Whether we like it or not, climate change is happening at a blistering pace. To make a long story short, global temperatures are rising and this is causing a lot of crazy effects on our climate and our world. Although there are the obvious effects, like hotter temperatures, there are also some unexpected effects, like more acidic oceans, unpredictable weather, and a much higher rate of diseases like malaria and dengue.
The fact is that the future of our world will depend almost entirely on the policies that we implement and what sorts of measures we take to prevent the climate from changing. If we find more efficient ways to generate power and manage to wean ourselves off of oil, it will mean a much more sustainable future for the generations that come after us.
Nobody can deny that droughts, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, and other crazy weather conditions are becoming far more commonplace than they have been in the past. These are just the beginning. If climate change continues unchecked, it will wreak havoc on the societies that we have constructed for ourselves and change the way we live forever. Having said all of that, these are the 25 Unfortunate Effects Of Climate Change On The World.
More frequent and longer heatwaves are increasing the number of heat related illnesses and deaths. Since cities retain heat, they are especially vulnerable.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaIn spite of being a developed nation, the United States is growing increasingly susceptible to dengue and malaria.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaAlthough sea levels are rising, fresh water availability has been decreasing sharply due to melting ice fields as well as droughts.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaExtreme weather is expected to increase. Tropical storms will occur more often and be more severe.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaIf the climate continues changing the way it has been, by 2050 there will be a significantly reduced number of coral reefs in the ocean.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaWarm, stagnant air in cities is increasing the formation of ground level ozone (smog). This is bad because 126 million Americans already live in counties that do not meet national air quality standards.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaOver the course of the last century, glaciers have been either receding or disappearing completely.
Source: epa.gov, Image: pixabaySome island nations are considering evacuation plans. Tuvalu, for example, already has an agreement with New Zealand specifically for this purpose.
Source: qz.com, Image: wikipediaClimate change is expensive. By 2030, the global economy is projected to take a $700 billion hit due to climate change associated costs.
Source: businessinsider, Image: wikipediaThe allergy season is getting longer. This has an adverse affect on respiratory health.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaHigher temperatures are increasing the spread of food borne diseases such as salmonella.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaIf you like this list, you may also enjoy 25 Powerful Before-and-After Photos Of Our Changing Environment Everyone Needs To See.
Extreme weather and shrinking agricultural output in developing countries is causing more conflicts and displacements.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaDue to changes in the mosquito population, lyme and other diseases are spreading faster and farther.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaAs has been seen in the United States, flooding and wild fires are getting significantly more frequent.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaDroughts are affecting crop production all over the world. Global wheat and maize yields are already declining.
Source: epa.gov, Image: pixabayThings like the opening of shipping lanes in the Arctic due to receding ice might lead to sovereignty issues and international conflicts.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaMany of the changes that the planet is undergoing are irreversible. These include things like the extinction of various species.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaThe expansion of deserts and higher sea levels will lead to demographic and political pressures due to higher levels of human migration.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaMore conflicts like that of Darfur will occur due to strains on resources.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaBy 2050, the arctic will be almost entirely ice free during summer.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaOceans are acidifying due to higher levels of carbonic acid (because of CO2 in the atmosphere). This will have adverse effects for many types of marine life.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaChildren, the elderly, and the poor will experience the worst effects of climate change as they will be unable to cope with the drastic changes in food availability and harsh climate changes.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaBecause of melting ice caps, polar bears are unable to hunt for food (they require ice to hunt for prey). This leads to starvation and a shrinking habitat,
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaIf temperatures predictions are correct, by the end of the 21st century up to 30% of the plant and animal species studied by the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) will be extinct.
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaClimate change will likely polarize society into those who are able to cope (wealthier nations) and those who aren't (poorer nations).
Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipediaNow that you know some of these unfortunate effects, here are 25 Ways To Be Environmentally Conscious.
