| What
could happen if the climate changes?
By increasing the
amount of "heat-trapping" gases we are adding to the warming
effect of the natural atmospheric greenhouse. This could warm the planet
and have a huge effect on all forms of life.
Global sea levels
could rise due to several factors, including the melting of ice and
glaciers. Rising sea levels could damage coastal regions through flooding
and erosion. The climate of various regions could change too quickly
for many plant and animal species to adjust.
Harsh weather conditions,
such as heat waves and droughts, could also occur more often and be
more severe.
In
what ways do we contribute to climate change?
Today,
more and more, we rely on our cars and trucks to move us around and to
move our products from place to place. We also experience very cold winters,
so we burn a lot of fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas to keep our
homes, offices and schools warm. However, we use much more energy than
we really need.
So
what's wrong with warmer temperatures?
For many of us, warmer temperatures might not seem like such a bad thing.
However:
More
severe weather conditions like droughts due to storms, tornadoes and erosion
in coastal regions, will affect our forests.
Climate
change could also affect our health and well being.
Many
larger cities could experience a significant rise in the number of extremely
hot days.
Air
pollution problems would increase; placing children, the elderly and people
suffering from respiratory problems at a greatest risk.
Increases
in molds and pollens due to warmer temperatures could also cause respiratory
problems, such as asthma, for some people. |
