What does climate change affect?

Over 100 years ago from now, worldwide civilization started burning more coal and oils for homes, factories and transportation. Burning these fossil fuels released carbon dioxide* and other green house gases* into the atmosphere. These released gases is making the earth warm more quickly than the past. 

Sea levels

  • Sea levels are rising. During the 20th Century sea levels rose around 15cm ( 6 inches) due to  melting glaciers*. Scientists predict that sea levels may rise to 59 cm ( 23 inches) during the 21st century. This puts coastal communities, wetlands and coral reefs in severe danger.
  •  Warmer waters in more shallow oceans has caused about 25% ( one quarter) of the world's coral death in the last few decades. 

Extreme Droughts

  • Extreme drought are increasing in a rapid rate. Higher temperatures than usual cause a higher rate of evaporation and this obviously  causes more droughts. 
  • Crops are withering. Increasing temperatures and extreme drought are causing a decline of  crop productivity around the world. This may cause lack of nourishment. 

The Weather

  • Ecosystems are altering. As temperatures grow warmer animals may change their habitats to cooler one or they'll eventually die.Species that are vulnerable include coral reefs, endangered species and polar bears. The warmth can also make changes in the offspring events
  • Hurricanes can change within frequency and strength.There is a number of intense hurricanes that hit Atlantic in the 1970's. Scientists continue to study these extreme weather conditions...
  • There will be more frequent heat waves*. It is likely that heat waves have become more common in more areas of the world.

The Human Health

  • Warmer temperatures affect human health. There have been more deaths due to heat waves and more allergy attacks as the pollen season grows longer. There have also been some changes in the ranges of animals that carry disease like mosquitoes.

 

 

Bolded Words*-:

  • Carbon Dioxide*-Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a green house gas. Without carbon dioxide the earth would be could, very cold. Burning things can make lots of carbon dioxide.  Natural fires like forest fires make  CO2.

  •  Green House Gases*-Greenhouse gases include methane, chlorofluorocarbons and carbon dioxide. These gases act as a shield that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere
  • Glaciers*- Glaciers are a huge mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass.
  • Heat Waves*- Unusual hot weather that continues for several days are heat waves.