Impacts of Global Warming
(i) Global warming and Climate change:
Certain changes take place as a result of global warming, such as:
Impact on Temperature: If the concentration of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon-dioxide (CO2) rises continuously, a time will come when the concentration of CO2 will reach above 600 ppm by the year 2030, which in turn will increase average global temperature by 1.5 – 4.5°C.
Impact on Rainfall: Global warming would affect the rainfall pattern. In recent years, the pattern of rainfall has been significantly affected due to global warming.
Sea Level: The Level of sea water would rise by 20-14- cm in various parts of the world due to dissolving of glaciers by global warming. The sea levels have already risen by about 30 cm.
(ii) Global warming and human diseases:
According to a report of W.H.O, global warming could result the spread of the malaria and other tropical diseases.
(iii) Global warming and agriculture:
Impact of Global warming on agriculture, due to increase in concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere are the following.
- Direct effect of CO2
CO2 concentration increases photosynthesis of plants. The leaves will expand and ultimately a large canopy will be formed.
- Indirect effect
Increase in temperature affect the crop yield in different ways in different climatic conditions.
In tropical countries like India, the adverse effect of 1 – 2° raises in temperature is observed.
- Cropping pattern
The global warming will bring about a spatial shift of crop potential. For the changed environmental conditions, the areas which at present are suitable to a given crop or, combination of crops, may no longer remains as such after a climatic shift.
