THE CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE TO OUR ENVIRONMENT AND SURVIVAL

Global warming refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

 

Climate change refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns.

 

So, global warming one aspect of climate change.

 

Here are the consequences of global warming and climate change to our environment and survival:

 

Continuous rise in temperature: Global warming endlessly increases average air temperatures near the surface of Earth.

 

Heat-waves: Prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures can have serious health effects on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the sick. The most common health effect is hyperthermia or heatstroke that can be fatal if left untreated. Global warming will lead to hot days, followed by nights of high temperatures.

 

Sea level rise: This is the result of added water from melting land ice and the expansion of seawater as it warms. Storm surges and high tides could combine with sea level rise and land subsidence to further increase flooding in many regions. Ocean waters will therefore continue to warm and sea level will continue to rise.

 

Increase in heavy precipitation: This refers to instances during which the amount of rain or snow experienced in a location substantially exceeds what is normal. Climate change can affect the intensity and frequency of precipitation. Warmer oceans increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air. When more moisture-laden air moves over land or converges into a storm system, it can produce more intense precipitation—for example, heavier rain and snow storms. This leads to crop damage, soil erosion, and an increase in flood risk due to heavy.

 

Decline in Arctic sea ice and snow cover: In recent years, global warming has led to a decrease in the area of Arctic ice, which has caused the world's marine powers to pay unprecedented attention to the Arctic.

 

Glacier recession and retreat: Glaciers are retreating, shrinking, and disappearing worldwide due to global warming. The retreat of glaciers affects landscape configuration, water availability, and natural hazards, impacting downstream ecosystems and society. Therefore, plants inhabiting proglacial environments are highly sensitive to global warming and inherent glacier retreat. Understanding how plant communities are responding to ongoing glacier recession is crucial for projecting biodiversity dynamics and planning sustainable ecosystem management.

 

Infectious diseases: Global warming worsens human health conditions, especially in tropical regions. In places like Africa, an increase in temperature signifies an increase in mosquito populations, thus escalating the risk of malaria, dengue and other insect-borne infections. Other regions are also affected. The United States experienced varying levels of malaria outbreaks; in 2006, the United Kingdom was plagued by an outbreak of legionnaires' diseases -- a bacterial lung infection that scientists attribute to global warming.

 

Loss of agricultural productivity: Global warming results in droughts that can worsen living conditions, particularly in Africa. Climate change drastically alters rainfall pattern, and risk water and food supplies for millions. Rising temperatures results in food shortages.

 

Asthma and other respiratory diseases: People suffering from heart problems are more vulnerable to increased temperatures, especially those living in already warm areas, as their cardiovascular system must work harder to keep their body cool. Hot temperatures increase the ozone concentration, which can damage people's lung tissue and cause complications for asthma patients and those with lung diseases.

 

Treat to national security: Increased global warming can also pose a threat to national security, affecting food security, which, in turn, can lead to resource conflicts. Loss of basic needs due to climate change in poor countries can increase the risk of conflicts. It also causes aggression by the rich against the poor.

 

Increase in the proportion of violent tropical cyclones: Intensity of tropical cyclones is increasing due to climate change. Climate change is fueling more powerful hurricanes and typhoons, a trend that is expected to continue as global temperatures rise.