Sunday 28 March 2010

Today's Effects of Climate Change

How much warming has happened? Approximately Over 100 years ago, worldwide people began burning more coal and oil for homes, factories, and transportation. Burning these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These added greenhouses gases have caused Earth to warm more quickly than it has in the past.


Scientists from around the world with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tell us that during the past 100 years, the world's surface air temperature increased an average of 0.6° Celsius (1.1°F). This may not sound like very much change, but even one degree can affect the Earth. Below are some effects of climate change that we see happening now.

Sea level becomes rising. During the 20th century, due to melting glacier ice and expansion of warmer seawater, Sea level rose about 15 cm (6 inches) . According to Models prediction that sea level may rise as much as 59 cm (23 inches) during the 21st Century, threatening coastal communities, wetlands, and coral reefs.



Arctic sea ice is melting. Melting ice may lead to changes in ocean circulation. Plus melting sea ice is speeding up warming in the Arctic.


Heavier rainfall is the main cause for flooding in many regions. Warmer temperatures is the reason to more intense rainfall events in some areas. This can cause flooding.


Sea-surface temperatures are warming. Last few decades,Warmer waters in the shallow oceans have contributed to the death of about a quarter of the world's coral reefs.Many of the coral animals died after weakened by bleaching, a process tied to warmed waters.



Ecosystems are changing. As temperatures warm, Species that are particularly vulnerable include endangered species, coral reefs, and polar animals.

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