Climate Change and Global Warming

Causes
Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning power plants Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply Burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry Carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline for transportation Our modern car culture and appetite for globally sourced goods is increasing. With population growing at an alarming rate, the demand for more cars and consumer goods means that we are increasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation and manufacturing. Our consumption is outpacing our discoveries of ways to mitigate the effects, with no end in sight to our massive consumer culture33% of emissions in the U.S come from burning Gasoline for transportation. Methane emissions from animals, agriculture such as rice paddies, and from Arctic sea beds Methane is another extremely potent greenhouse gas, ranking right behind CO2. When organic matter is broken down by bacteria under oxygen-starved conditions as in rice paddies, methane is produced. The process also takes place in the intestines of herbivorous animals, and with the increase in the amount of concentrated livestock production, the levels of methane released into the atmosphere is increasing. Another source of methane is methane clathrate, a compound containing large amounts of methane trapped in the crystal structure of ice As methane escapes from the Arctic seabed, the rate of global warming will increase significantly. Deforestation, especially tropical forests for wood, pulp, and farmland The use of forests for fuel (both wood and for charcoal) is one cause of deforestation, but in the first world, our appetite for wood and paper products, our consumption of livestock grazed on former forest land, and the use of tropical forest lands for commodities like palm oil plantations contributes to the mass deforestation of our world. Forests remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and this deforestation releases large amounts of carbon, as well as reducing the amount of carbon capture on the planet.

Increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands In the last half of the 20th century, the use of chemical fertilizers (as opposed to the historical use of animal manure) has risen dramatically. 8u90 Nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere has contributed greatly to global warming Nitrogen oxides have 300 times more heat-trapping capacity per unit of volume than carbon dioxide

Climate Change and Global Warming

Effects
Positive Social
Fewer deaths or injuries due to cold weather With less chill to affect the residents in cool countries like Russia, USA and Canada elderly population have less to worry about as they will not likely die due to chill.

Negative Social
Great temperature variations Africa no means to lessen the impact by less rainfall and extreme weather conditions mal nutrition and starvation deaths warmer climates will encourage migration of disease-bearing insects like mosquitoes and malaria spread of diseases and epidemics. Insurance industry Changing weather variations increases the risks of households and properties by 2-4% annually claims for storm and flood compensations have become so high that peoples are unable to even afford such insurances social instability . Flooding of coastal cities climate refugees in Maldives melting of massive ice sheets on Antarctica and Greenland rising sea levels on the east coast of US social unrest. Decrease of arable land Low productivity of agriculture low importing and exporting low productivity lower economic prowess. Warming of ice-capped regions rise in water level destruction of marine life harm on fishing industry low output lower purchasing power of country Rice paddies are being inundated with salt water, which destroys the crops low output low economic growth Arid climate not congenial for people's growth poor health and various diseases harms potential and leads to waste of human resources increased cost of labour not attracting investors and MNCs low productivity and economic prowess Great temperature variations disasters damages infrastructures road cave ins more human resources needed to renew and maintain these systems money is needed to repair the damages and to treat and control and conflicts

Economic

Melting of Ice Caps Arctic trade routes open up Shorter time to travel from S.Korea to Norway cuts time by half from 30 days by ship more brisk economic exchanges more trading and job opportunities. High agricultural output for some countries UK warmer summers over recent years due to GW has lead to major growth in vineyards more jobs people earn more higher purchasing power of country

Economic

Climate Change and Global Warming

Political
Boundary disputes between countries over low-lying islands will disappear.

Political

Extreme weather conditions When flash floods and heavy rains cause massive evacuations and migration patterns that often cross state borders this migration will in turn create turmoil in neighbouring countries that will be forced to accommodate necessary and rapid population growth. Lack of daily necessities Developing countries, some of which are already embroiled in military conflict, may be drawn into larger and more protracted disputes over water, energy supplies or food

Environm ental

Greener Trees Greener rainforests and enhanced plant growth in the Amazon, increased vegetation in northern latitudes and possible increases in plankton biomass in some parts of the ocean

Environm ental

Decrease of arable land Low productivity of agriculture Increase of temperature on the earth about 3 to 5 C (5.4 to 9 Fahrenheit) by the year 2100 increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of other extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and tornadoes. Further increase in temperature Global warming melts the ice caps gone Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colours absorb sunlight, further warming the Earth.