Global Warming

A study, by scientists at the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that 154,000 people die every year from the effects of global warming. These numbers could almost double by 2020."We estimate that climate change may already be causing in the region of 154,000 deaths...a year,".

When the climate changes, food security is threatened. Food which is the most basic need every community has adverse effects when threatened. There have been long periods of droughts especially in places like Africa. This has led to the increased number of malnourished children in these places. Drought reduces production of varieties and overall consumption. There are projected risks of increase in diarrheal diseases and malnutrition especially in low income population due to the effects of global warming. Weather disasters and floods have become unpredictable and more common destroying human agriculture, forests and infrastructure. Major storms and flood have occurred in the last two decades. The number of people dying from these disasters has increased drastically. In countries like China and Philippines whenever there are floods a lot of lives are lost. Diseases transmitted by rodents have been on the increase due to floods which bring human-rodent contact. Childhood mortality in Sub Saharan Africa has remained high due to diarrhea. There were increased episodes of diarrhea in adults and children in Peru as a result of higher temperatures. Communities in dry areas will look for better places, while people from the coasts will move further inland as the water sea levels rise up. This will in turn bring inter-community conflicts.

In the near future if this problem is not addressed and dealt with properly it may destroy human population. Extreme weather changes and unpredictable weather patterns are a threat to human existence. Human activities which produce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide should be reduced. So now we know what some of the causes are for global warming, how can we as individuals do our part to help save the planet? The answer is simpler than you may think.

Firstly, plant a tree, we need the trees to cool our planet and yet they are chopping them down to create roads or homes. Something as simple as walking instead of taking the car will help reduce pollution. The extra heat produced by our homes also affects the planet. So try wearing an extra layer in winter. Also, SUV’s make about six times their own weight in CO2 each year. Reduce, reuse and recycle.

Gore story on how global warming can sneak up on us. Addressing the National Academy of Sciences, the vice president said, “If dropped into a pot of boiling water, a frog will quickly jump out. But if the same frog is put into a pot and the water is slowly heated, the frog will stay put until boiled alive. So it is with pollution .If we do not wake up to the slow heating of our environment, we may jump too late.” The more we know about global warming, the more likely we are to jump and the less likely we are to be cooked.

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