The discussion below is intended for The Australian since it will help in facilitating the debate and also enable this discussion to reach various people. I have chosen this media because its’ target audience comprises the general public. This discussion is targeted to reach the general public and also the government.
Are human beings liable for climate change?
Human beings are liable for climate change
In my opinion, I think human beings are liable for climate change because humans significantly interact with the environment and their activities have led to the increase of greenhouse gas concentration within the atmosphere whereby then causes global warming and ultimately results in climate change. Actually, the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, nitrous oxide as well as methane concentration started to increase about 200 years ago. The carbon dioxide concentration has significantly risen from 280 parts per million in the early days before 1800 to 39 parts per million by 2013. It is evident from this historical concentration of greenhouse gas has been caused by an amalgamation of modern measurements as well as evaluation of ancient air bubbles within the polar ice. Essentially, sovereign measurements have shown that the increase of carbon dioxide gas within the atmosphere arises from burning fossil fuels as well as forests. This is substantial evidence to show that human beings are liable for climate change. In fact, the United States National Academy of Sciences has reported that the isotopic configuration of carbon from sources such as fossil fuels has a unique carbon fingerprint. Additionally, as time goes by humans have made technological advancements leading to increased industrialization. This has increased the release of greenhouse gasses causing an increase in global temperatures. This is evident due to the fact that the average global temperatures have risen by approximately 0.7ºC since the pre-industrial era. Half of the global warming has occurred in the past two decades. Therefore, the most quantitative as well as internally reliable elucidation of the cause of climate change is the exponential greenhouse impact due to the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which results from various human activities. From this perspective, it is clear that human beings are liable for climate change.
Another human activity that significantly shows that humans are liable for climate change is the methane produced through human triggers such as mining and cattle rearing. Actually, in the course of the mining process, methane gases produced from the minerals being mined are trapped underneath the earth. Moreover, cattle rearing by humans also trigger methane production since cattle emit methane in the form of manure. Therefore, since humans are the triggers of the production of methane gas which causes climate change, it makes them liable for climate change. Deforestation is another human trigger causing climate change. Humans are clearing forests and cutting down trees for economic purposes. These trees and forests are very important in the hydrological cycle and balancing climatic conditions. The increased deforestation that has occurred has led to increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere due to the decreased number of trees to efficiently absorb carbon dioxide. Therefore, the increased concentration of carbon dioxide will lead to global warming triggering climate change.
Human beings are not liable for climate change
Alternatively, human beings are not liable for climate change because recent climate change has been caused by natural fluctuations. Carbon dioxide does not only emerge from human activities, but it also emerges from natural sources such as volcanoes and also animals, and other living organisms which exhale carbon dioxide. Human activities do not have the capacity of having an effect on the concentration of carbon dioxide worldwide. The fact is that natural processes release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and as well remove it. This balance has been able to maintain the carbon dioxide concentration at the desired level. However, the increased fluctuation of natural processes has led to more carbon dioxide emissions exceeding the capacity of the natural processes to balance the carbon dioxide concentration. Moreover, scientists have reported that global climate fluctuation has occurred over the history of Earth for both unknown reasons and for internal variability within the climate system. The climate has undergone significant fluctuations over geologic time because of natural processes. These natural resources have been associated with specific processes mostly internal oscillations. Several main climatic changes can be drawn from the Earth’s orbit changes. Others have been linked to a particular phenomenon like supercontinent breakups or the effect of the comet which significantly resulted in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration. For instance, a certain survey undertaken by Purdue University in 2012 found that about 47% of climatologists are against the idea that human beings are mainly accountable for climate change. 37 % of climatologists believe that global warming is not only triggered by anthropogenic activities but also cause by the environment. Their assumption is that climate change results from the combination of both anthropogenic activities and environmental fluxions. 5 % of them perceive that climate change solely results from the environment, particularly through nature fluctuations. The remaining 5 % claimed that there is not enough information to make a stand.
Several scientists have claimed that climate change is triggered by natural activities like volcanic eruptions. Essentially, volcanic eruptions release a large quantity of carbon dioxide together with ash into the earth’s atmosphere. As a result, it leads to an increased concentration of carbon dioxide gas within the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse gas concentrations leading to increased temperature on the surface of the earth as the greenhouse gases trap the solar ration from the earth. Additionally, the volcanic eruption also triggers a cooling effect on the earth’s surface. Actually, during a volcanic eruption, large amounts of Sulphur dioxide, ash, water vapor as well as dust are also emitted into the environment. Research shows that despite that a volcanic eruption occurs only for some days, the impact lasts for a long time as it will affect the climatic pattern for several years triggering varying climatic changes. The emitted Sulphur dioxide will ascend to the atmosphere reaching the uppermost level while the tiny particles, ash as well as dust will blockade sun rays preventing a sufficient amount of sunshine to reach the earth leading to a cooling effect on the atmosphere. This is due to the situation whereby the sunlight bounces since back into the atmosphere since it has been blocked by the dust and the tiny particles thus cooling the earth’s atmosphere.
Another natural cause of climate change is ocean currents. Essentially, the ocean is a main component in the climate system and covers a bigger part of the earth. Literally, it covers approximately 71% of the surface of the earth, therefore, absorbing a bigger ratio of the sun’s radiation which exceeds by twice the amount of the land surface and the atmosphere. Winds at the ocean normally push water horizontally against the surface of the ocean thus triggering ocean current patterns. Moreover, oceans also contribute to increased carbon dioxide concentration. Actually, the alterations in the ocean currents’ circulation definitely impact the climate by moving carbon dioxide form into as well as out of the earth’s atmosphere.
Additionally, the changes in the earth’s orbit also trigger climate change. Basically, the earth revolves around the orbit once every year, and supposes a tilt occurs as it evolves in its orbit the earth will not experience weather seasons. Seasons and weather partners will change. For instance, the normal seasons will be interrupted such that the time that summer usually occurs will change and may turn out to be the winter season. Long rainy seasons may turn out to be dry seasons characterized by long and persistent droughts. Or even experience warmer summers or colder winters.
Are genetically modified foods good for human health?
Genetically modified foods are good for human health
From my perspective, genetically modified foods are appropriate for human health since they are genetically engineered to address the issues of malnutrition among humans which has been a big problem by creating nutritionally enriched food through genetic engineering. Genetically modified foods were invented in order to address both the issue of food shortages and malnutrition. Every genetically modified crop is genetically engineered to a certain specific nutritional value to humans. Ideally, genetically modified foods are genetically engineered to improve the nutrient content that is required in the human body. Essentially, genetically modified foods are critically modified and assessed to ensure that they address the issue of malnutrition. Given that these genetically modified foods are invented to provide additional nutritional value to humans’ bodies, it is therefore essential to consume genetically modified food because they have specific nutrients that one can identify from the list of ingredients provided in their containers. These foods too are critically analyzed and tested before being released to the public to ensure that it meets the health standards for humans. For instance, genetically modified plants with improvised traits designed for the improvement of health as well as nutrition include maize which has vitamin c as added content; potatoes added with insulin and increased levels of calcium; rice with increased iron as well as coffee beans having declined amount of caffeine. This is a clear indication that genetically modified food has nutritional value to human health and does not cause harm to humans. A certain study was conducted which analyzed the nutrient as well as mineral contents of the genetically modified green pepper along with a natural pepper. The research results showed that there were no substantial differences between the two. Specifically, there were no big differences in protein as well as energy levels. Moreover, both had minerals which include; zinc, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Based on the results obtained from this research, I can openly support that genetically modified food is perfect and healthy for human consumption because it has a nutrient composition equivalent to other unmodified foods.
Food is important to human survival. In my view, I believe that genetically modified foods significantly contribute to the well-being of human beings by ensuring highly nutritious food is readily available and making the food supply predictable and reliable. Many countries especially third-world countries have been facing hunger strikes leading to malnourishment and unpredicted food supply. Basically, naturally produced food takes longer to be produced and is highly affected by weather conditions thus making their food supply unpredictable leading to food shortages leading to hunger and lack of nutritional value in human bodies resulting in malnutrition among them. Therefore, genetically modified foods are designed to address these issues. They are produced quickly, have essential nutritional value, are reliable, and also last long without perishing. Therefore, this makes genetically modified food appropriate for human consumption. Genetically modified foods provide reliable and high nutritional benefits to humans since they are always available due to their resistance to perishability and also due to their ability to be produced faster. I would definitely recommend the intake of genetically modified foods, especially to those at threat of food security issues.
Genetically modified foods are unhealthy for human consumption
On the other hand, I think genetically modified foods pose health risks to human beings. Despite having nutritional value to human health, the nutrient content added to these genetically modified foods is toxic since the nutrients added tend to be a lot exceeding the required amount. These end up being toxic which is harmful to humans. A number of human diseases have been linked to having been caused by the consumption of genetically modified food. Certain research on the acute toxicity of Flavr Savr, a genetically modified tomato was conducted by FDA using rats in order to find out the toxicity of the genetically modified food. An effect was noted in the genetically modified-fed groups while the control group did not show any effect. It was concluded that the stomach of the rats was eroded experiencing necrotic lesions by the genetically modified food and later died after some weeks. Genetically modified foods have been linked to causing obesity among human beings who consume these foods. Actually, human population studies have depicted that obesity has caused obesity among a lot of people globally. This is because the intake of genetically modified food has increased due to the prevalent production of genetically modified food globally with the intent to address the issue of food security. Obesity has further led to increased cases of heart-related diseases such as heart attacks. This demonstrates that genetically modified foods tend to be very toxic and detrimental to human health.
A certain biologist called Stephen Nottingham undertook certain experimental trials to explain the health risks of genetically modified foods on humans. He explains that unique ecological risks have been linked with virus-prone genetically modified food posing a health risk to people. However, he asserts that genetically modified foods tend to be unlikely to pose direct risks to people’s health. But, research suggests that genetically modified foods may cause allergic reactions, and also there is a possibility of the bacteria within the human gut might acquire resistance to antibiotics for the marker genes within the transgenic plants. The development of such resistance to antibiotics is very critical to human health and can lead to more health complications that will lead to the deterioration of an individual’s immune system. The development of resistance to antibiotics caused by genetically modified food in human bodies is very dangerous and can lead to chronic diseases or death. A rising number of allergic reaction cases which have been suspected to have been caused by genetically modified food have drawn attention to more research on whether genetically modified food causes allergic reactions. For instance, in the 1990s, some researchers carried out a study on the genetically modified soybean which was genetically engineered to have protein obtained from Brazil nuts. As per the report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, they found that genetically modified soybeans actually trigger allergic reactions among human beings having Brazil nut allergies. As a result, the soybeans were confiscated and were never released to be sold in the market to any consumer due to their proven allergic reactions. Drawing from the findings from this study, I strongly believe that genetically modified foods tend to be unhealthy for human health and should be avoided at all costs.
I also believe that genetically foods are carcinogenic and probably cause cancer in humans. I have heard a lot of people complaining about genetically modified foods that have carcinogenic traits that can cause cancer. Actually, the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal examined whether genetically modified foods are carcinogenic to humans. Particularly, the assumption is linked to the herbicide Roundup as well as Roundup-tolerated genetically modified corn because of cancer as well as premature death in rats. It was determined that the rats that consumed the genetically modified corn were prone to cancer as they succumbed to it within a short time. The research results are positive that genetically modified foods can cause cancer.