“I gave you life & now it’s your turn to reciprocate”
Global warming is not just a geophysical phenomenon, the effects of Global Warming are economic, social, and environmental and in coming years will change people's lives in a myriad of ways that we are just beginning to understand. Recognition of this complex interface is answer to enact effective policy on climate change. It continues to effect the whole world and not any particular country. (Read about the Global warming and causes of Global warming here)
The most unprotected continent from Global Warming is Africa. Also, there is a threat to developing nations of succumbing to the consequences of Global Warming, since developed nations have adequately prepared themselves for fighting off any disaster. Small islands and the Arctic area will be affected negatively if there is a rise in temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, whereas above 4 degree Celsius would probably affect the whole world in ways that might trigger mass scale disasters.
Global warming has negatively affected food production due to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Elevated temperatures globally have resulted in extreme weather conditions like storms, drought, floods which in turn leads to other habitation issues and migration of humans and animals as well. With excessive emissions in developing countries the health of people is also affected as it gives rise to more environment issues. In such a condition where there are not enough resources for everyone, it leads to social conflicts for basic amenities like food and clean water.
Let us now discuss the effects of climate change on human lives and society as a whole and why climate change is a social issue, not just an environmental one.
Social Consequences of Global Warming
- Migration
Small islands, especially in developing states will be vulnerable since they are at the forefront of feeling the effects of Global warming. Many communities will be forced to migrate as they will be exposed to the rising sea levels. Also, due to severe drought which puts strain on resources, or even heavy downpour are consequences of global warming. The entire nation of Kiribati, a small island state in the Pacific, is expected to become uninhabitable due to sea level rise. In 2014, Fiji's village Vunidogoloa, became the first community to relocate and moved 1 km further inland as a part of the country's Global Warming program as the sea levels had already breached the coastal line. In small islands and mega deltas, inundation might take place as sea level rise is expected to threaten vital infrastructure & human settlements. This could lead to issues of homelessness in countries with low-lying areas such as Bangladesh. - Agriculture and Food Supply
Global Warming will affect the food production capacities and capabilities as it will totally disrupt the proper functioning of the ecological system. As a result of elevated Carbon Dioxide in the air, elevated temperatures, altered rainfall and evapotranspiration regimes, increased occurrence of extreme events, modified weeds, pests, and pathogen pressure will be consequences faced by us. Low-latitude areas are at highest risk of having decreased crop yields. Even the areas above the sea levels will see drastic climate changes which will alter the crop production patterns. - Health
Children and the elderly are also more susceptible to the health concerns associated with global warming. Heat-related ailments due to higher temperatures, undernourishment because of amplified strain on food supplies/increased costs, and diseases associated with increased flooding. Where farmers don’t have equal access to land, capital, and other resources, they have trouble to get climate resistant technology or plants. There are psychological and physical impacts that are visible. Various climate related diseases have started fostering and researchers around the world are wary of various new cases of deformities being reported whose causes are unexplained at this moment. - Infrastructure
Developing nations struggle with absence of infrastructure, restricted technological and economic resources, which hinder their capacity to adapt. These nations depend upon scarce resources and deal with high rates of poverty and income inequality, which are exacerbated with global warming. Public funds to be used towards education will be spent on sea walls, increased irrigation, or storm water systems to adapt. This may lead to straining of existing infrastructure. - Water Resources
Global warming is also affecting water bodies and resulting in changes in precipitation, the cryosphere and surface water. Due to changes in temperature resulting in changed sea level and precipitation variability there is an anticipated impact on the freshwater systems of the world. The rise in sea level is turning groundwater and estuaries saline thereby declining our freshwater resources and also their quality for humans and ecosystems.
Read More :
Pros and Cons of Tidal Energy
Benefits of Hydroelectric energy
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