The Effects of Global Warming on Environment and Health

Environmental

Global warming effects ecosystems. Some species may need to change their habitats, some may become extinct, and others may get bigger and stronger.

Every region on earth will be effected. However, the changes and interactions are unpredictable. It is thought that the diversity of species will decrease.

Water Scarcity

Increase in extreme weather means that water falls on hard ground which means that soil does not absorb any of it and there is flooding. Warmer weather means more evaporation of water and also shrinking glaciers. It also means an increased demand for water for cooling and drinking water.

Mountains

More than one-tenth of the human population lives in mountains and the mountains cover about one-fourth of the earth's surface. Global change does not only effect the ecosystems in mountains too but will increase the number and strength of forest fires as seen recently in the western United States. I've noticed in the news that the fires recently are bigger, stronger, and harder to maintain/stop than in the past. The amount of water in the mountains will also be effected. Higher temperatures will make snow and ice melt faster in the spring and upset the balance of the ecosystems even more. It will also effect how much fresh water there is for humans and the natural world to use.

Health

The strongest result of climate change would be the effects of the hot temperatures. On very hot days more people die due to heat stroke, heart attacks, and respiratory problems. Hotter temperatures mean higher level of ozone on the ground. This high level of ozone damages lungs and causes problems with people with asthma and other lung diseases.

Higher temperatures in the winter reduce deaths from the cold. This is kind of an interesting paradox.

Global warming also makes many diseases like malaria more widespread in poor countries. In richer countries where there are medicines and pesticides to prevent these diseases there could be an increase in insects carrying diseases. Ticks and sand flies will become more populated.