warming Scenario in CMIP5 Models," by Yoo-Geun Ham and cohorts published in 2015 by the Journal of Climate. This article observes changes in the areas around the globe receiving precipitation as a result of changing ocean temperatures and wind patterns. Especially in the western Pacific, which would certainly be affecting our precipitation levels here in the western United States. It shows increasing eastward extension of climatological precipitation to the central-eastern Pacific. As well as increased precipitation near the equator in the Pacific. This contrasts the common misconception that precipitation around the globe has decreased, in fact, the change in the ocean temperature has moved precipitation elsewhere. I will use this source to relate the lack of precipitation in the western United States lately to a change in the wind patterns on Earth. Moving on to show affected areas outside the United States I can use an article by Beate G Liepert and his colleagues. The article is titled, "Global warming, the atmospheric brown cloud, and the changing Indian summer monsoon." Published in 2015 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This article investigates current wind patterns as the reason for the lack of monsoons lately which India depends on for its rivers, aquifers, and temperature regulation. It also compares India’s brown cloud caused by pollution which contributes greatly to the lack of precipitation, possibly more so than changing air currents. There was an article published by the Journal of Climate which studied one of our neighbors also. "Ensemble Projections of Regional Climatic Changes over Ontario, Canada," by Xiuquan Wang and collaborators. This article contains data collected from 1950 until present day to predict changes in temperature and precipitation in parts of Canada up to 2099. This will certainly affect Americans, especially those living in the mid-west, who experience vast extremes of temperature from summer to winter as a result of cold air either moving south through the US or not. Precipitation as well as temperature are expected to increase drastically in the next 30 years. I will use this source to highlight the changes in precipitation and temperature that our close neighbors are currently experiencing and have been taking data samples of for over 50 years. It will also be nice to use their predictions for the next 100 years based on the data they have already collected. Another article published in the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies in 2015 is titled, "Characteristics of Drought Disaster-Causing Factor Anomalies in Southwestern and Southern China against the Background of Global Warming." This study was done by Jinsong Wang and his associates. It is a good contrast between drought in North America, and China. This article includes climate observations of 129 meteorological stations in southwestern and southern China from 1961 to 2012. The effect of this article being observations made in China can help drive home the point that envirnonmental change is occuring everywhere, and that is what I will focus on with this article. My next article is titled, “Improving Climate Change Detection through Optimal Seasonal Averaging: The Case of the North Atlantic Jet and European Precipitation.” Was a study done by Giuseppe Zappa and colleagues and published in 2015 by the Journal of Climate. This article examines the changing weather patterns and how this impacts the accurate detection of climate Change. It suggests that the change can be more accurately measured when considering the affect that Climate Change has had on the seasons. The North Atlantic jet is extending eastward into Europe because of ocean warming. This source contains many maps and weather patterns. I will use this source along with the others I have compiled on changing weather patterns to try to summarize the change for us now and in the near future. Another article I have collected on this subject is titled, "Estimating the Response of Extreme Precipitation over Midlatitude Mountains to Global Warming." This article was published in 2015 by the Journal of Climate. The study was done by Xiaoming Shi and peers. The data compiled in this article observes an increase in the amount of precipitation on mountains in this area, and a shift from snow to more rain. The fact that this area is receiving more precipitation than normal while others are receiving less should help convince readers that wind currents really are changing. I will use this article to articulate a circumstance of a place on Earth differing from other regions which are losing precipitation by showing one that is receiving increased precipitation. To study some affects this has on plant life I am using the article, “Climate Change and Crop Exposure to Adverse Weather: Changes to Frost Risk and Grapevine Flowering Conditions.” This study was done by Jonathan R Mosedale and associates in 2015, and was published by the Public Library of Science. This article examines the effects of Climate Change on grape vineyards. The warmer weather is beneficial to the grapes. However, the risk of late spring frosts could be devastating. Since Global Warming is making it increasingly more difficult to predict the weather, especially for predictions into the far future. It is becoming more and more important to get information for predicting weather patterns that are as accurate as possible. I will use this article along with the others that refer to changes in plant ecology to drive home the point that nothing about our planet is safe from changing as a result of warming. It is especially scary when it affects our food sources. My last Article on the subject of wind patterns also includes studies into effects on plants. "Regional Variations in Potential Plant Habitat Changes in Response to Multiple Global Warming Scenarios." Published in the Journal of Climate in 2015, this study was done by Chang-Eui Park and cohorts. I will use this article in order to compare regions of changing ecology, plant life, and precipitation migration. Concentrations of certain types of plant life around the globe will change in response to changing precipitation patterns. This source examines global vegetation and habitat changes in the near future, and ones which are drastically changing at the moment. Africa, for example, is predicted to change its habitat 10% by 2028. This poses a problem to areas that people have occupied for a long period of time. Gathering food, finding water, and other resources. It will also pose a threat to animals, especially those that cannot adapt to the new environment.

            My next topic will be green energy. The benefits and drawbacks to modern Americans and businesses, as well as citizens of other countries. Eleanor Denny and colleagues did a study on this subject in 2015 published in the Economists’ Voice. The title is, "Hurry or Wait - The Pros and Cons of Going Fast or Slow on Climate Change." This source examines the pros and cons of switching modern companies over to green standards. That is green energy, de-carbonization, and investments in new technology. It considers the cost of transferring to a green company in the long and short term, contrasting the price of new technology now with the impact of waiting until costs lower to convert to green energy. I will use this source to highlight some common problems, and solutions for businesses and people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. I found an interesting article promoting carbon reduction techniques with a reward system. “Climate change, cash transfers and health,” is an article published by the Bulletin of the World Health Organization in 2015 on a study done by Frank Pega and his fellow collaborators. This article suggests using our current Climate Change related disasters cash transfer relief program and tweaking it for a more proactive approach. Instead of giving cash transfers to people only when something bad happens and they are in need of compensation, it suggests using this cash transfer program to reward people for engaging in carbon reduction activities. This can be taking a bike to work instead of driving. Providing a cash transfer to communities that decide to move themselves out of harm’s way from Climate Change deterring requirement for compensation in the future as a result of a lost home or investments. Still primarily on the topic of green energy, but bleeding into relation to lack of public green energy response I found an article titled, “The road to climate hell.” Published in New Scientist in 2015 on a study done by Robert Gifford. This article discusses reasons for humanity’s lack of response to Global Warming threat. Argues that the human brain has not evolved to take action on events that threaten us gradually or are in the distant future. Covers cost of electric cars and economic concerns. Also goes over conformation bias, uncertainty, and ignorance about Climate Change. I will use this source to address some concerns that average people have as well as again trying to gauge the peoples understating and general stance on Global Warming currently.

My next topic centers mainly on lack of response to the Global Warming threat globally and some reasons humans have reacted the way we have so far. Karen M Douglas and associates did an interesting article in this genre titled, “Climate change: Why the conspiracy theories are dangerous.” The article was published in 2015 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This article looks at some Climate change conspiracy theories, what they argue, and what they may have in common. Many theories against Global Warming are contentious and seem to be politically based and divided across the left-right wing spectrum. These theories are dangerous because they misinform and distract from the reality of Global Warming. I will use this article to try to show some reasons why people believe these theories, and what their argument is. “The road to climate hell.” Published in New Scientist in 2015 on a study done by Robert Gifford will be great on this topic as well as being a good source on the topic of green energy. This article discusses reasons for humanity’s lack of response to Global Warming threat. Argues that the human brain has not evolved to take action on events that threaten us gradually or are in the distant future. Covers cost of electric cars and economic concerns. Also goes over conformation bias, uncertainty, and ignorance about Climate Change. I will use this source to address some concerns that average people have as well as again trying to gauge the peoples understating and general stance on Global Warming currently. Similarly, Maurice Lineman and his co-workers did a study which produced the article, "Talking about Climate Change and Global Warming." Published in 2015 by the Public Library of Science. The article looks at public opinion and sentiment about Global Warming by using Social Networks to enhance development of social consciousness. Facebook, twitter, and other social networks are used as well as commonly searched terms on Google relating to the subject. It has graphs and tables of data collected as well as measured surface temperature increase. It is a common topic for debate whether people are not thorouhgly educated about climate change, or if the general public just chooses not to think about it. I will be using this source in my paper to asses how much knowledge the general population has about Global Warming. The next article I am using is called, "A Quantitative Definition of Global Warming Hiatus and 50-Year Prediction of Global-Mean Surface Temperature." Published by the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences in 2015 on a study done by Meng Wei and his partners. The authors of this journal investigate the planets normal warming and cooling periods taking into account the warming period we are currently in and comparing it with those in the past. They talkabout the steady warming our planet is experiencing as a result of carbon emissions and the greenhouse effect. One piece of evidence many Climate Change disputers use is the fact that the Earth is currently in a natural warming period. This source provides evidence that the warming period alone is not enough to explain the rise in temperature we are experiencing. This last point is the part of the article I am going to use to argue against the misconception that Global Warming is a farce because the Earth naturally warms and cools. My last article in this section is titled, "Poll Finds Global Warming is a Serious Concern to Hispanics and an Important Issue in Presidential Election." Published by the Franklin Business & Law Journal in 2015 on a study done by Jim Hellegaard. This is a strange article since it follows a trend in Hispanics concerned about Global Warming. The part that was especially interesting to me was that the author was suggesting that Global Warming may be an actual factor in the election this year, which has not happened yet. Global Warming has not been a concern in past elections. I will use the statistics in this study to give an example of Global Warming in politics as a factor. This may be a good comparison for readers to start thinking about their own views regarding Global Warming and to reconsider their stance in the election based on this factor instead of the ones that the candidates choose which skirt this subject. (i.e. Immigration, taxes, budget spending, national debt, insulting each other, talking about things nobody really cares about.

            My final article is a subject which is estranged from my other articles except for the fact that it is directly related to Global Warming. “Global Warming: News, Facts, Causes & Effects,” is an article published in 2014 by LiveScience. This resource has several articles on different aspects of global warming. Including west coast forest fires, how hot oceans are killing coral, and melting sea ice to name a few. It will be great to use this resource for current events and studies. Also, to relate the western forest fires with Global Warming and describe the affects of forest fires on Global Warming.