The Expected Effects Of Global Warming
The Expected Effects of Global Warming
One of the current and most widely discussed environmental issues affecting the world is global warming. Global warming could lead to the end of Earth and the existence of man. Current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming is having a direct effect on rising sea levels, significant worldwide climatic changes, and the melting of icecaps. Scientists are trying to determine the how fast the Earth is heating up, and how it will affect the world in the near and distant future. Because the world differs in climate and geography, each continent of the world is reacting in different ways to global warming. "Human activities connected with economic development and industrialization are changing the world's climate in ways that may have significant and problematic consequences. More specifically, anthropogenic, or human-caused emissions into the lower atmosphere are increasing the natural greenhouse effect so that worldwide global warming is taking place" (1) "Global warming will be the greatest environmental challenge in the 21st century" Al Gore (3)
In Antarctica, the projected biophysical effects could be reductions in thickness and existance of glaciers and ice sheets, and changes in natural ecosystems with dramamtic effects on many organisms including migratory birds, mammals and predators. In the Arctic, additional impacts could include reductions in the extent of sea ice and permafrost, increased coastal erosion, and an increase in the depth of permafrost seasonal thawing. For Arctic human communities could suffer particularly from the changing snow and ice conditions. Specific impacts would include those on the infrastructure and traditional indigenous ways of life for people of the Arctic.Although there could be beneficial impacts due to global warming, including reduced heating costs and more navigable northern sea routes. In polar regions, specific ecosystems and habitats are...
Please login to view the full essay...