The global temperature has been on an escalating trajectory, and with it a subsequent rise in sea levels across the world has been observed. In the face of these changing environmental conditions, the question of the effect of global warming on the future must be addressed. Unquestionably, if left unmitigated, global warming will have severe consequences; however, with advances in technology and sensible decision-making, the harm might be contained or even reversed.
In the not-so-distant future, it is likely that there will be higher sea levels due to a combination of thermal expansion and melted ice from ice sheets and glaciers. Empirical evidence from data collected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sourced from previous experiments project an average temperature increase of 0.2°C to 0.3°C per decade during the 21st century. Thus, the global sea level is projected to rise by about 26–32 inches, which will cause frequent and severe flooding in certain areas and permanently submerged coastlines.
Careful management of land usage and infrastructure planning is vital to mitigating the effects of flooding, which can become more extreme due to the potential for more severe and longer-lasting storms due to global warming. Innovative developments in the scientific fields of green infrastructure and climate-resilient urban planning are being developed, such as the creation of green roofs, permeable paving, and pocket parks. Through the implementation of these and other strategies, steps can be taken to help contain and disperse flooding.
On the other hand, high temperatures cause people to experience heat-stress and suffer from illness. Higher temperatures can also result in food and water insecurity, since some crops are unable to thrive in such high temperatures, making them rare and expensive. Studies have also found that higher temperatures reduce air quality due to an increase in ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, which can cause respiratory illnesses, eye and throat irritations, as well as aggravate asthma.
Thankfully, policy changes have been made with the intention of reducing the negative environmental effects of global warming, such as the Paris Agreement of 2015, and the efforts of individual countries to reduce emissions. Additionally, there has been an upswing in clean energy production and the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy. These approaches demonstrate a commitment to reduce emissions, and thus slowdown the rate of global warming.
Ultimately, it is clear that global warming has the potential to cause catastrophic damage to our planet as sea levels rise and temperatures continue to soar. However, taking actions to reduce emissions and improve land usage and infrastructure planning will be crucial to managing these effects in the future. There is an undeniable need for a collective effort from governments and citizens alike in order to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our planet.
