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Global warming- Effects
Measurement of global warming

 You have probably noticed that deforestation is a major cause of global warming. You must be wondering how scientists give predictions of the threats posed by global warming. They use elaborate computer models of temperatures, precipitation patterns and atmosphere circulation to study global warming.

Climate change

 Climate change affects everyone. Have you noticed that the soil is drying out faster after a heavy rainfall? Or have you witnessed your beautiful landscape garden falling victim to the scorching heat, with flowers withering away? This is due to the climate change brought about by global warming. Recurrent heat waves, droughts and floods are some other consequences of global warming.

Plants and animals are also not spared of the adverse effects of global warming. Forests are affected by ecosystem changes. The flora and fauna may not be able to adapt and they may face extinction.

Global warming also causes the polar caps to melt. Low lying land may eventually become flooded as the sea level rises. There will be more storms and hurricanes. Polar bears could be threatened. When snow and ice melt, their ability to reflect sunlight is lost. This escalates global warming even further. Do go to the section on interaction on "Crazy Weather" to find out more.

Hurricanes

 Do you know how hurricanes are formed? Hurricanes are formed from simple tropical storms over the ocean. When the water from the warmer ocean evaporates, it heats up the surrounding air and hurricanes are formed. The most peaceful point of a hurricane is its centre, the eye of the hurricane. The greatest winds and rainfall is found on the eye wall.

Melting of polar ice caps

 Polar ice caps will melt as the earth warms. Oceans become warmer and sea levels will rise due to the melting of these ice caps. Flooding will occur in low lands and coasts.

Drought
Droughts occur when rainfall is scarce and not able to support agriculture.
Agriculture

Global warming causes the globe to become warmer. However, certain areas may benefit from a warmed globe while other areas may suffer.

Southern Canada may benefit from more rain and a longer growing season. Furthermore, countries growing temperate fruits may change to growing tropical fruits.

It is a possibility that pests and insects from tropical countries may eventually migrate to temperate countries.
Global warming causes snow on snow capped mountains to melt
(Photograph taken by Dr Tan Yoke Lin)
Animals And Plants

 Global warming affects both plants and animals as well. As the earth warms up, some species may have to move to different region which is more favourable. If they cannot adapt to these new environments, they will eventually die out. You may like to know more by going to the interesting section in interaction on "Unbearably Hot! "

Human Health

 How about your health? Is it also affected by global warming? More people will suffer from heat strokes. Diseases that originate from tropical regions may eventually spread to the temperate regions due to climate change. For example, mosquito-carried diseases such as malaria will spread to temperate countries.

Sources:
Global warming. (2007, December 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:48, December 27, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_warming&oldid=180384636

ETE Team. (April 28,2005). how are hurricanes formed. Retrieved: 18 March, 2008. Website: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/sevweath/swhoware.html

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