Global Warming and its Effects on the Environment

There is no doubt that global warming is a serious issue we are facing in today’s world. The effects and proof that has been found throughout the years of research is conclusive. Global warming is effecting our environment and the way we live, it is something that must be addressed immediately and taken very seriously. Destructions’ of our ecosystems, Loss of biodiversity, droughts all over the world, floods and storms are only a few of the very many issues that is a cause of global warming. What is global warming? Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that are collecting in the atmosphere are forming a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution, they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually. So what does global warming impact, and are we seeing these impacts in everyday life? The following is a list of effects of global warming and how it is effecting our environment.
1. Rising Seas- inundation of fresh water marshlands (the everglades), low-lying cities, and islands with seawater.
2. Changes in rainfall patterns - droughts and fires in some areas, flooding in other areas. See the section above on the recent droughts, for example!
3. Increased likelihood of extreme events- such as flooding, hurricanes, etc. (Happening all over the world in an increasing number.)
4. Melting of the ice caps - loss of habitat near the poles. Polar bears are now thought to be greatly endangered by the shortening of their feeding season due to dwindling ice packs.
5. Melting glaciers - significant melting of old glaciers is already observed.
6. Widespread vanishing of animal populations - following widespread habitat loss.
7. Spread of disease - migration of diseases such as malaria to new, now warmer, regions.
8. Bleaching of Coral Reefs due to