Effects Of Global Warming Essay Research Paper

Effects Of Global Warming Essay, Research Paper

The Effects of Global Warming

Global warming during the past century has been so gradual as to be nearly imperceptible. Neither does it adhere to a regular schedule or predictable pattern, which perhaps explains why doubters and nay-sayers still dispute the whole idea. Their ranks are shrinking, however, in the face of a growing body of evidence.

Experts now tell us that if we do nothing to reduce the release of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, we can expect temperatures to rise during the next century from 2.7 to 8.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 to 4.5 degrees C.). Even these increases seem small and no cause for alarm, particularly here on the coast where ocean breezes usually temper even the hottest days.

The problem, remember, is global warming; the operative word here is global. The increases will be in average temperatures, and even then we’ll still probably experience cool spells, cold snaps, and years that aren’t as hot as we might expect. With rising average temperatures, however, come increases in the probability of warmer days and more of them.

For example, studies indicate that temperate-zone cities now recording maximum temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit 35 days a year will, by the year 2020, swelter under such heat for an additional 50 days a year.

While many of us might think first of the discomfort, inconvenience, and expense we would have to bear as the planet’s climate warms, the greatest effects are likely to be far more catastrophic. They include the dieback of forests; severe drought, possibly leading to crop failures and famine; and a rise in sea levels, which could greatly alter our coastlines, not to mention our lifestyles.

We have already done a great deal of irreversible damage to our atmosphere since preindustrial days. For example, we expect chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related atmospheric greenhouse gases to have doubled by the year 2050. Without dramatic measures to decrease emissions worldwide, the consequences could be dire.

Although developing nations now contribute about 30 percent of the global carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, scientists estimate that their dense populations and industrialization will increase that amount to more than 50 percent by the year 2025.

The United States and other industrialized nations have been part of the problem for too long. If we are to persuade developing nations to clean up their acts, we must become part of the solution.

We can’t solve these problems overnight. In fact, even if we were able to immediately take the most drastic measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, it would take several decades to check the progress of global warming.

So some continued warming is inevitable. Most scientists agree that one certain result will be a rise in the world’s sea level. In fact, that process is already underway.

What Are the Effects Of Global Warming.

The Answer:

All 10 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the last 15 years.

The 1990s have already been warmer than the 1980s–the warmest decade on record–by almost 0.2.F (0.1.C), according to the Goddard Institute of Space Studies.

In vast areas of the United States, temperature increases in a range of 2.-4.F (1.1.- 2.C) have been measured during this century.

The global average surface temperature has risen 0.5.-1.1.F (0.3.-0.6.C) since reliable records began in the second half of the 19th century.

These are just a few temperature effects facts to start us off with. Here are a few future effects that we will go into more detail about.

Damage to human health.

Severe stress on forests, wetlands, and other natural habitats.

Dislocation of agriculture and commerce.

E.xpansion of the earth’s deserts

Melting of polar ice caps and consequent rise in the sea level

The first effect, human health, is based upon all the other devastating effects. All animals have a limiting factor. The limiting factor, if changed even the slightest, means the end to that particular species in the habitat where the limiting factor has changed. Quite often, the limiting factor is heat. For humans, if we were even an foot closer to the sun, it could mean the end of our race. Although the effects of global Warming will not necessarily kill humans or other species, the change in heat can effect our health in many other ways. For instance, bacteria in heat is more prone to reproduce, so our drinking water could become more contaminated, therefore increasing the risk that we would drink contaminated water. There are many other situations just like that which could arise from global warming.

Another effect is the severe stress on other many different environments, like wetlands, forests etc. With the increased temperature in the atmosphere from global warming, more water will be evaporated into water vapor, an unusable form of water. This would mean less water for animals, vegetation, and all living organisms. With less water, wetlands could dry up, and the species inhabiting the wetlands, with no water to help keep them alive, would become extinct.

The dislocation of agriculture and commerce is very bad for the United States, and very good for places like Russia. When th

Внимание, отключите Adblock

Вы посетили наш сайт со включенным блокировщиком рекламы!
Ссылка для скачивания станет доступной сразу после отключения Adblock!

Скачать