Global warming
·
The concern about global warming
is the build-up of gases within the atmosphere.
·
Deforestation has meant that the
extra CO2 that has been produced, can not be absorbed by trees and
converted in oxygen.
·
An increase in greenhouse gases
has meant that there is an increase in long-wave radiation being absorbed by
these gases. This has meant the earth has gotten warmer.
Impacts of Global warming
·
Climatic
o Increased storm activity
§ Tornadoes in the mid west
§ Hurricanes
§ Typhoons
§ Cyclones
o Temperature increases
§ With no action, temperatures will increase by 2.50C
in the next 50 years.
o Reduced rainfall
§ Leads to droughts
o Rise in sea temperatures
·
Other
o Forest fires
§ Increase of fires because of dry forests
o Coral bleaching
§ From a rise in sea temperatures
§ For example reefs on the Great Barrier Reef
o Water shortages
§ 4 billion could face water shortages if temperatures
increase 20C.
o Changes in agriculture
§ Samoln fishing could become obselte
§ A 35% decrease in yields if temperatures increase 30C
§ However there could be an increase in timber yields
§ Increase in growing seasons in temperate and alpine
areas
o Flooding
§ By 2100 an overall 1m rise in sea levels if no action
has occurred.
§ Flooding will occur in Delta areas more frequently
e.g. New Orleans.
§ 4 million km2 is threatened
§ 200 million could be at risk of loosing their homes
from floods by 2050.
o Changes to Tourism
§ Longer tourist seasons for summer tourist destinations
§ Winter tourism to ski fields and glaciers may decline.
o Soil erosion
§ Especially in areas such as the amazon that is damaged
by slash and burn practices
o Spreading of disease
§ A 20C rise could increase the number
infected by Malaria by 60 million
o Extinction of wildlife
§ If temperatures increase by 20C, 40 % of
species will become extinct
§ Habitats could decrease in range e.g. Polar Bears
§ Range of Species could increase e.g. Butterflies in
the UK
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