What is the threat of global warming?

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Climatologists around the world are constantly releasing studies that are scary in their conclusions. Melting glaciers, mass extinction of animals, deforestation, fires. Is this all awaiting us in the future?

As global temperatures rise, Earth's weather patterns will change dramatically. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that today climate change is killing 150,000 people a year. And it will only get worse …

Unfortunately, most people still don't believe in the dire consequences of global warming. It may take time for them to change their minds, although the Earth does not have it.

Let's take a look at what exactly makes global warming so deadly to humans.

Extreme weather conditions

Tornadoes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tsunamis - this is just the beginning! NASA's climate models predict that an increase in the Earth's average temperature means more severe storms, heavy rains, destructive hail, deadly lightning and an increased tornado potential. Over the past century, the number of annual hurricanes has more than doubled, and scientists blame the rise in ocean temperatures.

Of course, the citizens of richer countries who do not live on the shores of the seas and oceans will find it a little easier. But this means that those people who can no longer exist in their country will begin to actively migrate. We propose to look at the terrible cataclysms that have become the deadliest in the history of mankind (alas, they may repeat themselves).

Hellish heat

It would be strange to talk about the effects of global warming without mentioning the unbearable temperatures. For many regions, this will mean an increase in the number of fires and droughts. In such conditions, water will evaporate faster, which will provoke its deficiency for agricultural activities and livestock.

Scientists also warn that global warming will lead to an increase in deaths from cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Young children and the elderly will be especially vulnerable as they are more sensitive to high temperatures.

Problems with food production

Drought and storms will severely affect production. The work of the International Institute for Strategic Research has shown that 65 countries will lose more than 15% of their agricultural production by 2100. Scientists also predicted that some regions of the world would become desert-like, such as the southwestern United States. Since agriculture will be difficult, it will greatly affect the raising of livestock.

In addition to reducing meat consumption, fish will also disappear from many people's plates. Ocean acidification and rising temperatures will affect the reproduction of marine animals.

Wildlife Attacks

When the planet warms up, we won't be the only ones left without food. Wild animals will seek new sources of food in the suburbs and cities. Scientists note that already now it is possible to notice changes in the behavior of bears, whose hibernation regime is disrupted due to warming, this makes them unusually aggressive.

Poor air quality

According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for more than 4 million premature deaths a year. As temperatures rise, the situation will only get worse. Scientists say that deaths from smog could rise by 80% over the next 20 years. In addition, climate change is increasing ground-level ozone levels, which are particularly harmful to the lungs. In addition, a 2004 Harvard study found that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to the development of allergies and asthma.

Lack of clean water

We have already mentioned that droughts will evaporate water, in addition, floods and air pollution from smog and volcanic ash will affect the quantity and quality of drinking water. All this will pollute water sources, making them unsafe. Human migrations will also affect the quality of water, as they will increase the amount of waste in different regions.

Diseases

An increase in global temperatures will have a bad effect on humans, but will delight mice, rats and insects that carry diseases. Heat-loving insects such as ticks and mosquitoes live mainly in tropical regions, but now … in the hot world of the future, they will live longer, migrating further north every year. Many diseases carried by insects are still poorly understood. For example, humanity still does not have a vaccine for dengue fever, which causes internal bleeding.

War

Access to food and clean water can spark new wars as parts of the world become uninhabitable. Most of the population will live in refugee camps. A study by aid group Christian Aid estimates that global warming is one of the main reasons the number of refugees worldwide will surpass a billion by 2050.