Global Warming and Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global Warming and Energy - Essay Example The global warming issue is divided by 1) spreading process, 2) spreading locations, and 3) principal causes. Global environmental issues include a wide range of environment related issues, such as, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, rain forest phenomenon, desertification, reduction of wildlife species, pollution problems in developing countries, water life pollution, hazardous wastes, etc. Among all of these issues, the global warming issue, which is caused due to the increased consumption of energy derived from the fossil fuels, draws an increasing attention of the whole world. Mechanisms of Global Warming Mechanism of Warming The surface of planets including Earth is heated by solar radiation energy, which is a visible light with short wavelength, whereas it is cooled by releasing energy, which is an infrared ray with long wavelength. The temperature of the planet surface is determined by the balance between the incoming and outgoing energies. A. Cooling Eff ect Not all solar rays that are radiated towards the earth reach the surface of the earth. There are substances around the earth that reflect the solar rays. The reflected radiation energy does not reach the surface of the earth. ... e are certain gases present in the atmosphere, which do not have the tendency to absorb the visible light with short wavelength, such as, solar radiation energy but they can absorb the infrared radiation with long wavelength, such as, the energy that is released from the earth. Once these gases absorb the released energy from the earth's surface, they re-radiate the energy in all directions. Some energy is directed upwards, whereas some energy is directed back towards the earth's surface. As a result, the temperature of the earth's surface starts increasing due to the energy which is directed towards the surface of the earth. Types of Greenhouse Gases The greenhouse gases which occur naturally include methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and ozone, whereas the artificial greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbon. Among these greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the type of gas, which contributes most to the issue of global warming. If we analyze the rate of emissions of the last decade, we find that the global warming caused due to carbon dioxide accounts for approximately seventy percent, which is really a great percentage. Before the industrial revolution, the greenhouse gas concentration was relatively stable, but when the world’s population started to increase rapidly along with industrialization and agricultural modernization, the greenhouse gas concentration increased up to a great extent. Japan's Carbon Dioxide Emissions Since the first oil crisis, which occurred in 1973, Japan's carbon dioxide emissions had remained unchanged until the mid 1980s. Then, due to strong economic growth during the bubble period and the low energy cost, it faced an upward trend. Thereafter, the increase rate became slow, but in 2008, 1187 million tons

Portugal Perspective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Portugal Perspective - Essay Example As a result of this kind of enlargement, democracy has been improved and Europe has become more secure. Portugal agrees with European Union enlargement, which has allowed other member countries like Iceland and Turkey to join. Kaiser & Elver (2006) add that when the Union met in Copenhagen, it invited 10 member countries to join the European Union. Portugal thinks that the Union was not only increasing its population and geographical size, but putting an end to the split in the continent which had separated the free world from the communist bloc. Additionally, it emphasizes that the EU enlargement has moral and political dimensions. This process enabled countries like Turkey, Hungary, Iceland, and Poland, which are European countries not only geographically but in their aspirations, culture and history, to join the European Union. As a result, the countries are now partners of EU project. Turkey is NATO member having a long-standing association with the European Union. It has been ap plying for membership since 1987, but its history, political situation and geographical location made the Union hesitate for a longtime before accepting the application. It was until recently that it negotiated with Turkey and at the same time entered into an agreement with another country. Morelli (2011) emphasizes that there are legal requirements that exists for any European country to become a member. The European integration means to make the candidate’s economic and political process open to other European countries, as well as readiness to sign their treaties. Normally, for countries to qualify as members of the Union, they must have a stable institution that guarantees rule of law, democracy, respect for minorities and human rights. Additionally, European enlargement will have a functioning capacity and economy with market forces and competitive pressure in the Union, as well as the ability to take on membership obligation and aims of the Union. The countries undergoi ng negotiations normally receive European Aid, which makes it easier for those countries to catch up with others economically. Sajdik & Schwarzinger (2008) contend that the enlargement of the Union cost a package of 4 billion for funding newcomer’s projects in order to help them fulfill their obligations. Portuguese, therefore, think that when European Union expands its territories, the member states will ensure that the Union is enlarged and as a result it will work democratically and efficiently. This process makes it clear that Europeans have a number of concerns on its identity, as well as the entire EU. Therefore, there are no possible answers as for Turkey, Iceland and other countries’ disputable entry into EU. This is because each country views its economic and geopolitical interests differently. Their entry also raises status question of such countries like Armenia and Georgia. They have fulfilled the European request, but still they are not members of EU since their public opinion is against joining (Claude, 2004). Advantages of the enlargement for Portugal and European economy As for Portugal experience and perspectives, some advantages of the enlargement for Portugal economy and European economy that appear to be relevant are the following: to start with, the economy of Portugal benefited when it joined EU; as a result, it has promoted structural changes and macroeconomic stability in the country. It is also a