Is Global Warming Really That Bad?

Wearing a sweater versus not having one on a cool spring day. By 2100, the earth will be 8 degrees warmer than it is now, with disastrous effects for all ecosystems & living beings, including ourselves.

A National Climate Assessment blames human activity for global warming, especially carbon reduction from fossil fuels & forest degradation. Sooty pollutants such as carbon dioxide & methane act as a blanket, absorbing heat from the sun. The 2000-2009 decade was the warmest in at least 1300 years. It’s affecting land, oceans, and ice.

Weather Becoming Worse

Climate change exacerbates storms, extreme weather, floods, and droughts. Dry regions become moist as the temperature rises. Extreme weather increases Clean Power Plan costs, says NRDC’s deputy director. A few more billion-dollar storms are likely.

Ten temperature and precipitation crises cost $1 billion in 2015, according to NOAA. From 1980 – 2015, disasters cost $5.2 billion. Averaging $10.8 billion each year between 2011 & 2015

Droughts, severe storms, & floods become more common as our atmosphere warms and holds more moisture. Dry weather means burnt grass. Drought in the US causes dust storms, high temperatures, and flash flooding. Water is a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Overflowing rivers and lakes harm property, taint drinking water and create toxic waste spills, mildew infestation and polluted air. Mosquitoes, parasites, and ticks thrive in a warmer, wet world.

More Slain

“The 21st century’s greatest global health threat,” say scientists. It threatens children, the old, low-income populations, and minorities. Diseases, ER visits, and mortality grow with the temperature.

There are much more hot weather in unexpected places. “They lack and can afford AC. Two days isn’t much. Temperatures over 100°F for four days have major health consequences.” Acute heat illness causes hundreds of deaths each year in the United States. Americans die from heat than storms, tornados, floods, and lightning.

Old Air

Pollution from cars, factories, as well as other sources combines with sunlight and heat to generate ground-level ozone. The main component of smog is ozone, which rises with temperature. The air pollution causes asthma hospitalizations and deaths. It aggravates heart and lung issues. Warmer weather increases dust in the air, causing hay fever or other allergies.

Extinction Rate Increases

Humans face many challenges, yet we weren’t the only ones sweating. Land and sea animals will perish if they do cannot adapt quickly. Nobody will succeed. According to a many land, freshwater, & marine species are relocating to cooler climes or mountainous areas to escape warming. Winter and migration patterns are changing. Even Nevertheless, many species are “in danger of extinction caused by climate change.” Climate change, pollution, & deforestation are speeding up the extinction of vertebrate species.

Acidification Of The Oceans

Climate change threatens maritime habitats. Sourcing some of our surplus chemicals, the oceans are getting acidic Acidification harms calcium carbonate-shelled mollusks, crabs, and corals. This can harm shellfisheries. In 2015, acidification may have cost the Northwest oyster industry around $110. The $1 billion annual oyster, clam, and mollusc harvest threaten seaside towns in 15 countries.

Sea-Level Rise

Polar caps are more vulnerable. And the Arctic’s ice sheets were melting twice as fast also as rest of the earth. There are implications for local wildlife and plants as well as possible sea level rise. As a result, by 2100, entire island nations & large cities like Los Angeles and New York may be threatened.