What You Need To Know About The Effects Of Global Warming
The effects of global warming are everywhere in the news these days and rightfully so! It’s important to understand how it’s affecting our health, travel, and of course, the future of our children’s lives.
Global warming is an imminent crisis in our world today and an existential threat as well.
Global Warming An Existential Threat?
Sure, we all heard about the effects of global warming, but do you really understand them? Have you asked yourself what you can do to prevent further damage to our globe?
On a personal note, that’s the very question I ask myself daily. Empowering yourself with knowledge is of utmost importance, too.
As an asthma sufferer, I’m particularly concerned about the effects of global warming on my health.
When I suffer from a bad attack, I must use an EpiPen – I’m sure you have heard about them.
In case you don’t know. The experts over at Click Pharmacy describe the EpiPen has an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) designed for the emergency treatment of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
The symptoms of anaphylactic shock include breathing difficulties, swelling of the tongue, mouth or throat, wheezing, and collapse and unconsciousness.
Every year, I grow more and more concerned about our air quality and how it affects us all especially because of my asthma.
It’s scary stuff for sure. In order to empower ourselves about the effects of global warming, it’s important to understand what it is doing to our health and, of course, our planet too.
What Exactly Is Global Warming?
In this article, we’re going to go over some of the key points about the effects of global warming. Moreover, how it’s affecting our health, travel, and what we can do about it.
This phenomenon presents a growing danger to the earth, but it has never posed a more severe threat than it does today.
Currently, this phenomenon presents a growing danger to the earth, but it has never posed a more severe threat than it does today.
There are certain gases like carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants called greenhouse gases, present in the earth’s atmosphere.
Conversely, these gases allow light to pass through but keep heat trapped around the planet, like the glass walls of a greenhouse.
The greenhouse effect refers to the warming that happens due to this trapped heat.
This gradual increase in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere and commonly referred to as global warming.
The industrial activities of humans have released these heat-trapping gases and caused most of the warming seen in the past century. The levels of these gases are higher now than ever before.
The Effects Of Global Warming
So, the earth’s atmosphere is getting warmer, but what’s the big deal? Global warming is a huge deal!
For example, it potentially threatens life on earth as we know it. Some effects already being observed are rising sea levels, melting ice and glaciers, and a general increase in temperatures of the ocean leading to problems like skin burn and cancer.
A study published in Nature in 2016 stated that sea levels will rise by up to six feet! And the planet will likely still heat up by two degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, even if all carbon emissions drop to zero.
More importantly, the past four years were some of the hottest years in recorded history. Wildlife is unable to keep pace with the drastic climate changes.
Of course, this means various natural ecosystems are dying slowly. These disappearing ecosystems have a direct impact on human life.
If all of this seems very distant and you feel that global warming does not affect your daily life, think again!
It influences even as simple a thing as your choice in holiday destinations.
In fact, according to this article by the Pew Research Center, a team of international economists predicts that the projected rise in temperature globally will cause several popular tourist destinations that are warm-up.
Consequently, other cooler vacation places will grow warmer in the next hundred years or so.
Below, we mention some of the various famous holiday spots drastically affected by global warming.
Rio de Janeiro
This gorgeous holiday destination in Brazil draws in its visitors by virtue of its attractive beaches like those at Copacabana.
However, scientists found that even a 3-degree Celsius rise in global temperature means these beaches will experience rising ocean levels. This will also be the fate of other parts of the city that lay farther inland.
The Great Barrier Reef
This 1,400-mile-long reef is located off the northeast coast of Australia. It draws in hordes of snorkelers and scuba divers each year that want to explore its underwater majesty. It is the largest coral reef system in the world.
Rising ocean temperatures have not spared this spectacular tourist spot.
Sadly, its corals turning white (a phenomenon called coral bleaching) in vast portions of the reef, causing coral mortality rates to shoot to 50 percent. This means that up to half the living corals have died from bleaching.
The Maldives
Famous for its luxurious beaches and overwater villas, the Maldives is a much-loved holiday destination for people from all over the world.
However, this popular chain of islands is especially susceptible to rising oceanic waters from global warming because it is the lowest-lying country on earth.
It is only six feet above sea level, and if water levels continue to rise. Unfortunately, predicted in a matter of decades, the Maldives looks like it will utterly be uninhabitable.
The Alps
Most frequented by skiers from around the world that come to experience the grand slopes of this well-known European mountain range, the Alps, too, have fallen victim to global warming.
Significant snowmelt as a result of their lower altitude coupled with increasing temperatures has caused the progressive shortening of the winter sports season.
As a matter of fact, in 2017, it was a whole 38 days shorter since1960. Many resorts have realized this and have begun to offer horseback riding and other outdoor activities to compensate for the disappearing snow.
Nevertheless, experts say that if the melting continues, the glaciers could completely disappear by the year 2050.
Cape Town
This coastal city in South Africa – once a bustling hub for tourists but now declared a disaster zone after experiencing severe and recurrent droughts over the past years
Sadly, because of the water shortage, the survival projections grow stark. The government recently forced to impose strict water rationing to avoid running out of water.
Venice
This charming Italian city attracts visitors from all over the world for its reputation as ‘The Floating City’.
But with rising ocean levels, flooding has become commonplace, and the so-called city of canals is sinking-fast. It may become unsuitable for living in by the end of the century.
The Consequences
For all these reasons, the consequences and effects of global warming are alarming and potentially disastrous!
Certainly, these alarming occurrences are only small indications of the problems that global warming will bring about if it continues.
Ideally, whichever destination you choose to travel to, be sure to pack a first aid kit and any over-the-counter medications you might need on your holiday.
As the planet continues to suffer from the effects of global warming, you’ll always want to be fully prepared.
We can and will experience global events like natural disasters, extreme heat, spreading diseases, allergens, and other medical conditions.
Always stay well-informed about the effect of global warming by reading and researching. It’s up to us to do what we can and of course, that means recycling too.
The impact of global warming on our cities grows worse every year. Stay informed and we can all act responsibly!
Don’t Forget To Read Recycling at Home Is Easy With 11 Ideas You Need To See, too!
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