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Pol203; Climate Change: Reality and Human Activity

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Pol203; Climate Change: Reality and Human Activity
Global Climate Change:
Reality and Human Impact
POL203 Position Paper

M. Sharaput
November 14th, 2012
Climate change is a widely discussed topic in recent history. It has been a topic of debate amongst educators, activists, and politicians. The debates have varied from its impact, importance, and existence. Environmental justice advocates have lobbied for change to be implemented to combat the impacts climate change. Organizations such as 350 (named after the targeted PPM for safe atmospheric CO2 levels) and Artic2007 serve as grassroots movements to bring awareness and change on climate change. Organizations such as the Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen Climate Council provide a larger, global-level of awareness in climate change. Whether large or small scale, there have been a consistent effort in attempting to prevent and adapt to the effects of global climate change.

Though, efforts have been made to bring awareness to peoples’ minds, its effectiveness is questionable. This is partly due to contrasting views on climate change. Varying perceptions lead to debates and polarizing points of views.
Views range from the cause of climate change, in terms of whether or not it is caused by human activity or a natural phenomenon; downplay of its importance; and even its denial of existence. Such conflicting views have made it difficult to create a unifying point-of-view on the topic.

Despite the amount of research and evidence that has been brought forth on the subject of climate change, there are still individuals and politicians that do not stress the causes and effects of climate change. This barrier has lead to menial importance amongst political agendas. Part of the reason is the question as to whether or not human activity is the cause of climate change. More specifically, whether or not greenhouse gases produced by human consumption is a leading factor. This essay will argue that climate change is no longer disputable in terms of existence;



Cited: ·Antonio, R. J., & Brulle, R. J. (2011). THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF POLITICS: Climate Change Denial and Political Polarization. The Sociological Quarterly, 52(2), 195-202. Retrieved November 12, 2012, from the Wiley Online Library database. Causes - Climate Change. (n.d.). NASA. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from climate.nasa.gov/causes/ Climate Change: Effects. (n.d.). NASA. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/ Glick, D. (n.d.). Global Climate Change, Melting Glaciers - National Geographic. National Geographic. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/#page=2 Liu, Q., Yang, X., & Wang, M. (2004). A Review of Research on Human Activity Induced Climate Change. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 21(3), 314-321. Retrieved November 12, 2012, from the ProQuest database. Lynas, M. (2009, April 19). Climate change explained - the impact of temperature rises | Environment | The Guardian . The Guardian. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/14/climate-change-environment-temperature Randerson, J. (2008, August 7). Climate change: Prepare for global temperature rise of 4C, warns top scientist | Environment | The Guardian . The Guardian. Retrieved November 20, 2012, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/06/climatechange.scienceofclimatechange

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