The Effects of Increased Emissions

With rising temperatures, local climates are changing. While some argue that this will be beneficial, especially with longer growing seasons for the agricultural industry, the results are the opposite.

• As temperatures rise, the polar ice caps melt, increasing the amount of fresh water in the oceans. This increase of fresh water upsets the balance of sodium levels in the ocean and interferes with ocean currents. If this trend continues, the Gulf Stream will be disrupted and warm water and air will no longer flow to Northern Europe. Without the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, Northern Europe could plunge into a deep freeze while the rest of the world continues to warm.

• Additionally, as glaciers and polar ice caps melt, they cause sea level to rise. This could prove devastating to places with low elevations such as New York City and Bangladesh as well as parts India and China. A rise in sea level would cause mass migration and displacement, placing strain on the global economy.

• Global Warming makes weather more severe. Not only will summers get warmer, but winters will get colder. There will be more evaporation, and an uneven distribution of precipitation, causing floods in some areas and droughts in other. This disrupts agriculture and food production worldwide.

• Another dangerous trend caused by Global Warming are more powerful storms. This means an increase in the strength and frequency of hurricanes and tornadoes.