Impacts of Global Warming

The incessant rise in average near-surface temperature of the planet as a result of various natural occurrences and anthropogenic activities is known as global warming. That definition may be technically correct, but whether it highlights the seriousness of the issue is a question that is difficult to answer. There is a lot more to know about this environmental issue which is acting as a catalyst for several other natural disasters on the planet.

Global Warming: An Overview

Over the last century, the average global temperature has increased by 0.32°F, and the climatic models prepared by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that the Earth will be warmer by 2.0 to 11.5°F, by the end of this century. Evaluation of the evidence and statistics substantiates this claim very well. Our inability to differentiate between global warming myths and facts has fueled this problem making it all the more intense. Its causes can be broadly categorized into two groups - the natural causes, which include volcanic eruption, solar radiations, methane release, etc., and the anthropogenic causes (man-made causes) include burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, mining, etc. While natural factors have always been there, and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance in global temperature, the significant rise in various anthropogenic factors and the rise in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is turning out to be a grave concern. Trees play a crucial role in the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which means global warming and deforestation are also closely associated.

What Are the Impacts of Global Warming?

As the temperature continues to soar, it will trigger numerous changes on the planet - quite of few of which will affect us directly, while others will affect us indirectly. In order to make it simple, we have divided its impacts into three categories - on the basis of who will be at the suffering end.

How Will Plants Suffer?
Global warming will trigger numerous changes in climatic conditions, and this climate change will in turn trigger the extinction of various plant species. These plants have taken years together to adapt to the conditions in which they thrive today, any changes in these climatic conditions now will result in adverse effects on these species. Climate change, i.e. change in pattern of seasons to be precise, will also alter the growing season of these plants, which will in turn affect their reproduction cycle. It will be difficult for these species to undergo the entire adaptation process all over, and in this process many of these species will become extinct. Irregularities in precipitation, irrespective of whether it is drought or flood, will affect various plant species including agricultural crops.

How Will Animals Suffer?
The impact of this phenomenon on numerous animal species will be even more harsh. In fact, the effects on animals have already begun, and a look at the list of extinct animals makes it obvious. The Monteverde golden toad endemic to the rainforests of Cost Rica was one of the first casualties of global warming. It became extinct as a result of habitat loss, when extremely hot summers dried up the lake which this species inhabited. The list of endangered animals also includes a number of animal species which have lost their natural habitat as a result of the rise in global temperature. The relationship between polar bears and global warming best explains its effects and consequences on animals. Melting of polar ice has resulted in loss of habitat for this species, and this has forced the species to move further north. The same trend has been witnessed in almost all the biomes of the world, including the ocean biome wherein coral reefs are fighting for their basic existence in warm ocean water.

How Will We Suffer?
Without plants and animals, it will be impossible for us to survive on this planet. We are dependent on these plant and animal species for everything - including the basics such as oxygen and food. Only plants have the ability to prepare their own food by resorting to the process of photosynthesis - the same energy is eventually transferred to us when we eat plants or eat animals which feed on these plants. We are just a part of the food chain, if any link of this chain is broken everybody, including us, will have to bear the brunt of the same. That was about our dependence on plants and animals, but our woes are not just restricted to global warming effects on plants and animals. When this hazardous phenomenon will reach its peak, we will have to face a number of problems. For instance, glaciers act as freshwater reservoirs on the planet, and if they melt we will be left devoid of water to drinking.

Similarly, glacial melting at high altitude will also trigger flash floods in the surrounding. All this water will be drained into the oceans, and that in turn will result in sea level rise. As sea level continues to rise all the low lying area and tiny islands will get submerged. Maldives islands sinking is one of the best evidence of this global warming problems. When water from melting glaciers enters the sea, the warm and cold water currents will result in conditions ideal for formation of hurricanes. As a result of this, the frequency of hurricanes will increase. Warm climate will also come as a blessing for various disease spreading insects, and thus some diseases which are restricted to tropical areas as of today will spread to various other regions. Extreme weather - drought, floods and lengthy or short growing seasons, will destroy the agricultural sector, and that will leave us devoid of food.

What about its Positive Effects

While the whole has been divided between those think global warming is really occurring or not, there does exist a group of people who are optimist about this phenomenon. These people argue that only the negative impacts of this phenomenon are highlighted now and then, while the positive impacts of the same are conveniently ignored. They argue that longer summer will mean longer growing seasons, and this will result in more crop produce. Similarly, melting of ice in certain areas around Antarctica will make these waterways navigable and help marine transport. Warmer winters will also mean that we would have face less number of devastating snow storms. While rise in sea level will turn out to be a boon when it comes to the development of tidal energy, formation of estuaries will add to the biodiversity of the planet. A large number of scientists refute these claims as mere optimism. More importantly, all these positive effects are easily overshadowed by numerous negative effects, and therefore we should stop being so optimist and start putting in efforts to curb the hazards associated with global warming.

It's high time we take the seriousness of this issue into consideration, and do something about it. While the concerned authorities continue to ponder upon various solutions at the international level, we can do our bit by resorting to some simple steps to fight global warming and save our planet. Over the period, this issue has become so intense that it will take mammoth efforts on our behalf to reduce the intensity of its impacts - if not get rid of them totally.