Global warming predominantly ascribed to the rising concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) stemming from anthropogenic activities that include deforestation, industrial processes and the combustion of fossil fuels, is leading to changes in climate. The ramifications are extensive, both qualitatively and quantitively and are already observable across the globe. Below is an in-depth discussion of the ramifications of global warming on climate:
Average Temperature Rise Globally:
Since the late 19th century, average surface temperature on Earth has increased by about 1.1°C and the last few decades have been the warmest in modern history. The prevailing cause of this is due largely to human caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other GHGs.
Global warming is increasing heatwave frequency and intensity, especially in places where hot weather is already common. With cities and countries across the globe breaking high temperature records, this creates widespread potential for heat related health impacts, increased energy consumption, and even mortality.
1. Global Temperatures are Rising
More Intense and Frequent Extreme Weather Events
Global warming is causing more extreme weather events that are intense and/or frequent, as well as often with unpredictable durations, which also adversely impacts ecosystems, economies, and communities around the globe.
Heatwaves and Droughts
Heatwaves and Droughts
Increasing temperatures increase the probabilities of droughts, especially in arid and semi-arid places. Extended periods of high temperature can lead to water scarcity upon which humans depend: decreases in agricultural productivity and an increased potential for wildfires.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding:
Warmer air pushes an increased quantity of water vapor into the atmosphere that will ultimately fall as precipitation. This leads to increased high intensity such that extreme flooding events are more frequent, especially in areas where monsoons and/or seasonal heavy rainfall occur. Ill-managed urban development with inadequate to poor drainage can result in flash floods.
- Melting of Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers
Melting of Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers
A key manifestation of global warming is melting polar ice caps and glaciers, which is primarily occurring in the polar region of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Glacial Retreat:
Across the world, glaciers are shrinking at unprecedented rates, from the Himalayas to the Andes, posing a risk to the freshwater supplies they provide to millions of people, particularly in South Asia due to their reliance on glacial meltwater.
Arctic Sea Ice Loss:
The effects of global warming are particularly pronounced in the Arctic, where warming is estimated to be greater than two times the global average in some places, resulting in significant declines in sea ice. The decline of Arctic sea ice is concerning for multiple reasons including a rise in global sea levels, a decline in Arctic ecosystems (affecting species such as polar bears and seals), and changes to ocean circulation patterns.
Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets:
Additional concern comes from the mass loss that is occurring in the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which will contribute to sea level rise. Specifically, the ice sheets, if melted completely, contain enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by several meters over time. As a result, the melting of these ice sheets represents a concerning situation.
Conclusion
Global warming will have a wide array of consequences on climate systems that will connect in a comprehensive atmosphere, generating a cascade of climatic reactions across Earth’s ecosystems. Global warming will cause rising global temperatures, extreme weather events become more common, regional ice caps ice will melt, precipitation patterns will begin changing, and much more; the impacts of a warming Earth will be felt across ecosystems, human societies, and economies. Global warming will worsen without decisive action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and level out the changes in climate systems.
