Global warming has become a major issue around the world. Climatological records show that the global average surface temperature has shown an obvious upward trend in the past 100 years. Overall, the global average temperature in the 1980s was about 0.6 ° C higher than in the second half of the last century. This trend is likely to continue unless effective measures are taken. Preliminary studies show that global warming will cause the northward movement of the temperature zone, which will lead to the corresponding changes in atmospheric activity and global rain. In general, the rain of the existing lands in low latitudes will increase, the snowfall in winter in high latitudes will increase, and the rainfall in summer in mid-latitudes will decrease. For most arid and semi-arid areas, the increase in precipitation is favourable. However, regions with less rainfall, such as central North America and Northwest China, will become arid, and water resources will be tenser due to the reduction of summer rainfall. It is estimated that when the global temperature rises by 1.5 ~ 4.5 ° C, the sea level may rise by 20 ~ 165 cm, taking into account the factors such as the thermal expansion of seawater, the rise of the Antarctic ice cap due to the rise of polar precipitation, and the melting of ice and snow in the Arctic and high mountains. The rise of sea level will undoubtedly change the coastline and greatly influence the coastal areas. At present, the coastal areas with low altitudes will face the danger of being submerged. (Climate Change Evidence)
Ozone depletion:
The direct impact of Global Warming is Ozone Deletion. Over the past ten years, scientists have studied every 1% reduction of ozone in the atmosphere. Ultraviolet radiation to the ground increases by 2%, skin cancer increases by 3% and is also attacked by cataracts, immune system defects, and developmental stagnation. Now, the residents living in Cape Helena, the southern tip of Chile, which is close to Antarctica, have already suffered. As long as they go out of their homes, they have to apply sunscreen and sunglasses to their skin that can’t be covered by their clothes. Otherwise, after half an hour, their skin will be bright pink with itching pain. Sheep often suffer from cataracts and are almost completely blind. It is said that the rabbits there are blind. The hunters can easily take the rabbit ears and take them home. The fresh fish caught in the river are also blind fish. Generally speaking, if the ozone layer is destroyed, the ultraviolet rays of the sun will kill all terrestrial life, human beings will be destroyed, and the earth will become a barren land without any energy. (Holst, 2020) The ozone layer is the protective umbrella of the earth, it can block most of the ultraviolet radiation to the planet, and only a small part can reach the earth’s ground, which ensures the normal growth of animals and plants on the earth’s surface and the emergence of deep land. Without the ozone layer, how can we survive on a planet directly exposed to intense ultraviolet radiation? The ozone layer hole has threatened the survival of humanity.
Acid Rain:
Another major impact is Acid Rain which can greatly reduce the yield of crops, especially wheat. Under the influence of acid rain, the product can be reduced by 13% to 34%. Soybean and vegetable are also easy to be damaged by acid rain, which leads to a decrease in protein content and yield. Under the action of acid rain, the nutrient elements K, Na, Ca, and Mg in the soil will be released and will be leached out with the rain. Therefore, many nutrient elements in the ground will be leached out in the long-term acid rain, resulting in a serious shortage of nutrient elements in the ground and becoming barren. In addition, acid rain can release aluminum from a stable state, increase active aluminum and decrease organic complex aluminum. The increase of active aluminum in the soil will seriously inhibit the growth of trees. Acid rain can inhibit the reproduction of some soil microorganisms and decrease enzyme activity. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria, bacteria, and actinomycetes in the soil are inhibited by acid rain. Acid rain can also increase forest diseases and insect pests. Acid rain is harmful to marine organisms. It acidifies the water quality of many rivers and lakes, leading to the extinction of many acid-sensitive marine organisms, loss of ecological function of lakes, and finally becoming dead lakes. Acid rain also kills plankton and destroys aquatic ecosystems. In addition, acid rain will affect the health of people and animals. The acid of rain and fog will stimulate the eyes, throat, and skin and cause conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and other skin diseases. Acid rain dissolves metal elements existing in soil and rock, flows into rivers or lakes, and finally enters the human body through the food chain, eventually affecting human health. (Coote, 1981)
References
- Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know? (2020, May 27). Retrieved July 26, 2020, from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
- Holst, A. (2020, January 07). Clean Air Act. Retrieved July 26, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Clean-Air-Act-United-States-1970
- Coote, D. R. (1981). The Significance of acid rain to agriculture in Eastern Canada /. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.61947
