Thi Bich Hanh (Hana) Trinh

Writing assignment

AEP4 Module A

The causes and effects of Global Warming

Nowadays, the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere named global
warming attracts the attention of the mass media. This phenomenon is caused by
some factors, and it might also has a significant effect on earths climate.

One of the particular reasons is air pollution as a result of the modernization process.
At the present time, thousands of trees are cut to build streets, houses and factories
due to human population density. Firstly, the huge number of cars increases
dramatically as much as the figure for roads, not to mention that the factories
generate energy by burning fossil fuels for electricity and transport, for example.
These human activities are responsible for the total release of exhaust fumes and
emissions which are attributable to greenhouse gases. Secondly, demands for
electric devices including air conditioners and water heaters can make the situations
worse. To illustrate, coal, which produces carbon dioxide as burning, accounts for
77% for electricity generation in Australia (WFF, 2008).

Another cause of global warming is agriculture. One of bad sides of farming is the
ruminants such as cows, pigs and chicken. The problem of these animals is that they
release methane which is a greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Unfortunately,
methane has a more considerable impact than carbon dioxide on the climate. For
example, if there is a comparison between a cow and a car about the release of
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it is obvious that the negative influence of
methane is 23 times higher than the influence of carbon dioxide (FAO, 2006). Also,
Page 1 | 4

Thi Bich Hanh (Hana) Trinh

Writing assignment

AEP4 Module A

the overconsumption of beef contributes to more greenhouse gas released because

there is very high level carbon dioxide production from cow compared to other farm
animals. (DEFRA, 2006). Moreover, unsustainable exploitation of tropical forests and
rain forests to make fields for livestock to graze. This leads to the emission of
greenhouse gases more into the air. Statistics shows that the proportion of
greenhouse gases which is emitted by agriculture is 18% (FAO, 2006).

As a result, one of the consequences of this worrying trend is that global warming
can start a new ice age. Some common views downplay the significant of global
warming by negating the return of the glaciers. The fact is, on the other hand, this
tendency actually rush the presence of a new Ice Age. The reason lies on the ocean
current named the Gulf Stream, which transfers warm and cold water from the UK,
north-west Europe and the Caribbean. Scientists predict that the existence of global
warming will weaken the process. In other words, some dramatic regions will be
cooling. About 14,600 years ago, a natural feature namely The Younger Dryas could
be a good example. (McGuire, 2003). But this is only a part of the scariest aspects of
the current changes. If global warming affects the movement of the Global
Thermohaline Circulation which is the main stream of the worldwide system of ocean
currents, there will be the disruption of Atlantic currents, bringing a harsh climate to
the entire planet. Furthermore, such models suggest that the earth may face the
rising temperature soon due to non-working the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt, which
is another name of the Global Thermohaline Circulation (McGuire, 2003)

Page 2 | 4

Thi Bich Hanh (Hana) Trinh

Writing assignment

AEP4 Module A

Last but not least, global warming has an adverse impact on humans life. Firstly,
some natural disasters such as earthquakes or droughts devastates many cities due
to rising sea levels, there is a high cost of infrastructure including the repair of homes
and transports. Unfortunately, crimes in society will rise considerably as a result of
hundreds of homeless people. Secondly, production levels cannot be maintained.
Thanks to climate changes, daily life might be disrupted such as delaying of trade
and energy production. Therefore, crops cannot be planted and harvested on farms.
Millions of people will die of starvation. Thirdly, the mass migration of climate
refugees could make wars happen worldwide. Finally, the expenses of dealing with
these issues seem to be more expensive than taking steps to reduce the effect of
global warming (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2011)

In conclusion, it is evident that there are several causes of global warming such as
agricultural and air pollution as well as a variety of negative effects including a new
Ice Age or enormous costs. This is a big problem for all countries, and all the
countries should take some measures urgently to tackle this issue.

References
Bill Mcguire 2003, Will global warming trigger a new ice age? , Guardian news and
Media Limited companies, viewed 10 march
2016<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2003/nov/13/comment.research>
Department for environmental food and rural affairs (DEFRA) 2006, Environmental
impacts of food production and consumption, Manchester, viewed 10 March 2016,
http://www.ifr.ac.uk/waste/Reports/DEFRAEnvironmental%20Impacts%20of
%20Food%20Production%20%20Consumption.pdf

Page 3 | 4

Thi Bich Hanh (Hana) Trinh

Writing assignment

AEP4 Module A

Food and agricultural organization of United Nations (FAO) 2006, Are cow the cause
of global warming? , Switzerland, viewed 10 March 2016
<http://timeforchange.org/are-cows-cause-of-global-warming-meat-methane-CO2>
Union of concerned Scientists 2011, Costs, Cambridge, viewed 10 March 2016,
<http://www.climatehotmap.org/global-warming-effects/economy.html>
WWF-Australia 2008, Where do Australias greenhouse gases come from?,
Australia, viewed 10 March 2016
<http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/global_warming_an
d_climate_change/science/global_warming_causes/>

Page 4 | 4