The adverse effects of global warming:
Over
last 10000 years temperature remained remarkably stable across the
globe, changing by little more than 2 degree Fahrenheit on an average.
Even during the ‘Little Ice Age’, which lasted from the 1300 AD to 1850
AD, which resulted advancing of glaciers, average temperatures were
little more than 2 degree Fahrenheit. The effects of global warming
could change average temperatures five times as much as little ice age
did – though in the opposite direction. Over the next century, the rate
of the effects of global warming should follow a steep upward curve.
The
adverse effects of global warming are enormous. The effects are already
being felt on our planet, on human life, plants and animals worldwide. The predicted effects of global warming
on the environment and for human life are numerous and varied. It is
generally difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term
causes, even though, some effects of recent climate changes already we
are witnessing; rising sea levels, glacier retreat, arctic shrinkage,
and altered patterns of agriculture are cited as direct consequences.
Among secondary and regional effects extreme weather events, expansion
of tropical diseases, changes in the timing of seasonal patterns in
ecosystems, and drastic economic impact are predicted.
Major adverse effects of global warming are listed below:
1. Polar ice caps melting - The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger.
(a)
It will raise sea levels. There are more than 5,773,000 cubic miles of
water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. According to the
National Snow and Ice Data Center,
if all glaciers melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet. This
may not happen at once; but sea level will rise certainly and
consequently, low lying areas will be submerged.
(b)
Melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The
ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the
ocean, or in plain English - make it less salty. The desalinization of
the gulf current will distort ocean currents, which regulate
temperatures. It will give very confusing and irregular pattern of
cooling and warming effects in some areas.
(c)
Temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will
endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will
survive.
(d)
Global warming will certainly reduce ice caps substantially. Ice caps
are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into
space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector
is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the earth.
2. Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves - Although
some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other
areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive
the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a scarce commodity in Africa, and global warming will worsen the conditions.
3. Warmer waters and more hurricanes - As the temperature of oceans rise, so will the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes.
4. Spread of disease - As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them.
5. Economic consequences - Most of the effects of global warming will not be good. These effects bring economic consequences badly for almost all the countries of the world
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