Effects of Global Warming

The term ‘global warming’ refers to the increasing temperatures worldwide. It is generally believed that global warming is a result of rising levels of greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide. Under normal conditions, solar energy will strike the earth’s surface and bounce back into space. There is a thin layer of gases that traps some of the radiant heat next to the earth, similar to what occurs in a greenhouse. These gases, referred to as greenhouse gases, are necessary for the earth to retain enough heat to support life. Throughout time there have been fluctuations in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the environment, and climate has been widely variable. In recent times, however, levels of greenhouse gases have achieved concentrations higher than ever resulting in wider climatic fluctuations.

Greater concentrations of greenhouse gases are manifesting in higher global temperatures. This is the phenomenon of global warming. The term ‘global climate change’ not only refers to increasing global temperatures, but to other changes in weather that are occurring as a result of global warming.

An increase in global temperatures is responsible for melting polar ice, which will likely cause sea levels to rise. In fact, some projections indicate that sea levels will rise many meters, entirely inundating low laying areas of the world and displacing millions of people. Populations of people depending on alpine glaciers, which are melting at an unprecedented rate, for drinking water will soon be threatened.

Global climate change is responsible for shifting ranges of several species of plants and animals. Predatory fish are beginning to venture into arctic waters, which are warmer than ever before. Species normally inhabiting these waters have not had an opportunity to evolve defenses against these predators and their populations are being decimated as a result. Flowers are beginning to bloom sooner, some species of birds are failing to migrate, and frogs are emerging from hibernation before breeding ponds fill with spring rains.

Winters are not achieving low enough temperatures for long enough periods of time for some animals to hibernate. Lengthy bouts of freezing temperatures, which normally keep insect populations in check, can no longer do so. Insect bourn diseases may become more common as a result. This is already evident in populations of alpine pine trees, where the predaceous spruce bark beetle populations have exploded killing thousands of trees and leaving them dry and vulnerable to massive wildfires.

Other global climate changes include more incidence of extreme weather. Droughts and wildfires are becoming more frequent, intense and longer in duration because of increased temperatures and decreased humidity. Hurricanes are becoming more common, more severe, and sustained for longer periods of time due to increased ocean temperatures. Torrential rains are now common due to increased evaporation rates driven by higher global temperatures. Increased rainfall in some regions will cause massive flooding which can devastate low laying areas by inundating them with water. Infectious diseases may also increase because of inundated waters.

While global climate impacts all of Earth’s citizens, its impacts will be particularly harsh on individuals living in developing countries. Unfortunately, it is some of these regions that are predicted to be impacted the most by global climate change.

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