Global Warmings Affect On Human Health
Throughout the world, the presence of particular diseases and other threats to human health depend largely on the local climate. Extreme variations in temperature can directly, and indirectly, cause the loss of human life. The threat of a gradual increase in temperature could be catastrophic to the world as we know it. As recently as 1999, a heat wave killed more than 250 people in Chicago (Union of Concerned Scientists). Many wrote off the event as a natural disaster. However, scientists warn that the average global temperature has increased 0.5° F in the past 40 years. This is half of the total increase in surface temperature, 1° F, since the late 19th century. At its current rate, the global temperature could rise 2° to 6° F in the next 100 years (Union of Concerned Scientist).
Such a drastic increase in the rate of temperature is due to the industrial revolution. In the past 40 years the world has seen a dramatic rise in population, which has increased our use of fossil fuels (gasoline, oil, coal or natural gas). These fuels are used to run our cars, heat and cool our homes, manufacture goods in our factories and ship these items for worldwide consumption. The focus, until lately, has been to produce maximum product at a minimum price to maximize profit. Little to no care was taken to minimize the amount of fossil fuels used in the production of goods. Recently, it has become evident that such practices lead to the production of greenhouse gases. Whenever fossil fuels are burned for energy, greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide builds up in the earth's atmosphere (Union of Concerned Scientists).
Another reason why greenhouse gases have increased is due to the decrease in the amount of plant life, commonly called deforestation. Plant life is the only thing known on earth to consume carbon dioxide. However, due to the need of raw materials (wood and paper pulp), industrial nations tend to cut down more trees than they...
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