Effects of Global Warming

Written By Live Naturally
Dated: July 9, 2009

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Scientists are veering around to the point of view that global warming is happening at a rapid pace around the world. There are many causes of this, among which are pollution, unbridled population growth, burning of fossil fuels, increase in carbon dioxide and depletion of the ozone layer which poses a serious threat to the globe. Indeed, while there are many among the scientific community who are of a counter view, even the most vehement naysayer is veering to the point of view that global warming is showing its ugly head and having an effect on most parts of the world. Here are a few of the deleterious effects that global warming has ushered:
• Sea Levels: The polar ice caps and the Arctic and Antarctic ice regions are fast melting. This is because of the fast increase in global temperature which is leading to increase in global sea levels. For instance, it is estimated that by 2030, the global seas will rise by as much as 20 cm, which will lead to havoc spreading in many of the world’s vulnerable coastal regions. Many countries like Maldives and coastal Bangladesh will be inundated or submerged with sea water. Many sea-side cities like New York, Karachi, and Mumbai will get inundated. Countries like Egypt and many South East Asian countries will also get totally submerged leading to home and property loss by millions of coastal inhabitants. The humanitarian situation will become unmanageable as the pressure of population will fall on a shrinking land mass.

• Forestry and Agriculture: These will be grossly affected as there will be unpredictable spells of heavy rains and also drought. Many of the temperate regions will start getting more tropical climates affecting the growth of crops and agriculture patterns drastically. At the same time, many of the millions of hectares of broad leaf deciduous forests will get wiped out with further bad effect on global warming. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that is essential for life. But if trees get marginalized and hacked down indiscriminately, the effects would be disastrous to say the least. Change in crop patterns will also make crops fail and could lead to widespread famine, which is already present in quite a few desert parts of Africa. Meddling with the global environmental set up can indeed be a costly loss for any government.

• Water: The unique thing about the earth is the presence of an ambient atmosphere and adequate water resources to sustain life. With global warming patterns of rain would get altered, where there could be droughts in some places and ultra heavy rainfall in others. This has already started happening. In fact, water problems and shortage will lead to water wars and also spread of many diseases especially when water is contaminated. Many countries around the world are already experiencing loss of the water resources, and in some places there is the process of desertification of land that is taking place.