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Effects of Global Warming on Water Resources |
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Both the environment and the human lives are being adversely affected by the
phenomenon of global warming. The effects of global warming is myriad and
numerous. Several researches were conducted by different organizations and all
of them revealed that global warming is increasing at an alarming rate.
Water Resources impact
The effects of global warming are vast and cover every sphere of one’s life.
Both the nature and the living beings are suffering from the effects of global
warming. If we do not take note of the alarming rate of growing global warming
then our earth might cease to exist someday. The water resources have been
heavily affected by the global warming phenomenon. Sea levels have risen,
glaciers retreats are taking place often and the most harmful affect is the
shrinking of the Arctic Circle. This phenomenon has caused concerns among all
the sectors and geo-engineering is considered to be a way of mitigation.
If we put it simply then the water bodies would be affected during the long and
scorching summers since the rate of evaporation would increases with hotter
summers. Water cycle is important for any kind of human activity and global
warming would adversely affect this cycle causing a topsy turvy in the human
activities as well as the climactic changes. Global warming might also lead to
floods. The water levels in many regions would lower due to excessive
evaporation and this would cause in torrential downpours increasing the chance
of deluge.
The acceleration in the phenomenon of global warming has caused the ice sheets
in the West Antarctic Circle and Greenland to shrink. Carbon sediments have been
released in the air and due to the increase of carbon emission the reduction in
the ice sheets has taken place. This reduction might cause a huge flood around
the world. By the end of twenty first century the water in the sea is expected
to rise by 7.1- 23.2 inches. Due to the augmentation of global warming effects
the Thermohaline circulation might as well get disrupted. The fresh water from
the Polar Regions would interrupt the Gulf Stream causing this distress. The
implication of a change of course of the gulf stream would have worldwide effect
that would drastically accelerate climate change and extremes.
The imbalance created in the water cycle by global warming has far reaching
effects. Some places on the earth would face extreme temperatures along with
torrential rainfall while others would face scarcity of water and drought. In
fact, according to the scientists this phenomenon of global warming might even
cause desertification in the extreme Tropical areas like Africa.
The glacier rich areas like Western North America, Asia, Alps, Indonesia and
Africa are suffering badly due to global warming. The melting of glaciers in
these regions has raised concerns regarding the increase in water levels. Ocean
circulation also suffers due to global warming. The oceans act as the absorber
of carbon dioxide and when it reaches the saturation point it fails to absorb
any more carbon dioxide. As a result the ocean surface becomes warm.
Acidification of ocean is caused due to the concentration of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere. This is an indirect effect of global warming causing distress to
people worldwide. The rise in sea level would cause infiltration of the saline
water into the groundwater. This will pose as a potential danger for the health
of the living organisms.
Impact on human activity
Water is essential for human existence. It is also used for various other
purposes like generating electricity from the hydro electrical power plants.
These hydroelectricity plants require the water current which is derived from
the fast flowing rivers. But with the increase in global warming the rivers are
unable to maintain their flow causing a decline in the production of
electricity. Water levels in reservoirs and aquifers are also decreasing due to
the increase in global warming. This would lead to grave consequences at homes
and workplaces as well as the agricultural sector of the different countries.
Hence, we should sit up and take note of this predicament that is threatening
our existence. Only our joint endeavor would help our race to survive the threat
of global warming.
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