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Global warming is the gradual increase in the overall
temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon
is caused by the greenhouse effect, which results from
an increase in the level of carbon dioxide and other
pollutants known as greenhouse gases. Various factors
contribute to global warming, such as industrialization
and development. Thinkers and scientists have conducted
studies and presented various alternatives to reduce and
prevent this continuous temperature increase. However,
some individuals view this matter lightly and prioritize
their personal interests over the interests of humanity.
Therefore, it is important to explore the effects of
global warming on the environment, which is the only
habitat for human life.
One of the effects that can be seen by the naked eye is
the melting of ice at both poles, the North and South
Pole. The increase in global temperature has caused snow
and glacier covers in mountainous areas to melt at a
drastic and worrying rate. This event directly leads to
the rise of sea levels year after year. If this
phenomenon continues, various areas that are currently
popular habitats for humans will be submerged.
Scientists have predicted that cities such as New York
in the United States and Osaka in Japan will face the
threat of flooding due to rising sea levels. This is
because their geographical location, being low and open
to the vast ocean, will cause millions of residents to
lose their homes and jobs. The environment will also be
affected when agricultural areas that use waterways such
as rivers or nearby lakes will be flooded.
Furthermore, global warming has already led to wildfires
occurring in some high-risk areas. For example, in
January 2020, bushfires burned almost the entire
conservation forest area, which is a habitat for koalas,
in Australia. More than 5,000 koalas have died as a
result of the forest fires, and it is something beyond
our control as humans. These animals, which are an icon
of Australia, are almost endangered due to the forest
fires. Ultimately, continuous global warming will
threaten and cause the extinction of living habitats,
especially animals.
Global warming will also cause droughts in certain
areas. Although small changes in temperature, rainfall,
and sunlight occur, this phenomenon can severely affect
agricultural yields. For example, fertile land becomes
barren and unsuitable for agricultural activities.
Plants cannot grow properly, thereby reducing
agricultural yields and threatening the world's food
supply. In addition, the dryness of surface water
sources or drought events causes the convection process
to have no water vapor to form thick clouds to bring
rain. These weather changes result in long-term drought
and increased global temperatures. As a result, rainfall
decreases, the air becomes dry, and the environment
becomes hotter.
The primary effect of global warming is a change in the
world's climate. Due to continuous warming, the climate
will change and produce new weather patterns that will
last for a long time. For example, heatwaves have
occurred in European areas, and they may become
permanent weather patterns if no action is taken to
combat climate change. It will also cause a large
migration of animals to search for new habitats to
continue their lives. |
