Global Warming

Over the last two decades, scientist have been involved in a race to prove that the phenomenon known as global warming exists and could drastically affect human life in the coming decades. The need to offer hard facts stemmed from the criticism the environmental community has received from politicians and naysayers who believe that an ulterior motive is integrated into the message of cleaning up the environment. Here is how global warming will affect human life in near future.

As earlier stated, global warming is caused by carbon dioxide and greenhouse emission produced in large quantities by human activities. These activities include the burning of fossil fuel in our vehicles, industries and homes, and the massive deforestation occurring in rural areas to provide building materials, paper and fuel for human consumption.

This abuse of the earth’s resources has led to increased emission rates, trapped heat and an overall increase in the earth’s temperature by 0.85 degree centigrade in the 21st century. The increase in temperature also has its adverse effects on the world’s climate and has led to irregular weather conditions worldwide. Due to climate change, rivers and oceans now overflow their banks leading to flooding of farms which are the sources of food and revenue for rural communities.

The result has been widespread malnutrition, mosquito population growth, and increase in malaria-related deaths and the spread of waterborne diseases which drastically reduces the quality of life in rural areas. Urban areas are also not left out, as irregular weather conditions have led to heat waves which have been responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths on a yearly basis. Wildfires are another by-product of a changing climate and they have led to displacements, disillusionment and anxiety among people who have been caught up in their part.