Global Warming Effects

There was a time, when scientists said that its high time when we develop a serious understanding for the global warming effects, and make efforts to lessen the severity that they are causing to our Earth. But we humans have crossed over that high time and have still not made ourselves aware of the disaster that we are going to face in near future, because of the ever-increasing global warming effects. Do we make a conscious effort to use only the required amount of water? Have we maintained the habit of switching off electrical appliances when they are not in use? Do we try to make minimal use of our vehicles so as to create less pollution? Have we ever sacrificed our wish for burning fancy crackers to celebrate different occasions? Or, have we thought even for a minute before felling one more tree to the ground? I do not know how many of us have the answer to all these questions as 'Yes'. But I am certain that most of us are whispering ourselves a silent 'No'! And the more number of 'Nos', the more severe the global warming effects are...

What is Global Warming?

Global warming, is one of the hottest topics on the platter of scientific studies. And by now, everyone must have come to know about this undesired effect that is taking place in nature. Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide and ozone are the main greenhouse gases. Now what do these gases do is, they allow the sun's radiation to enter the Earth's atmosphere. However, they create a blockage to stop the heat to get radiated back to the atmosphere. This process is known as the greenhouse effect, and is actually necessary for the sustainability of life on Earth.

Now what has been happening is that the level of greenhouse gases has been increasing to alarming levels. And this is causing the atmosphere to trap more heat than required. This process is increasing the average temperature of the Earth. And this very increase, which has been in progress since the mid-20th century, is termed as 'global warming'.

Top 10 Worst Effects of Global Warming

Generally speaking, there could be no count of the number of global warming effects on Earth we are encountering or have to encounter in future. However, I have tried putting down the below description, which would let you know about the worst effects which have come into existence.

• One of the most obvious effects of global warming is associated with the polar ice caps. Due to the increased heat, the ice caps have already started melting. Over time, this will increase the water levels in seas and oceans. Experts have estimated that if all the glaciers are caused to melt, it would result in the water level to rise to about 230 feet. Also, it must be known that ice caps are supposed to be a source of freshwater. Once they start melting in large amounts, they would begin mixing with the seas and oceans thus, making them less saltier. And when this happens, there would be a huge impact on the ocean currents, eventually jeopardizing the regulation of temperature. This is one of the severe global warming effects on weather that is predicted by scientists.
• The second effect that increasing levels of global warming would have is related to the survival of the wild animal species. The increasing level of sea water would cause the lowland coastal areas to incur flood. The most obvious repercussion of this would be the destruction of plant species, which ultimately would impact the diet of the herbivores, and eventually the carnivores. One example which can represent the global warming effects on animals could be the extinction of polar bears. These animals use the sea ice for hunting. And if there is no ice, there would be no hunting, and eventually, no polar bears!
• With the temperature on the rise, more and more places would face incidences of drought and diseases.
• Another severe effect is again related to the melting glaciers and ice caps. The meltdown would cause the oceans and seas to get totally exposed to the sun's heat. This would result in more absorption of heat thus, warmer waters. The end result of this may be the creation of stronger and frequent hurricanes.
• Increasing temperature, elevated levels of carbon dioxide, malfunctioning precipitation and many other factors would jointly contribute to drastic climatic change. This would have its effects on agriculture and food production around the world.
• People who love to eat salmon, would also feel the global warming effects when this very fish species is wiped out completely from the waters of the Earth. Scientific studies have shown the disappearance of the pacific salmon from 40% of their habitats.
• Those who fancy growing wildflower species, may have to part with their love with the wild plants. It has been predicted that in the Western United States, there could occur a wipe out a fifth of the wildflower species, replacing them with grasses.
• There could be no Christmas trees in near future. There is this bug known as the pine bark beetle which munches on these kinds of trees. But their population is kept under control by winter temperatures. So if the temperature goes on rising, these insects would thrive thus, killing more and more of such trees. I don't know about you, but this would be among the worst global warming effects for humanity.
• There would be an increase in heat-related heart and respiratory medical conditions, if the temperature keeps on rising. This would result in more deaths over time.
• As there could be an instability in food and water supply, one of the worst repercussions to this could be threats for war and conflict. It may be an obvious fact that countries which suffer water shortages and crop loss, could trigger instances which might lead to next world war.

If you analyze each of these global warming effects with a keen precision and understanding, then you may be able to derive several conclusions. And these conclusions would only show you more of such effects, which would seem like to be involved in a chain reaction - never to stop and spreading like a plague!..

"We cannot stop global warming, but we can do our bit to reduce the effects. This would prolong not only our existence, but that of our future generations to come!"...