Global warming
has the potential to cause many problems for the planet.
Global warming is the gradual warming of the planet's average temperature as caused by the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Global warming has been an important topic for many years. If global warming is allowed to continue, it will cause a multitude of problems for the planet.
Rising Sea Levels
Increasing global temperatures will eventually cause the polar ice caps to melt, thereby raising the level of the world's oceans. Rising water levels will cause many problems for people and animals living in coastal areas. It will destroy homes and other man-made structures, and destroy the food sources of plant-eating animals.
Rising Water Temperatures Kills Sea Algae
Algae are a major food source for many marine animals. Water temperature is rising to the point that algae may no longer able to survive, thereby eliminating this important resource. Many small fish rely on algae for sustenance and are later eaten by larger fish. If the smaller fish die out due to lack of food, an important link in the food chain will be destroyed.
Acid Rain
The pollution that cause global warming has also been linked to acid rain. Acid rain destroys everything it touches, including plants and natural animal habitats. This poses similar problems to the destruction of sea algae, as it can cause links in the food chain to break down.
Droughts
Global warming causes droughts in areas that are used for farming, which causes crops to wither and die. One interesting effect, though, is that it can cause areas that are too cold for farming to warm up enough to make them suitable for farming. This still poses a problem, however, as the people that live in these areas are unequipped to do the farming that is being done in other areas.
