Omar Hamada

Global Warming
(1) Label each of the following sections of the introduction using these titles:

Thesis statement – background information – general attractive/ alarming statement – essay outline

(-general attractive/ alarming statement -) Recently, a catastrophic scientific phenomenon began

to appear and expand on Earth putting the lives of many organisms together with their surroundings at risk.

In fact, this phenomenon threatens the safety and balance of the whole planet and thus requires detailed

researches and fast reactions. (--background information --) Global warming, as scientists name it, is one

calamitous phenomenon that created a sense of horror between scientists in the last few centuries as it places

the lives and habitats of people at risk. Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s

atmosphere and oceans which started in the late 19th century. This phenomenon could be described as an

environmental disaster that alters the biological balance of the world and affects many global resources from

both the human perspective and the biological one. Various solutions were previously implemented with no

obvious impact on the problem. However, a new solution and process under the name of “geoengineering”

was introduced by the Carnegie Institution in the beginning of the 21st century where modification of the

earth’s atmosphere is to occur to reduce global warming. (--essay outline --) Therefore, it is vital to study

the definition of global warming to be able to understand this phenomenon together with its causes and

effects and the various ways by which it could be solved. (--Thesis statement --) Frankly, geoengineering

is the most effective method of tackling the problem as it provides a cheaper and faster route of addressing

the problem with results that will remain for the longest time possible.

(2) A. What are the causes of global warming as stated in the following paragraph? How are

they explained?

B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

Many factors cause global warming to occur and increase over the years. The weapon that global

warming uses to change the climate is greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides and Commented [K1]: Cause 1

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water vapor (Venkataramanan, 2011). The mechanism by which the heating process occurs is by the

absorption of the gases to the heat that arrives to the atmosphere and its slow reemission, thus; increasing the

average temperature over time (Founier, 2011). Therefore, it could be inferred that the causes of global

warming are the sources of greenhouse gases. The growth of the global population is the leading factor that

brings such dangerous gases. This increase in the human population proportionally alters the carbon dioxide

levels to the worse as it increases human activities such as respiration and plant consumption

(Venkataramanan, 2011). Moreover, the increase in population levels caused an industrial revolution to Commented [K2]: cause 2

emerge in order to satisfy the needs of people both economically and socially. Factories were built and

mechanical processes took place where environmental withdrawals were not put into consideration. The

emission of pollution from factory chimneys and the release of production waste incessantly increased the

greenhouse gases concentration, thus; enhancing global warming (Masih, 2010). The industrial revolution

also led to the buildup of greenhouse gases as the working processes needed raw materials to get started and

hence the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation took place. Consequently, the percentage of

greenhouse gases in the air increased due to the cutting of plants and forests that used to consume the gases

and the release of toxic gases from the burning processes.

(3) A. What are the effects of global warming as stated in the following paragraph? How are

they explained?

B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

Global warming is thought to have many effects on organisms and their environment. Statistically, a

full 100% increase in the strength and duration of hurricanes has occurred since the late 1970s due to the Commented [K3]: effect 1

increased emission of carbon dioxide (Fournier, 2011). The National Climactic Data Centre approximated

the damages of such hurricanes to be nearly $100 billion which reflect consequential economic dilemmas as

residuals of global warming. Furthermore, powerful hurricanes automatically lead to the degradation of

fertile land and the dehydration of its underground water which signifies the upcoming of desertification

(Fournier, 2011). As a result, the worldwide levels of agricultural outputs would greatly decrease as the Commented [K4]: effect 2

amount of suitable land for farming would now be much less. Accordingly, the insufficient food supplies

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would directly lead the organisms living on the degraded lands to migrate to other places where they can

ensure sustainable levels of food. However, failure in migration may cause the extinction of certain species Commented [K5]: effect 3

due to their inability of adapting to the environmental changes formed. Researchers projected that a

percentage of 15-37% of plants and animals face the risk of becoming extinct by the year 2050 which

reflects how global warming affects biodiversity (MIT, 2008). In addition to this, the increase in climate over

time causes the polar ice caps to melt which will lead to floods and tsunamis. The melting down of the poles

will also raise the sea levels and desalinate its water which directly affects the water supplies of the world Commented [K6]: effect 4

(Masih, 2010). Therefore, it is required that fast solutions be implemented to avoid all those consequences.

(4) A. What is the main idea of this paragraph? How is it presented, supported and

evaluated?

B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

Solutions have been previously suggested and implemented to solve the problem of global warming. Commented [K7]: main idea of the paragraph

One of the solutions that scientists reached was known as “adaptation”. The process of adaptation required Commented [K8]: first solution that did not work well

the change in people’s own styles of living and a change in their habits to adjust to the changes in the

environment (Fournier, 2011). For example, adaptation encouraged people to depend on non-marine

organisms for their nutrition to save the endangered marine species from becoming extinct due to the

changes that occur in the oceans and seas. At first, adaptation seemed a reasonable solution as it was very

cheap and needed few researches before implementation and thus less effort (Ralston, 2009). However,

adaptation later proved itself ineffective as people did not respond fully to the scientists’ calls and no

significant change has been seen. Moreover, updated researches discovered that there is a gap between the

rate by which the climate changes and the rate by which adaptation is fully implemented and so the

dependence on such a solution was impossible (Oreskes, 2010). As a result, scientists began to research for a

more effective solution that could save the world from global warming.

(5) A. What is the main idea of this paragraph? How is it presented, supported and

evaluated?

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B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

The second solution that scientists reached was a process named “mitigation”. The Intergovernmental Commented [K9]: main idea. the second solution that did not
work.
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes the process of mitigation as a set of activities that decrease the

amounts of greenhouse gases emitted and hence reduce the amount of future climate change (Fournier,

2011). For example, the reorganizing and rearranging of the energy employed in industry may lead to less

climatic changes as energy efficiency has now increased and thus gas emission is regulated. Furthermore, the

placement of strict laws that force factories to abide by the environmental ethics may lead to the hindering of

the global warming process. Mitigation was seen as a very suitable solution by scientists as it contained no

risk in it and no drawbacks could occur as a result of implementing it (Oreskes, 2010). Despite of this fact,

mitigation was not effective enough as its results could only be achieved in the log-term which does not

match with the importance of the problem. Besides, mitigation is a very expensive process that needs huge

amounts of money to implement (Oreskes, 2010). Therefore, mitigation was discarded as it was proved

ineffective and further researches for the best solution were carried.

(6) A. What is the main idea of this paragraph? How is it presented and supported?

B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

After detailed researches, scientists in the Carnegie Institution found an effective solution that has the

capability of overcoming global warming. Advances in technology enabled scientists to reach a process by

which full control on climate change can be achieved and with only natural weapons. “Geoengineering” is

the name of the process discovered and by which global warming can be stopped. Geoengineers aim at Commented [K10]: main idea. proposing and describing a
working solution
modifying the earth’s crust and atmosphere to reduce the increase in temperature over time (Buck, 2012).

This process is divided into two different categories. The first category is the removal of carbon dioxide from

the atmosphere and so the decrease of the amount of greenhouse gases available (Ralston, 2011). Wide-scale

tree planting and the fertilization of the oceans by spraying iron fillings are two examples of implementation

methods by which carbon dioxide is to be absorbed by the carbon sinks. The second category aims to

manage the solar radiation that reaches the atmosphere in order to reduce the heat absorbed by the

greenhouse gases (Buck, 2012). Projects are being prepared to use the spray of sea water to whiten the

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clouds which will reflect the heat away from the atmosphere. Moreover, space sunshades are under

development to cover the outmost layer of the atmosphere’s surface to increase solar radiation management,

an experiment that will prevent heat from penetrating the atmosphere. As a matter of fact, the process of

geoengineering signifies a sense of hope in solving global warming as its natural projects move in many

directions and provides very efficient results.

(7) A. What is the main idea of this paragraph? How is it presented and supported?

B. Circle the discourse markers / connecting words used and state their function.

C. Underline the persuasive techniques used and state their type.

Studies were carried to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of geoengineering and to decide on

whether to implement it or not. Throughout the studies and researches, geoengineering proved great Commented [K11]: main idea. evaluation of the proposed
working solution.
efficiency in case of its very low costs of implementation (Buck, 2012). A study that was carried by the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the year 2007 showed that the most efficiently designed Commented [K12]: logos / ethos

systems and techniques require only a few hundred millions of dollars per year to be implemented (Ralston,

2009). In addition, geoengineering could be directly implemented and the results will be directly observed

without the need of waiting for long periods of time before putting it into effect. Not only this, but

geoengineering was also proved by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to have the capability of Commented [K13]: logos / ethos

providing long-term solutions that will last for centuries before breaking down (Ralston, 2009). On the other

hand, critics of geoengineering showed great disappointment from the solution as they thought that such

processes conflict with religious teachings and that only God have the right to alter his creation. However, Commented [K14]: religious appeal

this opinion could be refuted as not implementing geoengineering may mean the collapse of the entire Commented [K15]: showing counterarguments and refute
them.
universe.

From a different perspective, comparing geoengineering to adaptation and mitigation proves the Commented [K16]: comparing this solution to previous
solutions
efficiency of this process. Whereas mitigation is expensive and requires long time to make a difference,

geoengineering is much cheaper and faster with better results. Besides, geongineering’s results are faster

than adaptation’s and it does not require the change in people’s lives to work which reflects more efficiency Commented [K17]: pathos

and professionalism. Therefore, it could be stated that geoengineering is the best of all solutions and its

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implementation is necessary. Accordingly, the cooperation of all countries to provide the required funds and

the suitable atmospheres of work is needed as well as the adoption of strong countries to the case in the less

developed ones (Masih, 2010). Moreover, to implement geoengineering scientists have to further calculate

the risks to ensure no losses and the success of the process. Commented [K18]: logos

(8) How is the conclusion structured? What is the final message of the essay?

In conclusion, global warming is an environmental phenomenon that puts the whole planet in jeopardy. Commented [K19]: showing the urgency of the problem

According to studies, it is only a matter of time before extinctions, floods, tsunamis, famines and droughts Commented [K20]: showing dangerous effects

become the main concern humanity and thus fast and serious reactions are required. As a matter of fact,

geoengineering provides a very suitable solution to the disaster as it is cheap, fast, and very efficient. This Commented [K21]: summarizing the reasons why the proposed
solution is the best one.
process could end the nightmare of global warming naturally within a short period of time without affecting

the lives of innocent people. Geoengineering outperforms all other solutions and reflects much better results. Commented [K22]: final message to the reader to take action
and support this solution.

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References

Buck, H. (2012). Geoengineering: Re-making Climate for Profit or Humanitarian Intervention?

Development and Change, 43(1): 253–270.

Fournier, J. (2011). Risks and Impacts of Global Warming. Delhi: The English Press. Retrieved from:
British University library database.

Masih, J. (2010). Causes and Consequences of Global Climate Change. Archives of Applied Science
Research, 2 (2): 100-108. Retrieved from: http://www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com

Oreskes, N. et. al (2010). Adaptation to Global Warming: Do Climate Models Tell Us What We Need
to Know? Philosophy of Science: 1012-1028.

Ralston, S. (2009). Engineering an Artful and Ethical Solution to the Problem of Global Warming.
Review of Policy Research, 26 (6): 821-837. Retrieved from: British University library database.

Venkataramanan, M. (2011). Causes and effects of global warming. Indian Journal of Science and
Technology, 4 (3): 226-229. Retrieved from: British University library database.

DOI: 0031-8248/2010/7705-0037

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7660.2011.01744