The effects of global warming
The effects of global warming are
already manifesting , for example, in the retreat of certain glaciers, a rise of about ten
centimeters of the level of the oceans by thermal expansion of the water, as well as the
reduction of thickness of the arctic polar ice-cap. The acceleration of the phenomenon
during the XXIst century should lead to more marked effects, in particular an increase of
the average level of the oceans and the extreme variations in weather conditions,
such as heat waves and periods of strong precipitations.
The effects shall soon be felt on the
human population with more
floods, more periods of drought, the problems with the drinking water supply, development
of diseases such as, malaria, disappearance of some coastal zones or islands at low
altitude. In longer term, we can consider phenomenas such as the thawing of the
ice-cap which covers Greenland, that would result in a rise of 6 metres the level of
the oceans, with the disappearance of most of the coastal regions of the world.
Confronting this threat on our
planet, the international community
remains at the moment rather unsure. The Kyoto protocol, negotiated in 1997, had for
purpose to force industrial nations to begin to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
With the recent decision of Russia to ratify the treaty, this has now a good chances to
come into effect. As the treaty was anyway hardly ambitious, it is not very probable that
it will slow down global warming in a significant way, thus the worst is yet to
come.
Is time to act!
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