EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Animals and IceWith the temperature rising all over the world due to global warming, we; humans, are losing a number of things along the way.
Aside from losing animals due to habitat loss, many are migrating further to find cooler areas.
Polar bears are drowning due to the increase in the distance they have to swim in order to reach ice flows. It is estimated two-thirds of the polar bear populations could be extinct due to the ice melting. “Global warming's effects can be seen worldwide, and many experts believe it's only going to get worse as CO2 emissions continue to rise. “ - http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/35593_en.html |
The picture above shows the heat difference of surface temperature of the world from 1884 (top left), 1927 (top right), 1969 (bottom left) and 2012 (bottom right). Dark blue shows cooler than average temperatures whereas dark red shows warmer than average temperatures
Picture credit: NASA/Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio "Arctic summers could be ice-free by 2040, and sea levels could rise as much as 23 inches by 2100 if current warming patterns continue." - Natural Resource Defence Council
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ClimATE CHANGE
Aside from the melting Ice and the threat to animal populations, another one of global warming's effects is climate change due to the climate change, It creates bigger hurricanes, more droughts and more rainfall.
According to studies, with the rise of temperature causing more heat, the hydrological cycle, will intensify. This is a result of the increase of surface air temperature increases evaporation and higher levels of water vapor. Above that, the warmer atmosphere is able to contain more water vapor. With the excess amount of water vapor, it will lead to heavier precipitation when the unstable atmosphere is enough to trigger precipitation events. Aside from the heavy rainfall on certain places, the drier places will get even drier, causing extreme droughts.
- Global warming also affects weather patterns, hurricanes of category 4 and 5 have happened more frequently over the years. This is due to the fact that warmer waters give more energy to tropical storms, resulting in hurricanes becoming stronger and more destructive. The best example would be hurricane Katrina (August 2005). Hurricane Katrina was one of the most deadly hurricanes recorded, resulting in a $125 billion economic loss.
According to studies, with the rise of temperature causing more heat, the hydrological cycle, will intensify. This is a result of the increase of surface air temperature increases evaporation and higher levels of water vapor. Above that, the warmer atmosphere is able to contain more water vapor. With the excess amount of water vapor, it will lead to heavier precipitation when the unstable atmosphere is enough to trigger precipitation events. Aside from the heavy rainfall on certain places, the drier places will get even drier, causing extreme droughts.
- Heavier rainfall is also happening due to the increase of temperature, the annual precipitation has risen 5 to 10 percent since the 20th century. With heavier rainfall, floods have been occurring more frequently over the years
EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
Not only does global warming affect animals and climate, it shouldn't slip your mind that it could affect our health as well. With the temperature heating up on the earth's surface, naturally hot area's will get hotter, which could cause very bad heat waves, that poses as a threat for humans. Heat related events could lead to heat exhaustion, which comes with headaches and fainting. A more severe heat related sickness would be a heat stroke, which comes with confusion, high temperatures, dry skin and unconsciousness.
The warm temperature also affects the air; with the climate change the amount of days with poor air-quality will grow more frequently. The air will consist of ground level ozone, a harmful air pollutant. Ground-level ozone could affect a humans lungs and cause inflammation in the airways, this could cause problems for the respiratory system and any lung related illnesses. This is particularly bad for older people, children and outdoor workers. It is especially bad for humans who have any chronic lung related illness or asthma. Ground-level ozone is formed when carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen are exposed to each other in sunlight.
The warm temperature also affects the air; with the climate change the amount of days with poor air-quality will grow more frequently. The air will consist of ground level ozone, a harmful air pollutant. Ground-level ozone could affect a humans lungs and cause inflammation in the airways, this could cause problems for the respiratory system and any lung related illnesses. This is particularly bad for older people, children and outdoor workers. It is especially bad for humans who have any chronic lung related illness or asthma. Ground-level ozone is formed when carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen are exposed to each other in sunlight.
Solutions for global warming
Obviously to even begin anything to stop global warming, we need to first stop the main cause of it all that is the excess amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. With today's technology a number of solutions have been made and are actually put in use:
Recent studies show that even algae; natures most simplest life forms, is now a considerable solution to global warming. It is said that algae can 'capture' CO2, therefor reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Since algae is very easy to grow, and goes through photosynthesis mass growing of algae could help reduce the CO2 significantly. Technology has also produced a new type of car; electric cars, creating an option for drivers to leave the fuel-burning car and using the electric cars. The way they work is the car is charged through a power socket at home and later used during the day. To reduce the use of cars also, ride the public transportation more often, in order to significantly reduce the amount of people using cars.
- Wind and solar power
- Biofuels
Recent studies show that even algae; natures most simplest life forms, is now a considerable solution to global warming. It is said that algae can 'capture' CO2, therefor reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Since algae is very easy to grow, and goes through photosynthesis mass growing of algae could help reduce the CO2 significantly. Technology has also produced a new type of car; electric cars, creating an option for drivers to leave the fuel-burning car and using the electric cars. The way they work is the car is charged through a power socket at home and later used during the day. To reduce the use of cars also, ride the public transportation more often, in order to significantly reduce the amount of people using cars.
"Electric cars produce lower global warming emissions than the average compact gasoline-powered vehicle." - State of Charge (2012)
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The fact still remains that we need to reduce burning fossil fuel, as it is the biggest CO2 contributor. We now have renewable energy like wind and solar power, biofuels that comes from crops and geothermal energy, scientists studies show that these renewable energy are enough to support our energy needs.
Replanting trees that had been cut down due to deforestation is also another way in taking the CO2 that is in the atmosphere. REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries plus related pro-forest policies) is an organization set to help reduce deforestation with a reward system. They reward developing countries that reduce their rates of deforestation. The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has also created a 5-step solution to global warming for the citizens of America. |
EASY AT HOME SOLUTIONS!
One of the biggest problems of solving global warming is that the human mind is set to think that they can disregard themselves as someone who won't make a difference, and so I'm here to tell you that one person does matter! Here are a couple of ways that you can make a difference from your own home.
Be Efficient!
One of the most effective ways to reduce global warming on your own, is to be efficient with your at home electricity. Developed countries are said to have more reckless electricity spenders, and so by reducing that you can reduce the amount of coal being burnt to produce your electricity. Since burning coal (fossil fuel) emits large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, therefor reducing your electricity usage reduces the coal being burnt.
Car Shopping!
Every gallon of gas you use accounts for 25 pounds of heat trapping gases, so when you're planning to buy a new car or planning on buying your first car make sure to buy the one with the best fuel economy in its class.
Spread the Word!
Spread the word that global warming is happening whether they choose to ignore it or not, because global warming doesn't affect just one person or one country in particular, it affects all humans! So get your information and spread it to your friends and family, colleagues at work etc.
Be Efficient!
One of the most effective ways to reduce global warming on your own, is to be efficient with your at home electricity. Developed countries are said to have more reckless electricity spenders, and so by reducing that you can reduce the amount of coal being burnt to produce your electricity. Since burning coal (fossil fuel) emits large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, therefor reducing your electricity usage reduces the coal being burnt.
Car Shopping!
Every gallon of gas you use accounts for 25 pounds of heat trapping gases, so when you're planning to buy a new car or planning on buying your first car make sure to buy the one with the best fuel economy in its class.
Spread the Word!
Spread the word that global warming is happening whether they choose to ignore it or not, because global warming doesn't affect just one person or one country in particular, it affects all humans! So get your information and spread it to your friends and family, colleagues at work etc.