water pollution and global warming

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    WATER POLLUTION

    Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans and

    groundwater). Any change in the chemical, physical and biological properties of

    water that has a harmful effect on living things is water pollution. Polluted water is

    not only unfit for drinking and other consumption purposes, but it is also unsuitable

    for agricultural and industrial uses. The effects of water pollution are detrimental to

    human beings, plants, animals, fish, and birds. Polluted water also contains virus,

    bacteria, intestinal parasites, and other pathogenic microorganisms. Using it for

    drinking purpose is the prime cause for waterborne diseases such as diarrhea,

    dysentery, and typhoid.

    Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and

    revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers

    and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths

    and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily.

    About 20% of the world's population lacks access to safe drinking water, and about

    50% lacks adequate sanitation.

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    SOURCESOFWATER POLLUTION

    There are two main sources of water pollution; point sources and non-point sources.

    Point sources include factories, wastewater treatment facilities, septic systems, and

    other sources that are clearly discharging pollutants into water sources. Non-point

    sources are more difficult to identify, because they cannot be traced back to a

    particular location. Non-point sources include runoff including sediment, fertilizer,

    chemicals and animal wastes from farms, fields, construction sites and mines.

    Landfills can also be a non-point source of pollution, if substances leach from the

    landfill into water supplies.

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    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) divides water pollution

    into the following six categories:

    Biodegradable waste: It consists mainly of human and animal waste.When biodegradable waste enters a water supply, the waste provides an energy

    source (organic carbon) for bacteria. Organic carbon is converted to carbon

    dioxide and water, which can cause atmospheric pollution and acid rain; this form

    of pollution is far more widespread and problematic than other forms of

    pollutants, such as radioactive waste. If there is a large supply of organic matter

    in the water, oxygen-consuming (aerobic) bacteria multiply quickly, consume all

    available oxygen, and kill all aquatic life.

    Plant nutrients:They enter the water through sewage, and livestock andfertilizer runoff. Phosphates and nitrates are also found in industrial wastes.

    Though these chemicals are natural, 80 percent of nitrates and 75 percent of

    phosphates in water are human-added. When there is too much nitrogen or

    phosphorus in a water supply (0.3 parts per million for nitrogen and 0.01 parts

    per million for phosphorus), algae begin to develop. When algae blooms, the

    water can turn green and cloudy, feel slimy, and smell bad. Weeds start to grow

    and bacteria spread. Decomposing plants use up the oxygen in the water,

    disrupting the aquatic life, reducing biodiversity, and even killing aquatic life. This

    process, called eutrophication, is a natural process, but generally occurs over

    thousands of years. Eutrophication allows a lake to age and become more

    nutrient-rich; without nutrient pollution, this may take 10,000 years, but pollution

    can make the process occur 100 to 1,000 times faster.

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    Heat:As the water temperature increases, the amount of dissolved oxygendecreases. Thermal pollution can be natural, in the case of hot springs and

    shallow ponds in the summertime, or human-made, through the discharge of

    water that has been used to cool power plants or other industrial equipment.

    Fish and plants require certain temperatures and oxygen levels to survive, so

    thermal pollution often reduces the aquatic life diversity in the water.

    Sediment: It is one of the most common sources of water pollution.Sediment consists of mineral or organic solid matter that is washed or blown from

    land into water sources. Sediment pollution is difficult to identify, because it

    comes from non-point sources, such as construction, agricultural and livestock

    operations, logging, flooding, and city runoff. Each year, water sources in the

    United States are polluted by over one billion tones of sediment! Sediment can

    cause large problems, as it can clog municipal water systems, smother aquatic

    life, and cause water to become increasingly turbid. And, turbid water can cause

    thermal pollution, because cloudy water absorbs more solar radiation.

    Hazardous and Toxic Chemicals: They are usually human-madematerials that are not used or disposed of properly. Point sources of chemical

    pollution include industrial discharges and oil spills. The Oil Pollution fact sheet

    includes more detailed information about oil spills, as well as other sources of oil

    pollution. Non-point sources of chemical pollution include runoff from paved

    roads and pesticide runoff.

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    Many people think industries produce the greatest amount of chemical pollution.

    But domestic and personal use of chemicals can significantly contribute to

    chemical pollution. Household cleaners, dyes, paints and solvents are also toxic,

    and can accumulate when poured down drains or flushed down the toilet. In fact,

    one drop of used motor oil can pollute 25 liters of water! And, people who use

    pesticides on their gardens and lawns tend to use ten times more pesticide per

    acre than a farmer would!

    Radioactive Pollutants: They include wastewater discharges from

    factories, hospitals and uranium mines. These pollutants can also come from

    natural isotopes, such as radon. Radioactive pollutants can be dangerous, and it

    takes many years until radioactive substances are no longer considered

    dangerous.

    The seventh category of water pollution is pharmaceuticals and personal care

    products (often abbreviated PPCPs), including medications, lotions and soap, are

    being found in increasing concentrations in lakes and rivers. Scientists have

    discovered that many PPCPs act as hormone disrupters, which means that the

    synthetic hormones in the products interfere with the natural hormones in

    animals, especially fish that live in the water. There has not been enough

    research to determine the effects that PPCPs can have on humans, but there is

    evidence to suggest that these chemicals may be partially responsible for an

    increase in cancer and birth defects.

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    Dirt and Sediment or Turbidity Most waters contain some suspended

    particles which may consist of fine sand, clay, soil, and precipitated salts. Turbidity is

    unpleasant to look at, can be a source of food and lodging for bacteria.

    Total Dissolved Solids or TDS These substances are dissolved rock and

    other compounds from the earth. The entire list of them could fill this page. The

    presence and amount of total dissolved solids in water represents a point of

    controversy among those who promote water treatment products. Here are some

    facts about the consequences of higher levels of TDS in water:

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    High TDS results in undesirable taste which could be salty, bitter, or metallic.High TDS water is less thirst quenching.Some of the individual mineral salts that make up TDS pose a variety ofhealth hazards. The most problematic are Nitrates, Sodium, Sulfates, Barium,

    Copper, and Fluoride.

    The EPA Secondary Regulations advise a maximum level of 500mg/liter (500parts per million-ppm) for TDS. Numerous water supplies exceed this level.

    When TDS levels exceed 1000mg/L it is generally considered unfit for human

    consumption.

    High TDS interferes with the taste of foods and beverages, and makes themless desirable to consume.

    High TDS make ice cubes cloudy, softer, and faster melting.Minerals exist in water mostly as INORGANIC salts. In contrast, mineralshaving passed through a living system are known as ORGANIC minerals.

    They are combined with proteins and sugars. According to many nutritionists

    minerals are much easier to assimilate when they come from foods.

    Water with higher TDS is considered by some health advocates to have apoorer cleansing effect in the body than water with a low level of TDS. This is

    because water with low dissolved solids has a greater capacity of absorption

    than water with higher solids.

    Toxic Metals or Heavy Metals Among the greatest threats to health are the

    presence of high levels of toxic metals in drinking water - Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead,

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    Mercury, and Silver. Maximum limits for each are established by the EPA Primary

    Drinking Water Regulations. Other metals such as Chromium and Selenium, while

    essential trace elements in our diets, have limits imposed upon them when in water

    because the form in which they exist may pose a health hazard. Toxic metals are

    associated with nerve damage, birth defects, mental retardation and certain cancers.

    Asbestos Asbestos exists as microscopic suspended mineral fibers in water. Its

    primary source is asbestos-cement pipe which was commonly used after World War

    II for city water supplies. It has been estimated that some 200,000 miles of this pipe

    is presently in use to transport our drinking water. Because these pipes are wearing,

    the deadly substance of asbestos is showing up with increasing frequency in drinking

    water. It has been linked with gastrointestinal cancer.

    Radioactivity Even though trace amounts of radioactive elements can be

    found in almost all drinking water, levels that pose serious health hazards are fairly

    rare--for now. Radioactive wastes leach from mining operations into groundwater

    supplies. The greatest threat is posed by nuclear accidents, nuclear processing

    plants, and radioactive waste disposal sites. As containers containing these wastes

    deteriorate with time, the risk of contaminating our aquafiers grows into a toxic time

    bomb.

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    Tastes and Odors If our water has a disagreeable taste or odor, chances are

    it is due to one or more of many organic substances ranging from decaying

    vegetation to algae; hydrocarbons to phenols. It could also be TDS and a host of

    other items.

    Pesticides and Herbicides The increasing use of pesticides and herbicides

    in agriculture shows up in the water we drink. Rain and irrigation carry these deadly

    chemicals down into the groundwater as well as into surface waters -- There are

    more than 100,000,000 people in the US who depend upon groundwater for sources

    whole or in part of their drinking water. As our reliance upon groundwater is

    escalating, so is its contamination. Our own household use of herbicide and pesticide

    substances also contributes to actual contamination. These chemicals can cause

    circulatory, respiratory and nerve disorders.

    Toxic Organic Chemicals The most pressing and widespread water

    contamination problem is a result of the organic chemicals created by industry.

    According to the EPA, there are 77,000,000,000 pounds of hazardous waste being

    generated each year in the US. 90 percent of this is not disposed of properly. This

    would equal 19,192 pounds of hazardous waste disposed each year on every square

    mile of land and water surface in the US including Alaska and Hawaii!

    Chemicals end up in our drinking water from hundreds of different sources. There

    are hundreds of publications each year highlighting this problem. The effects of

    chronic long term exposure to these toxic organics, even in minute amounts, are

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    extremely difficult to detect. Contaminated drinking water may look and taste

    perfectly normal. The users symptoms might include recurring headache, rash, or

    fatigue - all of which are hard to diagnose as being water related. The more serious

    consequences of drinking tainted water are higher cancer rates, birth defects, growth

    abnormalities, infertility, and nerve and organ damage. Just how toxic these

    chemicals are may be illustrated by looking at two examples: TCE is a widely used

    chemical which routinely shows up in water supplies. Just two glassfuls of TCE can

    contaminate 27,000,000 gallons of drinking water! One pound of the pesticide,

    Endrin can contaminate 5,000,000,000 gallons of water.

    Chlorine Trihalomethanes (THM's) are formed when chlorine, used to disinfect

    water supplies, interacts with natural organic materials (e.g. by-products of decayed

    vegetation, algae, etc.). This creates toxic organic chemicals such as chloroform, and

    Bromodichloromethane. A further word about chlorine: Scientists at Colombia

    University found that women who drank chlorinated water ran a 44% greater risk of

    dying of cancer of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract than did women who drank

    non-chlorinated water! Chlorinated water has also been linked to high blood pressure

    and anemia. Anemia is caused by the deleterious effect of chlorine on red blood

    cells.

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    HEALTHHAZARDS CAUSED BYWATER POLLUTION

    It is a well-known fact that clean water is absolutely essential for healthy living.

    Adequate supply of fresh and clean drinking water is a basic need for all human

    beings on the earth, yet it has been observed that millions of people worldwide are

    deprived of this.

    Water-borne diseases are infectious diseases spread primarily through contaminated

    water. Though these diseases are spread either directly or through flies or filth, water

    is the chief medium for spread of these diseases and hence they are termed as

    water-borne diseases.

    Most intestinal (enteric) diseases are infectious and are transmitted through faecal

    waste. Pathogens which include virus, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms

    are disease-producing agents found in the faeces of infected persons. These

    diseases are more prevalent in areas with poor sanitary conditions. These pathogens

    travel through water sources and interfuses directly through persons handling food

    and water. Since these diseases are highly infectious, extreme care and hygiene

    should be maintained by people looking after an infected patient. Hepatitis, cholera,

    dysentery, and typhoid are the more common water-borne diseases that affect

    large populations in the tropical regions.

    Causes Water-borne diseases

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    Pesticides The organophosphates and the carbonates present in pesticides

    affect and damage the nervous system and can cause cancer. Some of the

    pesticides contain carcinogens that exceed recommended levels. They contain

    chlorides that cause reproductive and endocrinal damage.

    Fluoride Excess fluorides can cause yellowing of the teeth and damage to

    the spinal cordand other crippling diseases.

    Nitrates Drinking water that gets contaminated with nitrates can prove fatal

    especially to infants that drink formula milk as it restricts the amount of oxygen that

    reaches the brain causing the blue baby syndrome. It is also linked to digestive

    tract cancers. It causes algae to bloom resulting in eutrophication in surface water.

    Petrochemicals and Chlorinated solvents Petrochemicals can cause

    cancer even at low exposure levels and chlorinated solvents are linked to

    reproduction disorders.

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    Other heavy metals Heavy metals cause damage to the nervous system

    and the kidney, and other metabolic disruptions.

    Exposure to polluted water can cause diarrhea, skin irritation, respiratory

    problems and other diseases, depending on the pollutant that is in the water body.

    Stagnant water and other untreated water provide a habitat for the mosquito and a

    host of other parasites and insects that cause a large number of diseases especially

    in the tropical regions. Among these, malaria is undoubtedly the most widely

    distributed and causes most damage to human health.

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    Global warmingrefers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and

    oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface

    temperature increased by about 0.8 C (1.4 F) with about two thirds of the increase

    occurring over just the last three decades. Warming of the climate system is

    unequivocal, and scientists are more than 90% certain most of it is caused by

    increasing concentrations of gases produced by human activities such

    as deforestation and burning fossil fuel. These findings are recognized by the

    national science academies of all the major industrialized countries.

    An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the

    amount and pattern of precipitation, and a probable expansion of

    subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be

    associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely

    effects of the warming include more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events

    including heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall events, species extinctions due to

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    shifting temperature regimes, and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and

    related changes will vary from region to region around the globe, though the nature

    of these regional changes is uncertain. In a 4 C world, the limits for human

    adaptation are likely to be exceeded in many parts of the world, while the limits for

    adaptation for natural systems would largely be exceeded throughout the world.

    Hence, the ecosystem services upon which human livelihoods depend would not be

    preserved.

    One of the biggest issues facing us right now is global warming. Its effects on

    animals and on agriculture are indeed frightening, and the effects on the human

    population are even scarier. The facts about global warming are often debated in

    politics and the media, but, unfortunately, even if we disagree about the causes,

    global warming effects are real, global, and measurable. The causes are mainly from

    us, the human race, and the effects on us will be severe. Global warming is also

    caused by natural causes.

    The greenhouseeffect is the process by which absorption

    and emission of infrared radiation by gases in the atmosphere warm a planets lower

    atmosphere and surface. Naturally occurring amounts of greenhouse gases have a

    mean warming effect of about 33 C (59 F). The major greenhouse gases are water

    vapor, which causes about 3670 percent of the greenhouse effect; carbon

    dioxide (CO2), which causes 926 percent; methane (CH4), which causes 49

    percent; and ozone (O3), which causes 37 percent.

    http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals.htmlhttp://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals.htmlhttp://planetsave.com/2010/08/13/119-one-liners-to-respond-to-climate-science-myths/http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/02/02/how-humans-cause-global-warming/http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/02/02/how-humans-cause-global-warming/http://planetsave.com/2010/08/13/119-one-liners-to-respond-to-climate-science-myths/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals.htmlhttp://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals.html
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    The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere during the 20th century has

    resulted from the growing use of energy and expansion of the global economy. Over

    the century, industrial activity grew 40-fold, and the emissions of gases such as

    carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) grew 10-fold.

    The amount of CO2 in the air increased from some 280 parts per million by volume

    (ppmv) at the beginning of the century to 383 ppmv at the end of 2007. The amount

    of CO2 varies within each year as the result of the annual cycles of photosynthesis

    and oxidation (see graph). Of the other greenhouse gases, methane (CH4), which is

    formed by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, rose from a preindustrial

    atmospheric concentration of around 700 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) to about

    1789 ppbv by 2007.

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    Other important greenhouse gases include the oxides of nitrogen, notably nitrous

    oxide (NO2) and halocarbons, including the CFCs and other chlorine and bromine

    containing compounds.

    The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere alters the radiative balance of

    the atmosphere. The net effect is to warm the Earth's surface and the lower

    atmosphere because greenhouse gases absorb some of the Earths outgoing heat

    radiation and reradiate it back towards the surface. The overall warming from 1850

    to the end of the 20th century was equivalent to about 2.5 W/m2; CO2 contributed

    some 60 per cent of this figure and CH4about 25 per cent, with N2O and

    halocarbons providing the remainder. The warming effect that would result from a

    doubling of CO2 from pre-industrial levels is estimated to be 4 W/m2.

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    Peoples ever increasing addiction to electricity from

    coal burning power plants releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the

    atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and

    burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every

    day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative

    energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and

    commercial electrical supply.

    With our population growing at an alarming rate, the demand for more cars and

    consumer goods means that we are increasing the use of fossil fuels for

    transportation and manufacturing. Our consumption is outpacing our discoveries of

    ways to mitigate the effects, with no end in sight to our massive consumer culture.

    The emission of carbon dioxide into the environment mainly from burning of fossil

    fuels (oil, gas, petrol, kerosene, etc.) has been increased dramatically over the past

    50 years.

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    Methane is another extremely

    potent greenhouse gas, ranking right behind CO2. When organic matter is broken

    down by bacteria under oxygen-starved conditions (anaerobic decomposition) as in

    rice paddies, methane is produced. The process also takes place in the intestines of

    herbivorous animals, and with the increase in the amount of concentrated livestock

    production, the levels of methane released into the atmosphere is increasing.

    Another source ofmethane is methane clathrate, a compound containing large

    amounts of methane trapped in the crystal structure of ice. As methane escapes

    from the Arctic seabed, the rate of global warming will increase significantly.

    The use of forests for fuel (both wood and for charcoal) is one

    cause of deforestation, but in the first world, our appetite for wood and paper

    products, our consumption of livestock grazed on former forest land, and the use of

    tropical forest lands for commodities like palm oil plantations contributes to the mass

    deforestation of our world. Forests remove and store carbon dioxide from the

    atmosphere, and this deforestation releases large amounts of carbon, as well as

    reducing the amount of carbon capture on the planet.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_fermentationhttp://planetsave.com/blog/2008/05/29/methane-could-kick-start-increased-warming/http://sustainablog.org/2008/09/23/scientists-discover-new-global-warming-threat-methane-time-bomb-under-arctic-seabed/http://sustainablog.org/2008/09/23/scientists-discover-new-global-warming-threat-methane-time-bomb-under-arctic-seabed/http://sustainablog.org/2008/09/23/scientists-discover-new-global-warming-threat-methane-time-bomb-under-arctic-seabed/http://sustainablog.org/2008/09/23/scientists-discover-new-global-warming-threat-methane-time-bomb-under-arctic-seabed/http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/05/29/methane-could-kick-start-increased-warming/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_fermentation
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    In the last half of the 20th

    century, the use ofchemical fertilizers (as opposed to the historical use of animal

    manure) has risen dramatically. The high rate of application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers

    has effects on the heat storage of cropland (nitrogen oxides have 300 times more

    heat-trapping capacity per unit of volume than carbon dioxide) and the run-off of

    excess fertilizers createsdead-zonesin our oceans. In addition to these effects,

    high nitrate levels in groundwater due to over-fertilization are cause for concern for

    human health.

    In 1985 Joe Farman, of the British Antarctic Survey,

    published a paper showing the decline of ozone levels over Antarctica during the

    early 1980s. The response was dramatic: large-scale international scientific programs

    were mounted to prove that CFCs (used as aerosol propellants, in industrial cleaning

    fluids and in refrigeration equipment) were the cause of the problem. Even more

    important was immediate international action to curb the emissions of CFCs.

    Plummeting ozone levels in the stratosphere over Antarctica during September and

    October are the result of complex chemical processes. The return of the Sun at the

    end of winter triggers photochemical reactions that lead to the destruction of ozone

    in the stratosphere. The October values of ozone have declined by up to 70 per cent

    compared to the pre-ozone hole years, and the size of the ozone hole had grown to

    more than 25 million km2

    (twice the size of Antarctica) by 2000.

    One of the most dangerous man-made

    causes for global warming is the increasing population. More people means more

    food and more methods of transportation; which means more methane and more

    cars which lead to more pollution of earth. Since CO2 contributes to global warming,

    http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/07/25/edible-activism-changing-the-world-through-what-we-eat/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://www.twilightearth.com/2009/05/the-dead-zone-how-farming-is-killing-the-fishing-industry/http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/07/25/edible-activism-changing-the-world-through-what-we-eat/
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    the increase in population makes the problem worse because we breathe out CO2.

    Also, the trees that convert our CO2 to oxygen are being cut down because we're

    using the land that we cut the trees down from as property for our homes and

    buildings. We are not replacing the trees (trees are a very important part of our eco-

    system), so we are constantly taking advantage of our natural resources and giving

    nothing back in return.

    Atmospheric aerosols are able to alter climate in

    two important ways. First, they scatter and absorb solar and infrared radiation and,

    second, they may change the microphysical and chemical properties of clouds and

    possibly their lifetime and extent. The scattering of solar radiation acts to cool the

    planet, while absorption of solar radiation by aerosols warms the air directly

    instead of allowing sunlight to be absorbed by the surface of the Earth.

    Climate changes in orbital forcing and solar luminosity are also

    responsible for variation in surface temperatures. Variations in solar activity are being

    held responsible for most of the global warming, since the 1950s. According to

    recent research, solar output variations are possibly amplified by galactic cosmic

    rays. The magnetic activity in and around the sun plays a major role in deflecting

    cosmic rays. These in turn are responsible for cloud condensation and climatic

    changes. Increased solar activity could be the result of excessive warming of the

    stratosphere. Solar cycles lead to an increase in brightness and heat generation. The

    light and heat get trapped in the stratosphere.

    http://www.buzzle.com/articles/climate-change/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-sun/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-sun/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/climate-change/
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    The relation between solar radiation and global warming is yet to be proven and is

    one of the most speculated topics deliberated upon in recent times. The link between

    changes in cosmic rays and temperature is being studied alongside human induced

    reasons for the phenomenon.

    CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBALWARMING

    The effects of global warming could be enormous. Relative to the hectic pace of our

    daily life, global warming is a slow-moving problem. But that does not mean we

    should wait and see what happens. If we wait, we may be creating an unsolvable

    problem, an unstoppable climatic shift that could have devastating impacts in years

    to come.

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    Global warming does not occur evenly across

    the world. Temperature changes have been, and will be, much more extreme in the

    Arctic and Antarctic. A 5 degree Fahrenheit warming for the whole world means only

    1 degree at the equator, but 12 degrees at the poles. Global temperatures have

    already risen about 0.8 degrees Celsius, or 1.4 degree Fahrenheit. The arctic tundra

    is melting already, which may be causing an increase in methane levels in the

    atmosphere. A mysterious spike in atmospheric methane was measured in 2007. In

    addition, the rate of carbon increase in the atmosphere is accelerating each year,

    which may also be related to the thawing of arctic areas. We may be contributing to

    a positive feedback loop whereby the warming of Polar Regions puts more carbon

    and methane into the atmosphere, thus causing yet more warming in an unstoppable

    cycle.

    http://www.acoolerclimate.com/methane/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/methane/
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    Increased storm activity and intensity is caused by

    global warming. Severe drought and flooding will occur as weather pattern become

    more extreme. Unfortunately, the worlds economic and agricultural systems rely on

    existing patterns of weather, and as global warming changes these patterns, our

    ability to produce food is declining. Increased overall average temperatures cause

    more extreme weather, more devastating storms, and more severe and prolonged

    droughts and floods. These changes impact ecosystems and the human economy.

    The price you pay for food is getting higher

    already as a result ofglobal warming effects on agriculture. Whats worse is that this

    is leaving many of the worlds hungry in a desperate situation, unable to afford

    adequate food.

    We depend on a predictable climate to keep our agricultural markets and our

    economy as a whole stable. Climate change makes our markets unstable, less

    efficient, and thus more expensive. Prices are increasing for a number of reasons, a

    few of which are not related to global warming, but global warming induced heat

    waves have already been shown to reduce grain harvests in India, Canada, and the

    U.S. significantly. Drought conditions have doubled since 1970. Many plants become

    less productive or will not pollinate when it gets too hot. For all of these reasons, we

    should be concerned about the impacts of climate change on agriculture and food

    scarcity.

    The danger to

    animals is severe as well. As sea levels rise and lowland coastal areas are flooded,

    http://www.acoolerclimate.com/does-global-warming-cause-more-droughts-floods-hurricanes/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/does-global-warming-cause-more-droughts-floods-hurricanes/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-climate-agriculture-and-human-health/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-climate-agriculture-and-human-health/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-climate-agriculture-and-human-health/http://www.acoolerclimate.com/does-global-warming-cause-more-droughts-floods-hurricanes/
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    many animal species will be harmed. Coastal areas serve as natural hatcheries for

    fish and are home to a greater diversity of land and sea creatures than any other

    ecosystem. The flooding of coastal estuaries by rising sea levels would

    have dramatic effects on animals across the world.

    A rise in global temperature will also hamper the rich biodiversity of various

    ecosystems. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on (IPCC), an increase in

    global temperature by 1.5 to 2.5 degrees will make 20 to 30 percent of species

    vulnerable to extinction, while a rise of about 3.5 degrees will make 40 to 70 percent

    species vulnerable to extinction. Climate change will result in loss of habitat for many

    animal species like polar bears and tropical frogs. More importantly, any change in

    the climate patterns will seriously affect the migration patterns of various bird

    species. Irregular patterns of precipitation will affect animals and humans alike.

    As the temperature increases, the ice

    cover on the planet will start melting. The water from these melting glaciers will end

    up in the oceans, which will lead to a rise in the sea level. Over the last century, sea

    levels have increased by 4 to 8 inches, and by 2100, it's expected to increase to 35

    inches. An additional 2 degree rise in global temperature will lead to the complete

    melting of the Greenland ice cap, which will cause the sea level to rise by 5 to 6

    meters. Such a rise will cause many of the low lying areas, such as the US Gulf

    Coast and Bangladesh, as well as islands, such as Lakswadweep, to submerge

    underwater. If the whole of the Antarctic ice sheet melts, the global sea level is

    expected to rise by 10.5 meters.

    Scientists have come up with the firmest evidence so far that global warming will

    significantly increase the intensity of the most extreme storms worldwide. The

    http://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals/http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080903/full/news.2008.1079.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/news/2008/080903/full/news.2008.1079.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/news/2008/080903/full/news.2008.1079.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/news/2008/080903/full/news.2008.1079.htmlhttp://www.acoolerclimate.com/global-warmings-effects-on-plants-and-animals/
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    maximum wind speeds of the strongest tropical cyclones have increased significantly

    since 1981, according to research published in Nature this week. And the upward

    trend, thought to be driven by rising ocean temperatures, is unlikely to stop at any

    time soon.

    The Bottom Line

    If we really value the severe impacts ofWater Pollution andGlobal

    Warming, we must make efforts to keep our earth inhabitable. Nothing can

    save our planet if we dont stay away from destructive activities. So, if we

    care for ourselves, we must care for our world and answer the following

    question which may seem easy but carries a lot of significance.