Global Warming

Scientists, celebrities, and everyday people have been trying to understand the nature of global warming.  Controversy is rampant and there is intense debate around the world on the subject.  Since conclusions drawn could affect you profoundly, you may want to know some basic facts about the topic of global warming. 

The most obvious thing that can be said about global warming is that the earth is getting warmer.  Specifically, the temperatures near the surface of the earth and the temperatures in the ocean are rising.  Since 1990, there have been 10 years that have been hotter than any others in recorded history. 

The greenhouse effect is said to be responsible for global warming.  The greenhouse effect causes certain vapors and gases to form a sort of blanket that covers and warms the earth.  Water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and several other trace gases make up this blanket. 

The greenhouse effect itself is not disputed.  No controversy exists on this point because the greenhouse effect is recognized as an inherently beneficial process.  If all the energy that struck the earth was reflected right back into space, no one could live on earth.  This is what would happen without this blanket that is caused by acceptable levels of global warming. 

However, global warming is not all good.  It can cause the earth’s covering to increase in density.  With a denser blanket over the earth, less of the heat is reflected back into space.  This upsets the delicate balance between heat and cold that is usually maintained on earth.  It traps more heat inside the earth’s atmosphere. 

Although there are people who argue against it, there seems to be a change in the climate in recent years.  Climate change to a warmer climate is the result of excessive global warming. 

There has been an overall rise in temperature of a little over one degree Fahrenheit during the last century.  The figure for this century is expected to be more like seven degrees.  It is this type of global warming that can lead to dire consequences if left unchecked. 

People, their activities, and their industries have caused global warming to reach the levels it has today.  Burning fossil fuels, powering electrical plants with coal, and irresponsible land use can all contribute to global warming.  Carbon dioxide is produced by these activities, and global warming is perpetuated. 

Global warming could result in rising sea levels and flooding.  There could be more powerful storms.  Heat waves could become intense.  Droughts could severely damage the world’s crops and cause shortages of drinkable water.   Extinction of species could become a problem because of changing habitats and the suitability of the climate for the animal. 

The good news about global warming is that there are ways to slow down the process.  Each person can take responsibility for doing their part in protecting the earth’s environment.  With everyone helping, emissions of greenhouse gases can be cut drastically.  This will give the earth a chance to begin to regain its balance of temperature.  Knowing about global warming can make you a better citizen of the world.

As global warming affects the environment, it should not be surprising that it affects the health of the people living in that environment.  Changes in the climate are changes in the habitats not only for animals, but for people as well.  Climate changes are already impacting people’s health. 

Global warming has caused intense heating up of the environment.  In areas where people are not prepared for extreme heat, there have been devastating heat waves recently.  There were heat flare-ups in Europe in 2003 which lasted as long as two weeks at a time.  Temperatures soared upwards of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Temperatures like this are common in parts of the American Southwest, for example.  People are well-equipped to deal with the heat because that is the climate zone they are living in.  However, Europe is usually much cooler.  Residents there were not ready for such temperatures.  Over 35,000 people died in Europe as a result of the heat waves that year.  Global warming had changed their habitat, so to speak. 

There have also been heat waves in North America.  One in 2006 claimed 226 lives.  Another probable result of global warming is increased pollen in the air.  This happens because higher levels of carbon dioxide encourage the growth of more pollen-producing weeds.  Because more pollen means worse air quality, those with allergies and asthma suffer. 

Global warming can also affect the incidence of tropical disease.  Mosquitoes have been found in places that were once too cold for them.  High elevations, such as mountains were once free of disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

However, as the warmth climbs higher up the mountain, so do the mosquitoes.  The mosquitoes carry malaria to new regions of Indonesia because of global warming.  Dengue fever has reached elevations in the Andean Mountains of Colombia where it was never seen before. 

Other health concerns related to global warming revolve around flooding.  When sudden storms and flooding occur, it is often impossible to get ill or injured people to medical facilities in time to help them. 

Often, people take dangerous risks during floods.  They drive into water, thinking that they can make it across.  When they do not, they can get swept away and drowned.  There is no graver consequence of global warming than death, of course. 

People are also left with messes to clean up after floods.  This can result in exposure to high levels of mold.  Many people will have intense allergic reactions to mold.  The person can have hives all over their body.  Sometimes, the tongue will swell and cut off breathing.  It is a serious condition.  Curtailing global warming would lessen the incidence of flooding and prevent this many times. 

Since global warming can have an affect on the food supply, it is obvious that people can suffer from malnutrition because of this.  This is especially true in agrarian societies in underdeveloped countries. 

If all people knew how much global warming can affect their health, they might be more prone to working on a solution.  Until then, those who understand the ramifications of global warming will have to work even harder.