Effects of Global Warming

by Chee Lee Onn

No environment, no people. An unhealthy environment means unhealthy people too. The effects of global warming are many and are interrelated. Global warming affects the environment and indirectly affects human health also. The effects could be enormous. Relative to the hectic pace of our daily life, global warming is a slow-moving problem. There are several major effects of global warming which are actually happening right now such as the melting of ice worldwide, deadly heat wave and the increase in storm intensity.

The melting of ice worldwide – especially at the Earth’s poles which also include mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and the Arctic sea ice – is a threat (National Geographic, 2007). Due to that, sea level rise is becoming faster today as compared to the last century. The melting of ice also causes certain species of animals (such as polar bears and penguins) to lose their habitats. A research conducted by Bill Fraser found that there is a decline of the Adélie penguins on Antarctica. Their numbers have fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in just 30 years time.

Not only are the animals affected from global warming but we humans are affected as well. Human health will suffer as a result of climate change. For example, the 2003 European heat wave killed 35,000 people (Bhattacharya, 2003). In France alone, 14,802 people died from the searing temperatures (USA Today, 2003). Besides, diseases will also spread. Some infectious, vector-borne diseases such as malaria have already started to spread. There are many other health effects too, and this includes food shortages. When the temperature is too high, certain crops will not survive and thus, food shortages.

Increased storm activity and intensity is caused by global warming too. Extreme weathers are already occurring. It is said that cyclones have gained strength since 1970. Heavily populated, low-lying coastal areas in cyclone-prone areas are particularly vulnerable (Alternate Energy Sources, 2010). For example, Hurricane Katrina (which hit New Orleans) and Cyclone Nargis (in Burma) are among the demonstrations of the effects of global warming. Hurricane Katrina was categorized as a category 5 hurricane in August 2005. It was the costliest hurricane in the United States history which cost up to $81.2 billion. Katrina is also known as one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of United States (Hurricane Katrina, 2011).

References:

Alternate Energy Sources. (2010). Effects Of Global Warming - Affecting Everyone. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from Alternate Energy Sources: http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/effects-of-global-warming.html

Bhattacharya, S. (2003, October 10). European heatwave caused 35,000 deaths. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from NewScientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4259-european-heatwave-caused-35000-deaths.html

Hurricane Katrina. (2011). Hurricane Katrina. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from Hurricane Katrina: http://www.katrina.com/

National Geographic. (2007). Effects of Global Warming: Signs are Everywhere. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from National Geographic: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects/

USA Today. (2003, September 25). France heat wave death toll set at 14,802. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2003-09-25-france-heat_x.htm