Nature

Global warming has been on the rise for the past several years. It is caused by the massive increase of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and ozone, in the atmosphere due to burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Fuel used in cars, heating up-systems in our houses with fuel derived from coal, leads to the trapping of gases in the atmosphere. The Arctic region is the most affected part of the earth. As Global warming expands, arctic ice masses begin to melt and fresh water turns to salty water which changes the circulation pattern of oceans .This causes the sea level to rise and loss of land. Furthermore, the world is losing drinkable water as global warming continues. The Arctic continues to warm at a rate about twice as fast as rest of the world. Habitants of the arctic have also noticed the changes in the arctic environment that has affected wildlife, humans and the surroundings.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of global warming on the arctic region. First, the paper will focus on mw general facts of global warming, and will provide a glimpse of the causes. Secondly, the paper will focus on the role of carbon dioxide in melting the arctic ice and also subsequent rise in sea levels. Finally, this paper will attempt to offer solutions on how to reduce carbon dioxide and create more oxygen to prevent global warming

1. General Facts about Global Warming
 
1.1 Global Warming
Greenhouse Gases
   Greenhouse gases are defined as chemical compounds that contribute to the  HYPERLINK httpwww.eoearth.orgarticleGreenhouse_effect o Greenhouse effect greenhouse effect (Reay, 2007). Carbon-dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone in lower atmosphere, halocarbons especially chlorofluorocarbons and aerosols are the primary greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases allow entry of sunlight into the atmosphere to warm the earths surface. However, they prevent heat rays, reflected back from the surface, from leaving the atmosphere. Thus, greenhouses gases result in entrapment of heat in the lower atmosphere of the earth (Reay, 2007). Since the onset of industrial revolution, concentrations of greenhouse gases have been rising at alarming rates. Increased concentrations of these gases result in rising global warming.
 
1.2. Causes of Global Warming
     A. Emission of Fossil Fuels
     Fossil fuels are mineral fuels obtained from anaerobic decomposition of prehistoric plants and animals. Coal, natural gas, petroleum and its byproducts make up the fossil fuels. Extraction, transportation and burning of fossil fuels are responsible for emissions of several greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. Research indicated that 75 percent of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere results from burning of fossil fuels, especially coal (Cheetham, 2009). Fossil fuel burning emits carbon into the atmosphere, which reacts with oxygen to produce the most important greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel burning is also responsible for increasing concentration of nitrous oxides. Extraction and transportation of fossil fuels, including coal mining, oil drilling and leaky gas pipelines release methane.
Deforestation
   
 Deforestation connotes a clearing of forested land through an overcutting of tress and clearing of land (Shipman, Wilson,  Todd, 2007). Trees absorb carbon dioxide and have a cooling effect on the atmosphere. With continual destruction of trees, fewer carbon dioxide emissions are absorbed. As a result, larger quantities of the greenhouse gas remain in the atmosphere trapping greater amounts of heat. Deforestation lowers natures ability to absorb carbon dioxide and accounts for around 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions (Cheetham, 2009).

2. Recent Changes
  
 2.1. Climate Changes
Increase in Temperature
          Global warming has been leading to consistent increases in average temperature of the earths surface. According to a study undertaken by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (Karl et al., 2006), temperature on the earths surface and the troposphere has been on the rise in the past few decades. Earths surface has been repeatedly warming since 1958 with the pace of warming increasing since 1979. Researchers found that global-average temperature rose by 0.12 C per decade since 1958 and by 0.16 C per decade post 1979. In tropical regions temperature rise of 0.11 C was recorded since 1958 and 0.13 C since 1979. Study also revealed that tropospheric warming has been greater than surface warming from 1958 till 2005. Global-average tropospheric temperatures have been increasing by 0.14 C from 1958 and between 0.10-0.20  C since 1979. Tropical temperatures have risen by 0.13C per decade since 1958, and between 0.02C and 0.19C per decade since 1979. The research study built on the IPCC and NRC assessment reports on climate change induced by global warming. Global temperatures are expected to rise over the next century.
 
2.2 Arctic Ice is Melting
Sea Level is Rising
     A number of scientific studies confirm, probing the impact of global warming on the Arctic, confirm that its ice is melting causing a rise in sea level. According to a NASA study under Josefino C. Comiso (2003), the Arctic has significantly warmed since 1980, causing biggest temperature hikes in North America. Researchers have anticipated that melting of Arctic ice and rise in its sea level are affected by global warming. Comiso found that Arctic warming in the last two decades was eight times the warming in the last century. Further, Global warming affected different Arctic regions in different ways. Although it has led to a warming of majority of regions in the Arctic, places like Greenland have been cooling. In totality, Arctic temperatures over sea ice are rising at the rate of 1.22o C per decade (Jenner, 2003). The results of the study were found to be consistent with previously NASA-funded studies, such as the research conducted by Mark C. Serreze, a scientist at the University of Colorado, in 2002. Mark found that Arctic summer sea ice reached its lowest level in summer of 2002. Lowering of Arctic ice and rise in sea level have been continuing and worsening over the years. According to Mark Serreze, we have not seen a recovery we really see we are reinforcing that general downward trend (Jenner, 2003). Sea level rise and increase in ocean water create more open water. This implies more open water which, in turn, increases absorption solar energy facilitating greater warming of oceans and faster melting of ice (Jenner, 2003).
Concerns of Flooding
   
Rise in sea and ocean levels is creating pertinent flood threat in the region. Research indicates that even rise of a few inches in ocean levels can wreak havoc on coastal towns, cities and ecosystems (Jenner, 2003). Continual threats of ocean level rise are creating severe concerns about flooding of coastal regions, and destruction of coastal habitats.

3. Preventing Global Warming on the Arctic
 
3.1 Recycle and Reuse
Recycling of Waste can Lower Pollution
Recycling helps to reduce pollution in the atmosphere. Research indicates that recycling of paper products can lower water pollution by 35 percent. More importantly, in the context of global warming, recycling can facilitate a 73 percent reduction in air pollution (Bonenberger, 2010). Lesser amounts of nitrous oxides and chlorofluorocarbons, in addition, to lower levels of carbon dioxide can effectively lower global warming and prevent future warming. Recycling of steel has been found to lower water pollutants by 76 percent, mining wastes by 97 percent and air pollutants by 86 percent (Bonenberger, 2010). Recycling and reusing of materials can greatly regulate levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and lessen the intensity and hastening pace of global warming.
 
3.2 Protect and Preserve Forest
Planting of trees
     When deforestation imposes a problem, afforestation or planting of more tress constitutes the solution. Steps must be taken to protect and preserve forests and prevent illegitimate destruction of forested regions. Planting of more trees increases natures absorptive capacity of carbon dioxide (Shipman, Wilson,  Todd, 2007). With more absorption, smaller will be the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide and lesser the global heating effect it generates. Thus, to counter the damage induced by deforestation, more trees must be planted to absorb excess quantities of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and curtail global warming.

4. Recommendations
 
4.1 Reduce Carbon Dioxide
Use Alternate Forms of Energy
     To lower global warming and curtail its malefic effects, it is recommended that carbon dioxide emission be reduced. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere can be lowered by substitution of carbonaceous fuels by alternative forms of energy. Alternative forms of energy comprise energy sources other than fossil fuels and nuclear fuels (Shipman, Wilson,  Todd, 2007, p. 90). Majority of alternative forms of energy are also renewable, sources that cannot be exhausted (Shipman, Wilson,  Todd, 2007, p. 90). Solar energy should be used to lower atmospheric carbon dioxide. Sun is the primary source of energy on earth. Solar energy can be channeled through photovoltaic cells and used for heating, cooling and lighting buildings, for generating electricity, and heating water among other industrial processes (Shipman, Wilson,  Todd, 2007, p. 91). A second alternative form of energy that should be substituted for fossil fuels is hydropower or energy harnessed from downstream flow of water. Hydropower is presently used for electricity generation. It is recommended that other alternative energy sources such as wind energy, geothermal energy or energy harnessed from geothermal hotspots and tidal energy, biomass and bio-fuels, be exploited and used as substitutes for fossil fuels to lower atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.
 Alternative Transportation
   
Alternative transport constitutes a second solution for lowering carbon dioxide emissions. The transportation sector accounts for a sizeable amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Alternative transportation not only helps to reduce pollution by limiting carbon dioxide release but also lowers congestion and changes of crashes and life-changing injuries (Nace, 2009). Modes of alternative transportation include bicycles, electric vehicles or vehicles rely on electric motors for propulsion, hybrid vehicles using on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and flexible fuel vehicles that can alternate between two sources of energy (Nace, 2009). Light electric vehicles, motorized bicycles, Para-transit, plugged-in hybrid vehicles and zero emissions vehicles constitute other alternative transportation options (Nace, 2009). Finally, use of public transport is also recommended to assist in reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.