1. Changes in Rainfall Patterns

We all have seen that floods, droughts, excess rainfall and irregularity of rains became quite frequent in last couple of decades. These are none other than after effects of climate change. While some places receive plenty of rainfall which leads to floods, other places have to face droughts.

2. Increase in Sea Level

Low level areas are more vulnerable as rise in sea level can displace tens of millions of people. Sea level rise as earths up and glaciers are melting during global warming and dump more water into the oceans. In US alone, roughly 100 million people live within 3 feet of mean sea level. People living in small island countries like Maldives are already looking for alternate destinations.

3. Loss of Wildlife Species

Rise in temperature and change in vegetation patterns have forced some bird species to become extinct while others have migrated to some other place. If experts are to be believed, one-fourth of Earth’s species could extinct by 2050. In year 2008, polar bear was added to the list of animals that could become extinct due to rise in sea level.

4. High Temperatures

Due to increase in atmospheric gases by industries and vehicles, the global earth temperature could rise to 3 to 10-degree Fahrenheit by the end of century. The increase in temperature has given rise to increase in deaths that occur due to hot and dry climatic conditions. During last century, earth’s average temperature rose by 1-degree Fahrenheit which in itself is a cause of concern. Research indicates that controlling can reduce temperatures by 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2050.

5. Shrinking of Arctic Ice

Greenhouse gases keep the energy in the atmosphere intact causing the temperature to rise. This is what we commonly refer to as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is essential for the existence of our ecology. However an increase in the greenhouse gases can only lead to harmful effects to the ecology and the environment. Studies conducted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveal that arctic ice decreased by significant percentage in the last 30-40 years. If appropriate steps are not taken, it might go off sight by mid of this century.

6. Stronger Storms and Hurricanes

As earth becomes warmer, the chances of occurring of hurricanes could rise in the future. Not only they will occur frequently but will be more intense, long lasting, stronger winds that have the capability to destroy coastal ecosystems and communities.

7. Prolonged Heat Waves

The constant release of greenhouse gases from all the anthropogenic activities is the foremost factor affecting climate change. Greenhouse gases are emitted from the combustion of fuels, industries, agricultural activities, etc. These gases heat up the atmosphere and increase the air temperature and make it difficult for the people to survive.

8. Spread of Disease and Economic Losses

It is expected that diseases like malaria and dengue fever will rise and will be more difficult to control as mosquitoes find those conditions favorable to spread. Heat waves in the last decade alone may have caused more than 150,000 deaths, as per the data available with World Health Organization (WHO). The rising heat waves has given rise to heat related illness which turned into death for those who were not provided with appropriate medical attention.

9. Shifting Habitat

Deforestation, wildfires heat waves have forced plants and animals to shift towards poles and to higher altitudes. This is not a great news for environmentalist as most of them have started dying as they are not able to adapt to the changing climatic conditions which has actually pushed them towards extinction.

10. Wildfires

Prolonged heat waves caused by climate change have created appropriate hot and dry conditions for wildfires. As a result, deforestation occurs and push wild animals to some more high altitude regions. Animals who could not adapt to new location die and their species become extinct.

A drastic climate change will alter our current setting like agricultural practices, water, weather cycle, power, transportation systems etc.

References: edf , nature , NASA

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