Global warming is a big problem in today’s world and its hindering the quality of life for every species. It affects their habitats and environments. Temperature rises and changing landscapes in the arctic circle are endangering several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive. If we fail to cut back on the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, scientists say during the 21st century earth could warm up to an additional 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first initial problem is ice caps melting which causes a rise in sea levels. There are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in permanent snow, glaciers, and ice caps. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet. Melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will make the oceans less salty. The desalinization of the sea water will mess with currents, which regulate tem peratures. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth. The only reflector is the ocean if the ice caps melt. This is a problem because darker colors absorb sunlight, therefore warming the Earth even more. Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Droughts are expected in Europe, but Africa will receive the worst effects. Water is already very scare in Africa, and according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming will worsen the conditions and could lead to war and conflicts.
Worse yet, Global Warming has other effects on the health of humans. The rise in temperature will re...
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...ensive, inconvenient and nuclear power is dangerous. Our idea for a possible solution is to not use aerosol cans. They emit harmful chemicals that deplete the ozone. The pro’s for this idea is that it will help save the earth. The disadvantages for not using aerosol cans anymore is that many people use them for everyday activities and would be hard to find substitutes.
If we were in the government we would choose to plant trees because this idea would be much less expensive and inconvenient as not using aerosol cans. Planting trees would also be an easier project to start than putting up expensive solar panels and windmills. This solution we think would be the best to implement but it would also have a down side because there is no room for any trees to be planted. Since many are being cut down for the construction of businesses, houses, roads, etc.
The effects of global warming on earth's ecosystems are expected to deepen. The rise in temperature had made the life very difficult for many animal and plant species. Some common warning signs can be seen today. A recent study shows that changes due to global warming compel many animal species to migrate at a higher altitude. Some polar bears in arctic side are drowning because they have to swim longer distances to reach ice floes. In California, shoreline, sea life is moving towards north, as a result of warm water and change in
The areas that would become warmer, like Canada, do not have appropriate soil for growing crops. Lower water levels in lakes and streams would concentrate pollutants. Weather patterns may change with hurricanes probably hitting the coast farther north and with greater ferocity. Warmer temperatures would increase the volume of water in the oceans and possibly melt much of the ice in mountain glaciers and the Arctic and Antarctic ice caps ( Figure 2 ). This would cause sea level to rise, causing flooding of the world's coastal cities, where one-third of the world's population lives. Scientists learned is that there are several greenhouse gases responsible for warming, and humans emit them in a variety of ways. Most come from the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production. http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/climatebasics.asp
Environmental climate change, “a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due toan increase in the average atmospheric temperature,” can be directly linked human causation ("Climate Change," 2017). A jaw-dropping 51 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions are a direct result of animal agriculture (Peta, 2017). The importance of global warming is not to be underestimated. Trees are blooming sooner than in the past causing their buds to die in a late winter freeze, glaciers are shrinking, and ice is breaking up on bodies of water or not forming at all. In the past scientists have predicted the loss of sea ice and more intense heat waves which are all occurring today. Scientists are certain that global temperatures will continue to increase. ("The Consequences," 2017). Subsequently, gas emissions have major effects on the planet and can be linked directly to animal
First of all, as the water temperatures rise, coral bleaching becomes possible and when it becomes too hot, algae is released from the corals, making them fully white. Another consequence of global warming is an increase in droughts. When the temperature is increased for a period of time, the amount of water decreases as wind pressures do the opposite, causing droughts all over the world. Furthermore, when water vapor condenses due to the heat, the surrounding air warms as well, causing hurricanes. As the temperature rises so does the length and strength of the hurricanes. Sea level rising is a consequence that is caused by warmer oceans and the melting of land covered in ice, both primarily caused by global warming. The ocean and atmosphere work side by side and if one’s temperature rises so does the other’s. The ocean temperature continues to rise and the amount of water vapor in oceans increase too as a consequence of global warming. Last but not least, ocean acidification, is the final consequence of global warming in this list. As carbon dioxide levels rise in the atmosphere, pH levels reduce in the ocean, causing ocean acidification and death of fish along with
One such outcome would be the possibility of sea levels rising to new heights, or as Denchak (2016) explains, “It’s estimated our oceans will be one to four feet higher, threatening coastal systems and low-lying areas” (para. 10). Another possible negative effect would be a drastic decrease in the earth’s albedo. Scientific experts define albedo as “a measure of how well the earth’s surface reflects sunlight” (Carbon Brief Staff, 2013, para. 3). Additionally, they say that “snow-covered sea ice has a high albedo and reflects 85 [percent] of sunlight. But the open water revealed as ice melts is darker and absorbs more – reflecting just 7 [percent]” (Carbon Brief Staff, 2013, para. 3). This means that as more ice melts, more heat will be absorbed by the ocean, greatly increasing the total temperature of the oceans overtime. Circulation of the oceans’ currents can also be altered from extra seawater added by melting polar ice. Harvey (2015) goes further in detail on the impact of ice on the currents by
The effects of global warming touch every human, animal, plant, ocean, landmass, and atmosphere level on this planet. The numerous effects of global warming are mixes of "good" and "bad" results, depending on how your definition of "good" results and "bad" results are. A "good" effect, a person could say, would be for regions with normally cold temperatures to receive warmer temperatures for their normal. Yet, there are more "bad" effects that seem to out weight the "good" effects. Some of the effects would include increases of flooding, severe storm systems, and rising sea-levels. One major consequence would be an increase of temperature globally. This would give a chain reaction that would change temperatures and precipitation within many ecosystems. Which could cause a possible alteration in migration routes of various animals or produce permanent damage to creatures and their habitats, or worse, result in extinction for sensitive organisms that cannot handle the change. An example of a sensitive organism is the coral reef. This vital creature serves as a home, feeding area, and shelter for many fish, plants, and animals living in the shallow water domain. The degradation by global warming of this essential species is discussed more in-depth below.
These emissions have caused the Earth's surface temperature to rise, and the oceans absorb about 80 percent of this additional heat. Therefore Woodard states, “...the glaciers in this area drain the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, a precariously balanced portion of the southern ice cap that contains enough ice to raise sea levels by 20 feet…”, which means higher temperatures caused by global warming have led to diminished snowfall due to later winters and earlier springs. This imbalance results in a significant change to ocean evaporation; inevitably, causing sea levels to rise.Rising seas will push hundreds of millions of people live in coastal areas to new areas leaving the grounds that will become progressively vulnerable to flooding. In relation to Hinrichsen by stating, “ In the United States, studies suggest that up to 43 percent of remaining coastal wetlands would be submerged, mostly along the Atlantic and Gulf coast”. Rising seas will push hundreds of millions of citizens that live in coastal areas to new areas leaving the grounds that will become progressively vulnerable to flooding.. Consequently do to soaring water quantity, there will be an increase flood threats everywhere near the coast line, prompting flash flooding during extreme natural disasters. This will cost millions more of taxpayers money to fix damages and destruction. Rivers and lakes exposed by saltwater will contaminate the freshwater , affecting runoff, drinking water, and triggering death to native freshwater fish. Not only can increasing water volume damage properties, it can also alter weather patterns. Increasing temperatures and melting ice in the Arctic regions are creating more snowfall in the autumn months at lower latitudes, which affects an atmospheric pattern that leads to colder winters. As stated by Hanses ”... increasing
One of the main effects is the rise in sea level, which could destroy many cities and kill millions of people. A recent study states that oceans are expected to rise 2.5-6.5 Ft. by 2100. That is enough to flood many cities on the East Coast of the U.S., other estimates show a 23-foot rise which would submerge London. Another effect would be a loss of fresh water since 75% of the world's freshwater is found in glaciers. Much of the glaciers would melt, cause the frozen fresh water inside to flow into the ocean and mix with salt-water. This mixture could cause an increase risk of rockslides, outburst floods, and many other risks. This could also cause the ocean surface to heat up causing thermal stratification, which would cause a change in temperature at different
One enormous problem caused by it is the melting of ice worldwide especially at the earth’s poles. As a result of the melting of the ice, the sea levels have risen by a huge percentage resulting in coastal flooding worldwide. The salinity of the oceans has decreased due to all the fresh water added by melting ice. Many creatures that depended on certain types of habitat have gone extinct. For a example, polar bears who live in the icy regions are losing their habitat and many are destroyed due the melting of large regions of ice in the polar regions. In many regions of the world the weather patterns have vastly changed, causing strong hurricanes and storms that are destructive. Most of these storms and hurricanes are caused due to the temperature rise in the sea. This also kills corals reefs. One other major problem with Global Warming is water scarcity. Many regions such as California that had many areas covered with water are now regions with just deserts. Lack of water causes tree to die resulting in soil erosion (Economist). California is not the only region affected by this, countries such as Africa, Somalia and Sudan are also affected resulting in many deaths of animals and humans living in those particular regions (NASA). Not having enough water also causes in food shortages due to dying of plants and animals. This is the main reason why many deaths are caused in the countries mentioned above. In many
If there is an increase in the rate of global warming it will have serval effects on us humans and animals in fact the whole environment will be effected by it for example rise in the sea level which will cause lots of marine animals to die due to their loss in their food source or increase in the greenhouse gas concentration which will Increase Earth's average temperature, Reduce ice and snow cover which will cause the polar animals to die because of the change in temperature, as well as permafrost, Increase the acidity of the oceans which will make the water ph unsuitable for the marine life.
... areas will get more precipitation and storms while others will get nothing and have serious droughts. The warming of a few degrees will cause glaciers to melt and sea ice to melt leading to a lot of damage. This damage would lead the levels of the oceans to rise and would cause damage to coastal cities and islands. This would cause serious problems for the different species living in the oceans and could some disease. Especially diseases caused by mosquitoes which love warm and humid climates. There are many ideas and solutions to stop global warming. It is very difficult to reverse this process once it is started. If we want to live like we are now and have been we have to stop this process. Emissions of fossil fuels by humans is a big factor of global warming. The reason being is because of the amount of carbon dioxide released from the fossil fuels. Controlling these emissions is one huge step of many steps required to slow down and stop global warming. If global warming is not controlled, all the problems that have been mentioned, along with other problems will disrupt the living patterns in which we live.
One of the major effects of global warming is the rise of sea level due to thermal expansion of the ocean, in addition to the melting of land ice. Now there are dozens of land areas that sit well below sea level and the majority of those land areas are very well populated. At least 40 percent of the world 's population lives within 62 miles of the ocean, putting millions of lives and billions of dollars ' worth of property and infrastructure at risk. (Juliet Christian-Smith, 2011) This means if the sea level rises to the projected level of 25 meters (82 feet) half of the world will retreat back to the ocean. (Rohrer, 2007) Also rising sea levels means higher tides and storm surges riding on ever-higher seas which are more dangerous to people and coastal inf...
Global warming is a serious problem with two major effects which are increasing in sea level and degradation of wild lives. Increase in sea level is affecting the entire landmass of the earth. According to NASA, the polar ice cap is melting at the alarming rate of nine percent per decade. Arctic ice thickness has decreased 40 percent since the 1960s (Oskin). The amount of water is more than the land in our planet. If this global warming continues at this pace, soon there will be no ground left on earth. The terrestrial animals will be exterminated from the earth if glo...
Our planet has managed to survive and thrive for about 4.54 billion years. In the last 2 million years we have caused enough damage and destruction to make our world “broken” beyond repair. We will not be able to get back the world we once had. The reason behind this is global warming, specifically, the increase of the global temperature due to the burning of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere. If we do not make the issue of global warming a priority in today`s society, our entire way of life will be at risk. There are many reasons why so many people believe global warming should be a concern. Thoroughly examined points include: scientific predictions, rising temperatures, human causes, drastic climate changes and animal adaptations. Though there are several points arguing how global warming should not be a concern, the reality of the matter is that it needs to be taken into consideration on a global scale before it is too late, as to do nothing would have devastating implications on humankind.
Overall climate change is going to continue, we might not be able to stop it but we sure can slow it down and if we can slow it down we will be able to keep many amenities that we need and keep most of our ecosystems safe. Animals are a huge part in human society and once we realize we are damaging their environment and by damaging their environment we are risking losing the essentials we need to survive. Humans need to reduce the use of carbon emissions and by doing that will greatly increase the chances of slowing down rapid climate fluctuations.