There were four major glaciations in the history of the Earth, and now mankind lives in the interglacial period. The amateur has a natural question: is there global warming? But the facts speak for themselves. Over the past 150 years, there has been an increase in the average temperature of the climate system of our planet. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the average temperature above the surface of land and the oceans has risen by 0.74 ° C. Let's look into the near future, and imagine the consequences of global warming, based on the conclusions of experts.
Climatic and natural effects of global warming
Melting glaciers
Already the most desperate skeptics have believed that climate change has become a realized reality and global warming will be the greatest catastrophe of mankind.
Melting glaciers is a good example that the process of warming is in full swing. Scientists have calculated that by 2025–2030, Antarctica will be free of ice in the summer. Due to the increase in temperature in the northern latitudes of Russia, permafrost is melting.
Due to the melting of secular ice, there is an increase in sea level. By the end of the 21st century, water can rise 60–92 cm.
By the way, at thebiggest you can find out about the largest glaciers in history.
Precipitation
As a result of warming, redistribution of precipitation occurs. In high and low latitudes, more precipitation began to fall, while in the subtropical and tropical regions the opposite is observed. Where there was a lot of rains, it becomes less.
What threatens such a situation to the world? The first is the increase in the number of natural disasters - floods, hurricanes. A decrease in rainfall in some regions will lead to drought. This is already felt in the increase in the number of natural disasters.
Auspicious days
There is such a concept in meteorology as “favorable days” when the temperature fluctuates between 18-30 ° C with a rainfall of not more than 1 mm of the daily norm.
Now there are an average of 74 such days per year for each region. With the process of further warming, the number of such days will decrease significantly.
Carbon dioxide release
The Arctic is a huge reservoir that holds the largest supply of carbon dioxide. It is known that this particular gas retains heat, creating a greenhouse effect.
The liberation of the poles from the ice will release a large amount of gas, which will begin to warm our Earth even more. It turns out an interconnected process. The ice melts as a result of warming, releasing carbon dioxide, which accelerates the process of temperature increase.
What is the difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic? The most interesting facts on our site thebiggest.ru are collected in this article.
Ocean oxidation
Most of the carbon dioxide produced by mankind is absorbed by the waters of the oceans. Since the end of the 18th century, the ocean has increased its acidity by 30%.
Now there is an increase in the pH level in the ocean, and this process is progressing. Naturally, this negatively affects marine life, and mollusks and corals suffer most in this situation.
Mass extinction
In the photo: Harlequin frog.
The extinction of certain species of animals and plants is a natural evolutionary process. Throughout its history, the earth has survived at least five mass extinctions of animals.
Scientists attribute such disasters to dramatic climate change. Disruption of ecosystems and natural disasters lead to mass death. Some animals are forced to leave their usual habitats, and those who are unable to adapt to new conditions simply die.
Zoologists have already established a direct link between the warming and extinction of the harlequin frog and orange toad.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article about the most interesting facts about frogs.
Ocean conveyor stop
In the oceans, due to the temperature difference, there is a constant difference in the density of water, which is called thermohaline circulation, or simply - the ocean conveyor.
The huge warm water column moves north and rushes to the bottom of the ocean. At this time, cold waters move south, reaching the surface.
Due to temperature changes, such a global conveyor may stop. This will lead to a significant decrease in the temperature of the Atlantic by 10 ° C, the extinction of many ocean species of fish, animals and algae, as well as large crop failures in Europe.
Warming threatens with glaciation
From school, we know that the Gulf Stream carries its warm waters from south to north, obeying the laws of thermohaline circulation. Melting glaciers leads to the cooling of the Gulf Stream, and, consequently, its stop.
Warm waters will no longer heat the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern seas, and this, in turn, will lead to a new glaciation. After warming, a new ice age will come, and the ice will again bind Europe along the Paris-Smolensk-Voronezh line.
Political issues
New world map
Melting glaciers in Greenland will lead to flooding of the northern territories. The danger threatens St. Petersburg, located 6 m below sea level. Venice will be under water. The Netherlands, built on dams, will go under water.
Most of Britain will be flooded, the coastal regions of the United States, the Philippines will disappear, and the Scandinavian countries will turn into small islands in the middle of the ocean.
And this is not the whole picture, because many continental seas and rivers will merge into one continuous ocean.
Threat of war
If some areas of the planet are flooded, then in others the frying will lead to drought, and the land will become unsuitable for living. Massive resettlement will lead to conflicts with the indigenous population, which can lead to a large-scale war.
Such a war for food and land suitable for living can destroy humanity. Many note that the prerequisites for such a turn of events are already being observed due to mass migrations of people from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
The world is changing
Modern society is changing. The catastrophe that threatens humanity is gradually uniting various political formations in front of a common threat.
The United Nations calls to forget about strife in order to unite in the protection of the planet. For example, in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed, obliging states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. And in 1992, the Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted.
Even the church joined in solving the problem. The head of the Vatican said that it is necessary to preserve our common home. And protect the poor. To do this, according to the statement of the Pope, it is worth reducing the level of environmental pollution.
Social impact
Threat of hunger
Global warming is a big threat to humanity's food supply. Due to the extreme heat, the productivity of food crops, especially wheat, rice, soybeans, and corn, which are especially valuable for humans, will decrease significantly.
Scientists predict that the food crisis in Africa, where there is already a shortage of food, will come in 2030.
Crop failures will become a frequent occurrence, and fish resources will be significantly reduced. Without getting the required number of calories, humanity will become more vulnerable to disease.
Cruel world
After conducting a full-scale analysis, the scientists concluded that increasing the temperature by 1 ° C by 20% increases the level of violence. This phenomenon is characteristic of all countries, regardless of mentality and nationality.
The number of riots, fights, violent crimes, a manifestation of intolerance towards each other is increasing. The threat of a great war is brewing.
Public health
The general condition of the world community will worsen significantly. Increasing natural elements will lead to injuries and mass deaths. Mortality from cold will turn into mortality from heat.
Doctors and centers for the prevention of diseases note that an increase in the number of suicides in all countries is associated with warming.
Changing the way of life of peoples
Climatic and natural conditions naturally affect the change in the mentality of peoples, and leads to a change in the usual way of life. This is already noted among the peoples of the Far North, as well as indigenous peoples of other regions of the world.
Big changes will occur in Africa, as the peoples of this continent are less stress tolerant and not adapted to adaptation. They are used to living in established ecosystems, and small changes will lead to a global crisis on the mainland and adjacent islands.
Diseases
Joined in research and doctors. They claim that the number of deadly diseases will increase significantly, especially those transmitted by mosquitoes. Mortality from malaria, dengue fever will increase.
Warming will significantly expand the area of resettlement of malaria mosquitoes. Flooding and waterlogging of previously arid territories will create conditions for increasing their population, so that they can penetrate even the northern part of Europe.
By 2050, the world's population will reach 9 billion, and then as a result of hunger, disease and military conflicts will begin to decline sharply.
Financial loss and issue price
Thebiggest.ru cannot fail to mention the consequences in the economic sector. Already, climate change annually removes about $ 1.2 trillion from the global economy, and in the future, these costs will only increase.
Expert reports operate on scary numbers. Over the past 15 years, the loss of financial markets due to natural disasters has grown by 251%. Damage to countries affected by the cataclysms caused by warming was inflicted in the amount of $ 2.908 trillion.
The main task is to keep the temperature within reasonable limits, since an increase of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius will lead to irreversible processes. To prevent catastrophe, annual investment in the global ecosystem should be approximately $ 2.4 trillion. But the world community is better off spending money so as not to get even greater costs as a result of criminal inaction.
The benefits of global warming
Speaking about the negative consequences, it is worth mentioning about the positive aspects, even if they are few.
- Firstly, melting ice in the Arctic leads to an increase in freight traffic along the Northern Sea Route. Cargo delivery from Asia to Europe, bypassing the Suez Canal, significantly reduces travel time and freight transportation costs.
- Secondly, navigation on the rivers will increase, which will positively affect the cargo flow.
- Thirdly, in countries where severe winters are observed, the period of the heating season will decrease.
Ways to Prevent Global Warming
In conclusion, we will provide several methods that may, if not prevent the process of warming, but significantly slow down. Scientists and public organizations are aware of the danger and offer solutions.
- The first is the rational use of energy by humanity, which will lead to a decrease in the level of greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the ecosystem.
- The second is the transition to alternative energy sources, including in road transport. And if you can, then in the summer you can transfer to a bicycle.
- Third, a reduction in CO2 in the atmosphere. For this, it is necessary to restore forest plantations, rationalize soil treatment, and develop technologies that reduce hazardous gas emissions into the earth’s atmosphere when processing materials. A more thorough approach to the problem of waste disposal of both solid and food products.
Some environmental organizations suggest abandoning the consumption of meat, as well as buying clothes made from furs. They urge not to throw away old clothes, but to hand them in for recycling.
Earth ecological hacking
Skeptical scientists insist that the time for the proposals of ecologists has passed, and it is time to move on to more radical methods.
It is proposed to apply the geoengineering method and throw sulfur particles into the atmosphere, simulating a powerful volcanic eruption. Sulfur will delay the sun's rays, which will lead to a decrease in temperature.
It holds only one radical. It is not known how nature, littered with artificial volcanic ash, will behave. No matter how it gets worse!
Summary
So we learned what global warming is, its causes and consequences. Scientists agree that warming cannot be avoided, but the consequences of global warming can be minimized. Summing up, we note that the gradual warming of the climate on the planet is associated with human economic activity. In different regions of the planet, the consequences will vary, but, in general, all this can lead to a global anthropogenic disaster.
This concludes our article. Thebiggest editors are asking you to write in the comments what other consequences of global warming humanity can expect, in addition to those that we wrote about.
Posted by Valery Skiba