Global warming is one of the most pressing worldwide issues at the moment. The world has already seen its effects, and many more will be seen in the future. It is essential to understand what it is, how it is impacting the Earth, and why everyone needs to take active steps to combat it. To begin, global warming is the increasing of the Earth’s temperature due to the trapping of the green house gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere plant. The consequences of global warming have been far-reaching and have impacted many aspects of the planet.
To start, global warming is having a major impact on sea levels by causing them to rise. Sea levels have been rising over the past century, due to the melting of land ice and thermal expansion changes in the ocean water. The rising of the sea levels has caused many coastal cities across the world to be at an increased risk of flooding, and these floods risk the lives and livelihood of millions of people. For example, according to a 2019 report by Climate Central, many areas of Mumbai, India, will become floods prone if present climate change trends continue. Additionally, the rising of the sea levels is also damaging the delicate coral reefs and other marine ecosystems, which are essential for life in oceans and depend heavily on a stable climate.
In addition to this, global warming has also been causing an increase in the intensity and duration of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts and hurricanes. According to a report by the World Meteorological Organization, 2019 was not only the second hottest year on record, but also the fifth wettest year since reliable data first began to be collected in 1950. These extreme weather events can cause devastating impacts on lives and communities by destroying infrastructure, forcing people to relocate, and increasing the spread of infectious diseases. For instance, in the summer of 2019, a major heatwave hit Europe, causing over 1,200 deaths and excessive amounts of energy demand, both of which were caused by global warming.
On a more positive note, global warming is also responsible for creating more desirable growing conditions for certain plants, as well as allowing Arctic areas to become more accessible for human development. It is believed that global warming can result in an increase in crop yields and allow people to live in environments that they were previously unable to. For instance, global warming is responsible for allowing some areas of the Arctic to become much milder and accessible, creating more potential business opportunities and allowing people to live in the previously inaccessible parts of the North.
In conclusion, global warming is having a major impact on many aspects of the Earth, with both negative and positive consequences. Ultimately, it is essential for every person in the world to be aware of the dangers of global warming and do their part to combat it. This can range from reducing the usage of electricity, carpooling, and recycling, to advocating in politics for more sustainable laws and policies.
