We are living in an age of great environmental change, and nowhere is this more evident than with the rapid warming of our planet due to global warming. In a 2014 report issued by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global average surface temperature has increased nearly 1.5F since pre-industrial times, likely due to human activities. As a result, there are a number of potential outcomes that could arise as a result of global warming, both positive and negative, that will require our attention if we are to address the challenges of an ever-changing environment.
One of the primary outcomes of global warming is an increase in the global average surface temperature, leading to higher air and ocean temperatures. This could have numerous implications, from altering the climate of certain regions and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, to the gradual melting of polar ice caps and rising sea levels. It could also have a detrimental effect on ecosystems, leading to changes in nutrient availability, plant and animal distributions, and increased disturbance to ecosystems. For example, increasing temperatures could cause animal species to migrate to cooler regions, leading to changes in the balance of species in certain areas of the world.
Rising temperatures could also result in more frequent droughts and wildfires, both of which can have remarkable consequences. For example, droughts are believed to be a major cause of the civil wars in Syria and South Sudan, due to the decrease in water availability and crop failure caused by the drought. Similarly, wildfires can cause considerable damage: the California wildfires of 2018 were the worst in the state’s history, resulting in 3000 homes destroyed and over $2.8 billion in damage. Global warming also increases the likelihood of floods, as warmer temperatures lead to increased precipitation which can lead to rapid snowmelt and flash flooding.
Global warming also has the potential to change global economic strategies. For example, some countries may move away from the use of fossil fuels and opt for cleaner forms of energy, such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind power. This could lead to increased trade in clean energy technology, as countries invest more in sustainable methods of powering their economies. Additionally, it could lead to the emergence of ‘green’ jobs, such as solar panel installers, wind turbine engineers, and other jobs related to the renewable energy industry.
Global warming can also have some positive impacts. Increased global temperatures could have a beneficial effect on crop yields in some regions of the world, as many crops thrive in warmer temperatures. Additionally, an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere could lead to an increased growth rate in some plants, leading to higher yields. This could provide food security to those in need and could lead to decreased poverty levels globally.
These points provide a snapshot of some of the possible outcomes of global warming. It is clear that while some of them are positive, many of them are negative, and this is why it is so important that we continue to take steps to reduce our global carbon footprint. We must work together to reduce greenhouses gas emissions, invest in clean energy technology, and adapt to an ever-changing environment in order to minimize the effects of global warming. If we don’t act now, the future of our planet is uncertain and we may be left with a world that we don’t recognize.
