♁♁♁♁♁♁♁♁♁> Effects of Global Warming <♁♁♁♁♁♁♁♁♁
Photo - flood from rising sea level - by Gary Braasch
Global warming, caused by human technology and expansion, is destroying the planet. The effects of global warming are devastating to both human and animal populations around the world. An insecure food supply, increased frequency and intensity of storms and rapidly rising sea levels are just a few of the effects we have seen over the years caused by global warming.
Global warming does not occur evenly across the world. Temperature changes have been, and will be, much more extreme in the Arctic and Antarctic. A 5 degree Fahrenheit warming for the whole world means only 1 degree at the equator, but 12 degrees at the poles. Global temperatures have already risen over 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Seen and recorded around the world, global warming is causing glaciers to shrink, arctic ice recession, rising sea levels, flooding ( especially of coastal estuaries which kills wildlife ), increased inland and tropical storms, drought that has doubled since 1970, increased tornadoes, increased hurricanes, larger and more frequent fires, increased volcanic eruptions and the increase of earthquakes do to glacier movement. The volume of polar ice is half of what it was in 1950. All of this is a big impact on the ecosystems, human economy ( do to an unstable agriculture ) and the wildlife. The disruption of breeding and migration patterns for some species, along with the expansion of harmful insects past their normal range, has also been an effect of global warming. NOTE - PHOTOS AND LINKS ARE BELOW THIS ARTICLE.
Disease and other health problems are also on the rise due to global warming. Warmer temperatures along with associated floods and droughts are encouraging worldwide health threats by creating an environment where mosquitoes, ticks, mice and other disease-carrying creatures thrive. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that outbreaks of new or resurgent diseases are on the rise and in more disparate countries than ever before, including tropical illnesses in once cold climates -- such as mosquitoes infecting Canadians with West Nile virus. While more than 150,000 people die from climate change-related sickness each year, everything from heat-related heart and respiratory problems to malaria are on the rise. Cases of allergies and asthma are also increasing. How is hay fever related to global warming? Global warming fosters increased smog, which is linked to mounting instances of asthma attacks and also advances weed growth, a bane for allergy sufferers.
The costs associated with climate change rise along with the temperatures. Severe storms and floods combined with agricultural losses cause billions of dollars in damages, and money is needed to treat and control the spread of disease. Extreme weather can create extreme financial setbacks. For example, during the record-breaking hurricane year of 2005, Louisiana saw a 15 percent drop in income during the months following the storms, while property damage was estimated at $135 billion. Economic considerations reach into nearly every facet of our lives. Consumers face rising food and energy costs along with increased insurance premiums for health and home. Governments suffer the consequences of diminished tourism and industrial profits, soaring energy, food and water demands, disaster cleanup and border tensions.Species loss and endangerment is rising along with global temperatures. As many as 30 percent of plant and animal species alive today risk extinction by 2050 if average temperatures rise more than 2 to 11.5 degrees F (1.1 to 6.4 degrees C) [sources: EPA, Scientific American]. Such extinctions will be due to loss of habitat through desertification, deforestation and ocean warming, as well as the inability to adapt to climate warming. Wildlife researchers have noted some of the more resilient species migrating to the poles, far north and far south to maintain their needed habitat; the red fox, for example, normally an inhabitant of North America, is now seen living in the Arctic.
Humans also aren't immune to the threat. Desertification and rising sea levels threaten human habitats. When plants and animals are lost to climate change, human food, fuel and income are lost as well.
News > Click title > "Earth's Third Hottest Year in a Row on Record"
Global warming does not occur evenly across the world. Temperature changes have been, and will be, much more extreme in the Arctic and Antarctic. A 5 degree Fahrenheit warming for the whole world means only 1 degree at the equator, but 12 degrees at the poles. Global temperatures have already risen over 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Seen and recorded around the world, global warming is causing glaciers to shrink, arctic ice recession, rising sea levels, flooding ( especially of coastal estuaries which kills wildlife ), increased inland and tropical storms, drought that has doubled since 1970, increased tornadoes, increased hurricanes, larger and more frequent fires, increased volcanic eruptions and the increase of earthquakes do to glacier movement. The volume of polar ice is half of what it was in 1950. All of this is a big impact on the ecosystems, human economy ( do to an unstable agriculture ) and the wildlife. The disruption of breeding and migration patterns for some species, along with the expansion of harmful insects past their normal range, has also been an effect of global warming. NOTE - PHOTOS AND LINKS ARE BELOW THIS ARTICLE.
Disease and other health problems are also on the rise due to global warming. Warmer temperatures along with associated floods and droughts are encouraging worldwide health threats by creating an environment where mosquitoes, ticks, mice and other disease-carrying creatures thrive. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that outbreaks of new or resurgent diseases are on the rise and in more disparate countries than ever before, including tropical illnesses in once cold climates -- such as mosquitoes infecting Canadians with West Nile virus. While more than 150,000 people die from climate change-related sickness each year, everything from heat-related heart and respiratory problems to malaria are on the rise. Cases of allergies and asthma are also increasing. How is hay fever related to global warming? Global warming fosters increased smog, which is linked to mounting instances of asthma attacks and also advances weed growth, a bane for allergy sufferers.
The costs associated with climate change rise along with the temperatures. Severe storms and floods combined with agricultural losses cause billions of dollars in damages, and money is needed to treat and control the spread of disease. Extreme weather can create extreme financial setbacks. For example, during the record-breaking hurricane year of 2005, Louisiana saw a 15 percent drop in income during the months following the storms, while property damage was estimated at $135 billion. Economic considerations reach into nearly every facet of our lives. Consumers face rising food and energy costs along with increased insurance premiums for health and home. Governments suffer the consequences of diminished tourism and industrial profits, soaring energy, food and water demands, disaster cleanup and border tensions.Species loss and endangerment is rising along with global temperatures. As many as 30 percent of plant and animal species alive today risk extinction by 2050 if average temperatures rise more than 2 to 11.5 degrees F (1.1 to 6.4 degrees C) [sources: EPA, Scientific American]. Such extinctions will be due to loss of habitat through desertification, deforestation and ocean warming, as well as the inability to adapt to climate warming. Wildlife researchers have noted some of the more resilient species migrating to the poles, far north and far south to maintain their needed habitat; the red fox, for example, normally an inhabitant of North America, is now seen living in the Arctic.
Humans also aren't immune to the threat. Desertification and rising sea levels threaten human habitats. When plants and animals are lost to climate change, human food, fuel and income are lost as well.
News > Click title > "Earth's Third Hottest Year in a Row on Record"
{{{{{ Below are More Photos Showing the Results of Global Warming }}}}}
Melting GlaciersMelting Polar Ice CapsHimalayan Valley with Melting GlaciersIncreasing WildfiresStronger & More Frequent StormsIncreasing EarthquakesLoss of Biodiversity |
Bleached, Dead CoralIncreasing and Longer DroughtsIncreasing Floods WorldwideMore Tornadoes & ThunderstormsRising Sea Levels Causing FloodingIncreasing Volcanic EruptionsIncreased Spread of Disease |