Global Warming Has Been at the Forefront

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, for example. 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, for example. Seawater will move further into rivers and contaminate fresh water further upstream. Aquifers will become polluted. All these effects will affect human survival, as both food and water sources will diminish as a result. As this occurs, wars and conflict may become much more prevalent as people fight for their survival.

If there were to be an ice age, the consequences would also be significant for human beings, especially in terms of food, water, and energy supplies. While some authors dismiss any likelihood of an ice age, imminent or otherwise, others like Cocks (2010), believe that there will be an ice age in the future. According to the author, even the warming earth will not prevent an eventual ice age.

While this might not occur over the next ten years, the author is adamant that there will be an ice age within a few millennia. The effect of this on human beings will be significant. According to Cocks (2010), the current rate of fossil fuel usage will create shortages once the ice age arrives. Human beings will be unable to generate sufficient energy for heat, growing food, and maintaining liquid water sources. This is likely to affect human and animal.