Filed under: 3.Effects of Global Warming
Consequences for human beings:
Global warming is a dangerous threat to us, earthlings. There have been cases of deaths due to climate change. A study by sciencetists at the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that 154 000 people die every years due to effects of global warming. From malaria to malnutrition to people dying of heat wave when temperature climed above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. These numbers could almost double by 2020.
Agricultural yields could be modified; zones where carriers of diseases such as cholera and malaria are present could be extended. Many growing populations living in tropical zones could be particularly impacted by climate change. Other populations could be displaced as a result of rising sea levels. Peoples could also see their way of life modified, like the Inuits of Kuujjuaq (Northern Canada) whose mayor, Larry Watt, ordered air conditioners in June 2006 after temperatures reached 31 °C!
Climate change could “bring some health benefits”, such as lower cold-related mortality and greater crop yields in temperate zones, but these will be greatly outweighed by increased rates of other diseases.
Also there will be increasing storms and floods. Global Warming has increase precipitation, mostly in the form of heavy rainstorms. In a report issued in November, 1999 the Britain’s Meteorological Office warned that flooding in Asia and Southeast Asia would increase more than ninefold over the coming decades. Floods are already increasing worldwide.
Consequences for marine creatures and animals:
The damages done to animals and marine creature are as bad. Although coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of the ocean’s area, they are food to 25% of marine fish species. An example of coral reef bio-diversity are the reefs of the Florida Keys, which sustain 500 species of fish, more than 1700 species of mollusks, five species of sea turtles, and hundreds of species of sponges.
While investigating the widespread loss of Caribbean coral, Hernandez-Delgado found a colony of 800-year-old star coral — more than 13 feet high — that had just died in the waters off Puerto Rico.
“The prognosis is not good,” said biochemistry professor M. James Crabbe of the University of Luton near London. “If you want to see a coral reef, go now, because they just won’t survive in their current state.”
Coral bleaching is happening all over the world in many countries. Whenever coral is stressed by higher water temperatures, even only 2 or 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, it may expel the algae that nourishes it and gives the coral its color, thus coral bleaching. Coral usually recovers from bleaching, but it cannot survive the stress of constant warming waters. Second to rainforests in biodiversity of species, coral reefs have been called the rainforests of the sea.
Temperatures in the Antarctic and Arctic has increased significantly to the point that sea ice has diminished in the both regions. In the Arctic this has meant a decreased habitat for the polar bear.
The polar bear depends heavily on the capture of ringed seal, because this seal has a very heavy lipid layer. This fatty tissue is especially needed by the female, who banks on the energy stores for the winter when she gives birth to a couple of cubs.
The decreasing Arctic ice will vastly diminish the chances of polar bears capturing these seals, because the bears stalks seals using the seal’s breathing hole in the ice.
The polar bears around Hudson Bay number about 1200. In late fall they wait for the formation of sea ice to allow them to hunt seals. Nowadays ice melts off the Hudson Bay three weeks earlier, which means that much less time to pursue and feed on seal pups.
It also means they have that much less time to gorge on seals and increase their bodies’ fat stores. Compared to polar bears 20 years ago, the bears around Hudson Bay are 10% thinner and have 10% fewer cubs.
Melting sea ice is leaving greater and greater distances for polar bears to travel in their hunts for food. In December 2005, marine biologists reported that they found 4 polar bears drowned off the northern coast of Alaska last fall. They also described seeing more polar bears in the open sea, some as far as 60 miles offshore. They noted that 20% of bears seen in the area in September 2005 were in the water, while in previous years, records show that 4% of sighted bears were swimming.
Similar situations are happening to blue whales, gray wolf and woodland buffalo. How should we protect these mammals from extinction? Are they going to be the dinosaurs of tomorow? Save them while we still can. Do not wait till matters get worst, till then all the impact has been done, and whatever you do then can never change the fate of those animals.
Consequences for the climate:
Retreat of Glaciers
Melting of pack ice
Rise in average sea level
Frequent floods and droughts
Increases in extreme climate events such as hurricanes and cyclones
Some of these change have already started and can be traced back to global warming. In particular, this is the case with the melting of glaciers. These climate changes are clearly going to have consequences on the flora and fauna. It is forecast that a large number of species are in danger of disappearing.
Credits: http://www.planete-energies.com/content/7_11_6_the_consequences.html
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