Consequences of Global Warming

Reviews the consequences of global warming by the latest reports

Global warming is no more a matter of hair splitting debate; it is now an accepted fact. In its last report NRDC has presented its findings which confirm the fears that have been expressed by the scientific community for long about the disastrous consequences of global warming. What has been reported by NRDC is only a confirmation of the feared results of global warming mainly on basis of data related to the United States.

Average temperature rise on the earth since 1900 was found to be about 1°C. Some areas of the United States have shown an increase of 2 °C; the last three 5 year periods have been the warmest. A recent NASA report stated that five warmest years of the earth during the last century occurred in the last eight years; 2005 was the warmest followed by 1998, 2002, 2003 & 2004 in severity. NRDC reports that out of the 20 hottest years of the earth, 19 have been since 1980.

Sea levels are rising, partly due to thermal expansion caused by higher temperature of the ocean water and partly due to melting ice. Sea level is rising at three times the historical rate. It has risen by 10 to 20 cms. in the past century and unless the trend reverses, is estimated to rise by 45 to 90 cms. by 2100. This increase of about one meter in sea level, it is feared, will trigger one of the worst disasters for mankind globally.

It was feared that as consequences of global warming, glaciers and snowcaps will melt. NRDC has reported that Glacier National Park is receding fast; frozen lakes are seen to be thawing earlier. NASA has reported that Arctic ice thickness has decreased by 40 % since 1960 and Polar ice cap is melting at about 10 % per decade.

Hurricane draws its energy from the warm ocean waters and it was feared that frequency as well as severity of hurricanes and storms will increase. NRDC reports that Category 4 & 5 storms have greatly increased over the last 35 years.

Warmer climate has caused near drought conditions in many parts of the world. United States faced the worst drought in the last 40 years in the period 1998 to 2002. Warmer climate causes greater evaporation. Due to drier forests combined with higher temperatures, the United States experienced the worst wildfires in 50 years in the period 1998 to 2002.

In 1998 and in 2002, some areas in the United States had exceptional rainfalls or flooding.

More than 20,000 people in Europe died due to extreme heat waves in 2003. More than 1500 deaths were reported from India.

Disease carrying mosquitoes are spreading to newer areas due to warmer climate. Dengue carrying mosquitoes which normally used to be limited to an altitude of 3300 feet are now found even at elevations of 7500 feet. 

It has been feared that global warming is likely to take its toll on the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Many species of birds and animals are going to find it difficult to adjust to the rapidly deteriorating climate; the climatic conditions as well as the environments in which they live are either going to deteriorate fast or are going to be extinct. Their own survival also is at stake. Even forests are going to be devastated; Alpine forests and many of the mangrove forests are already facing extinction. In the Antarctica penguin population has shrunk by 33 % in the last 25 years.

NRDC report only confirms the depressing consequences of global warming!