Global warming has been at the forefront of debate for decades. In addition to finding alternative energy sources, there have been intellectual disputes about whether global warming is in fact the extensive problem it is reported to be. Another side of the debate focuses on the likelihood of another ice age. Some argue that the earth's cyclic timeline has prepared it for an imminent ice age. There are many conflicting views and ideas, even as scientists strive to better understand the premise of climate change and how to help human beings better manage its effects. Whether the earth is steering towards another ice age or continued global warming, the fact remains that climate change is a reality. Both an ice age and continuing warming will have consequences that can be potentially deadly.
Wayne (2010) lists a number of potential consequences should temperatures continue to rise. Agriculture and thus the supply of food to humanity will be at risk,...
Floods and droughts will, for example, for example, influence crops. Livestock could also be influenced by wildfires and seasonal periodicity, which could disrupt grazing supplies.
Human health will also be influenced, with heat related deaths rising exponentially. According to Wayne (2010), the number of heat related deaths of vulnerable groups such as the elderly can be estimated at a likely five times as high as the winter deaths that will be prevented by the warmer climate. Also, the likelihood of disease-bearing insects such as mosquitoes and flies are more likely with higher temperatures. Consistently cooler environments will also see an influx of these insects, for which their citizens will not be immunologically prepared.
Another detrimental effect is the high levels of CO2 absorption by the oceans. This increases the pH in the water and is likely to have a detrimental effect on ocean life. Eventually, this will also have an effect on food supplies such as fish and other ocean products.
Sea level rise will also have a detrimental effect on human beings, especially those living in low lying areas. Rice paddies will become flooded by salt water,…
" Monitoring and enforcing a [CO.sub.2] treaty would be very difficult, if not impossible. Reductions in [CO.sub.2] emissions by rich countries could be negated by increased [CO.sub.2] emissions in fast-growing developing countries (Udall, 1990)." One of the issues facing the global warming crisis is the debate about who is most responsible for its creation and who should be financially responsible for its curbing. According to recently gathered data Americans are causing a much
Given the natural changes in atmosphere, to determine which problems are created by man and which parts by natural occurrences is problematic (Climate 2). Greenhouse gas concentrations caused by additional land coverage and land use, pouring into the Earth's atmosphere will certainly continue to create additional warming of the Earth's temperatures, raising the average temperature, changing precipitation and storm patterns, as well as raising seal levels from melting glaciers. However,
Global warming has become an issue of major global concern. This research explores the complexities of the issues surrounding global warming and the development of models to help curb the human contributions to its continuation. This research focuses on the UAE and its initiatives to develop sustainable cities in the future. Evolution of Cities environmental change and Global warming Field Work and Case Studies Back Ground The United Arab Emirates (UAE) covers an area of
(Homer, 2007, pp. 37 -- 59) at the same time, many critics will find anomalies, highlighting how the opposite of warming trends may be occurring. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than, the blizzard that would blanket the Eastern United States in February 2010. As critics would claim that if global warming was such a problem, why is the nation experiencing unusual cold fronts during
Below is a chart depicting various amounts of energy consumption by the average individual in Society? Notice that "space cooling," "water heating" and "lighting" segments contribute nearly 30% of all energy consumption in the household (Australian Energy Outlook 2006). This energy consumption however, is variable in nature. Lighting costs or space cooling costs are dependent primarily on individual preference and discipline. By simply turning off lights, or reducing the amount
" (Impacts of sea level rise) In these areas, such as India and Indonesia, even a small increase in sea level could result in forced migration with resultant economic hardship. The point should also be reiterated that in our interconnected world, the economic and social problems of one area or region have an impact on other countries. This is also related to the fact that many of the suugested means