What are the effects and consequences of climate change?
CSIRO studies have shown that in the last 130 years, sea levels have risen more than two metres. A common misconception is that the sea levels are rising because of only the melting ice mass on the poles. However, since this ice is already in the ocean, it doesn't make that much of a difference. It's the ice on land, which melts and flows into the oceans, that is the problem.
Not only is global warming affecting the height of sea levels, but it is also threatening various species of Arctic animals, such as the polar bear and seals, whose habitats are on the ice. It is also affecting marine life, such as coral reefs and fish. Weight-wise, approximately 97% of earth's life lives in the ocean and interestingly, 99% of all earth's living space is in the ocean. Rising sea-levels also cause coastal erosion. As many major cities are built on the coast, most with populations exceeding millions, this presents an immediate danger to these cities and threatens their thriving industries.
Additionally, global warming is altering weather patterns, which has a subsequent effect on the ecosystem. Seasonal changes, such as an earlier springhave affected events such as flowering and egg laying. It also puts human life at risk. Although this is not a prevalent problem now, it will be in the future if global warming keeps up at the rate it is now. Extremely hot summers and extremely cold winters will be the result of this.
The impacts of climate change have a somewhat chain reaction. If ice melts, then less radiation is reflected back into space, meaning that the Earth gradually heats up quicker and quicker and the surface warming becomes more intense. The melting of the ice also affects ocean currents and changes the lifestyle of various species, for examplem the migratory pattern of birds.
A controversial point is that lower-lying nations are the most threatened by climate change but it is in fact the more-developed, larger countries are the ones who are the main causers of climate change. It is as if the larger countries are creating work that the smaller countries have to clean up. This controversial point demonstrates how every single country in the world is interconnected and interdependent. No matter how much you try, it is impossible for your life not to affect other countries in some way or another whether large or small.
Not only is global warming affecting the height of sea levels, but it is also threatening various species of Arctic animals, such as the polar bear and seals, whose habitats are on the ice. It is also affecting marine life, such as coral reefs and fish. Weight-wise, approximately 97% of earth's life lives in the ocean and interestingly, 99% of all earth's living space is in the ocean. Rising sea-levels also cause coastal erosion. As many major cities are built on the coast, most with populations exceeding millions, this presents an immediate danger to these cities and threatens their thriving industries.
Additionally, global warming is altering weather patterns, which has a subsequent effect on the ecosystem. Seasonal changes, such as an earlier springhave affected events such as flowering and egg laying. It also puts human life at risk. Although this is not a prevalent problem now, it will be in the future if global warming keeps up at the rate it is now. Extremely hot summers and extremely cold winters will be the result of this.
The impacts of climate change have a somewhat chain reaction. If ice melts, then less radiation is reflected back into space, meaning that the Earth gradually heats up quicker and quicker and the surface warming becomes more intense. The melting of the ice also affects ocean currents and changes the lifestyle of various species, for examplem the migratory pattern of birds.
A controversial point is that lower-lying nations are the most threatened by climate change but it is in fact the more-developed, larger countries are the ones who are the main causers of climate change. It is as if the larger countries are creating work that the smaller countries have to clean up. This controversial point demonstrates how every single country in the world is interconnected and interdependent. No matter how much you try, it is impossible for your life not to affect other countries in some way or another whether large or small.
Later on...
If earth keeps increasing its emissions of CO2 and encouraging climate change, this is what will happen to earth's land mass: