Greenhouse effect essay 500 words

Global Warming Essay

Instructions for Writing Global Warming Essay

Write a short opinion essay that clearly states where you stand on the issue of possible

human-caused global warming (and other climate changes) due to greenhouse gas emissions. The

expected length of the essay is 500 to 750 words, which is 2 to 3 pages using double spacing, 12

point Times New Roman font, and 1 inch margins. A suggested paragraph layout for an opinion

paper is provided below. The essay is due by August 8 at 11:59 pm Arizona Time. No credit will

be given after August 8 at 11:59 pm Arizona Time. Please read and study the course materials on

global warming and climate change before writing this paper. This includes reading pages through

“Global Warming Summary and Discussion.” You can write the paper any time after finishing the

reading pages on global warming and climate change.

Make sure you read and follow all the instructions provided on this assignment page

before writing your paper. You will need to consider the following general questions: Do you

think that human emissions of greenhouse gases are largely responsible for the recent, measured

increase in global average temperature (based on a thoughtful consideration of available

evidence)? Are you concerned about the possible consequences associated with increasing global

average temperature, e.g., sea level rise? For this question, it is possible to be concerned even if

you don’t believe that the warming is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases. Should

governments regulate companies and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Are you

willing to take personal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

The main idea of this essay is to express your opinion on the issue of possible climate

changes due to greenhouse gas emissions and the reasons that motivate your stance on the

issue. Your essay must address the five points/questions listed below. These items should be

incorporated into a concise and well-written essay, not randomly discussed. I will check that

you include each of these five items when grading your essay. The items need not be discussed

in the order listed below, but all must be included. For example, even if items 2 and 3 below

do not influence your opinion on this issue much, it is important that you mention them in your

paper because each is important to at least consider when forming an opinion.

You may wish to look over the two pages linked below this assignment in the D2L course

content section: “Global Warming summary sheet” and “Common attitudes toward global

warming” before beginning to write your essay.

1. Your attitude toward the human-caused global warming issue must be clearly stated as well as the main reasons for your attitude. You may use the "Common attitudes toward global

warming" link as a guide, but I want you to show me that you have thought about the issue.

You must express why you feel the way that you do in your own words, i.e., do not just copy

words or phrases from the common attitudes page. Be sure to state the most important reasons

for your personal opinion. These reasons need not be scientifically based, e.g., perhaps you are

most influenced by emotions.

2. Your interpretation of recent temperature changes measured on Earth. What do you make of the recently measured rise in global average temperatures, after 1900, but especially

since 1980? Do you believe the temperature increase is mainly due to the increase in

greenhouse gases? Or do you think it is a natural warming, not influenced much by

greenhouse gas increases? Or do you think it is some combination of natural warming

and greenhouse gas increases? I would like you to try to consider the recently measured rise

in global average temperature with respect to longer time scale estimates of changes in global

average temperature constructed from both measured and proxy records. Try to view the recent

increase in temperature in comparison to past changes in temperature in making your

interpretation.

3. Influence of the uncertainty concerning the possible connection between increasing greenhouse gases and measured warming over the last 100 years. At the moment we are

unable to say for sure how much, if any, of the recent warming of global average temperature

is due to increased greenhouse gases. We are also unable to predict precisely how climate will

change in the future if we continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. For the most

part we use computer models, global climate models, to make predictions of future climate

changes. While the models are good tools, the complexity of the climate system and our

limited understanding of climate processes make it impossible for climate models to provide

exact answers or predictions. How, if at all, does this uncertainty about the effects of

increased greenhouse gases on climate change influence your views about global warming

and what should be done?

4. Do you think governments should regulate corporations and individuals in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? If so, should they be radical changes or just minor changes? Consider that there will be costs involved (both dollar costs and comfort costs) in enacting any

policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most greenhouse emissions are related to

transportation and the generation of electricity from fossil fuels. So if you think governments

should force compliance, you need to realize that the immediate effects will probably be more

expensive and less convenient transportation (for both ground and air travel), loss of some

personal comforts that require energy, and reductions in productivity. Also keep in mind that

minor changes, which result in slight reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, will probably

have very little overall impact on reducing the potential climate changes … If the climate

model projections are correct, then to make a significant difference the world must make large

cuts in the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

5. Do you currently make personal choices or sacrifices based on concerns about global warming / climate change? What personal sacrifices, if any, would you be willing to make

based on concerns about global warming / climate change? Think about what personal

actions you would be willing to take for the purpose of reducing emissions. This does not mean

“I ride a bicycle because I cannot afford a car,” rather it means “I ride a bicycle because I am

worried about global warming and I do not want to add CO2 to the atmosphere.” Another

example, would you consider not taking a plane flight because you are worried about the

emission of greenhouse gases? This is not a choice made by many politicians or climate change

scientists. Honestly, doing things like turning off unnecessary lights or recycling your plastic

water bottles, will not make a huge impact in reducing emissions, although both are good

choices.

Of course, your opinions cannot be wrong, but you must clearly state the reasons for your

position. Remember that you are expected to specifically mention or discuss the 5 points listed

above within your essay. Obviously, the first point above must be clear to the reader. Your main

attitude should be stated in the introduction and the conclusion. The questions and issues contained

in points 2 – 5 must be thoughtfully addressed with the body of the paper. Provide your thoughts

on these questions and issues along with the reasons for your opinions. Your coverage of each item

need not be balanced, meaning you can concentrate more on points that shape your opinion. You

may also need to discuss other points that shape your opinion if not listed above.

You may wish to web search how to write an opinion essay before writing your paper. Here

are some general suggestions. The first paragraph should clearly state your opinion and a summary

of the main reasons for your opinion. Be up front. You should not be saving your main opinions

for later in the paper. In the body paragraphs you should expand on the reasons for your opinions

and provide more detail or arguments as needed. Make sure that you at least touch on all of the

required points listed above. The final paragraph should be a concluding paragraph in which you

restate your opinion and the main reasons for your opinion.

Your grade for this paper will be largely based on two items: (1) content, i.e., did you

include all the content described in the instructions? And (2) overall writing, i.e., how well is

your essay written? Your position should be clearly stated. The arguments or reasons that you

give in support of your position should be clear and concise. Any recommendations for action

should be consistent with your position. You should concentrate on ideas that shape your

opinion. Please do not provide both sides of each issue that you discuss. Discuss what you

personally believe and why you believe it, not why someone else may disagree with you. In

other words, I do not want you to go through all the possible interpretations of the

temperature record as was done in the reading, just concentrate on what influences your

view. Take your time and write a good essay. Your ideas need to be clear to the reader. There

should be a clear introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph that flow

together. There will be little tolerance for grammar, wording, and spelling errors. Because this is

an opinion paper, feel free to use the word “I” as necessary. Be concise. You are not required to

do any additional research outside of the material presented in the class readings, but feel free to

reference additional sources of information if you wish. If you do utilize reference material that

was not presented in the class reading, then you must include in-text citations and a bibliography. The essay is due by August 8 at 11:59 pm Arizona Time. No credit will be given after August 8 at

11:59 pm Arizona Time.