Negative Facts About Global Warming

Over the years scientists have debated whether or not the greenhouse effect -- or global warming -- actually exists, and is leading to widespread harm to the atmosphere. The consensus is now that changes are taking place on Earth that have significant implications to both human and animal life. For example, according to the Benefits of Recycling website, the years between 1997 and 2008 were the warmest on record. Even before that period, the United States experienced devastating heatwaves. The one in 1995, for example, killed hundreds of people in Chicago. As of 2011, the harmful effects of global warming were even more evident.

Increase in Sea Level

• Water expands as its temperature increases. The Koshland Science Museum website attributes the rise in sea level to glacier melt. As of May 2011, the website estimated that sea levels are rising at 1/10 of an inch per year. By 2100, sea level could be as much as 3 feet higher than the level in 2011.

  The consequences of such a rise in sea level could be tragic. The water from the seas and oceans could create a tsunami, which could cause widespread deaths of people and destruction of homes and businesses in cities.

Melting of Ice Packs

• Global warming has led to the melting of ice packs. The disappearance of this ice threatens certain animals that thrive in colder climates, such as polar bears and sea turtles, as well as coral reefs. Furthermore, polar bears like to hunt seals, and the recession of the ice caps make that activity harder. In addition, the Koshland Science Museum website cites global warming for the illness among many walruses that scientists observed between 1996 and 1999.

Diseases

• As winters become shorter, infectious diseases such as malaria and yellow and dengue fever tend to increase in appearance. The Koshland website says that colder temperatures in the winter lead to the killing of harmful bacteria that cause these diseases. Because temperatures become warmer, however, the number of storms associated with spring and summer increases, causing flooding. Such floods halt the proper operation of sewage systems. The result is the proliferation of serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Pollution

• The concentration of ozone leads to pollution of the atmosphere. As a result, the levels of this gas increase, and exacerbate already-existing breathing problems, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD. Pollution from cars over many years contributes to this global warming-related problem.

Natural Disasters

• The Benefits of Recycling website attributes the upsurge in natural disasters to the warming of the waters of the Atlantic ocean. In 2005, for example, more hurricanes took place worldwide -- including Katrina -- than any other year before. In 2011 many natural disasters, such as tornadoes and floods, took place, claiming hundreds of lives. These disasters also negatively affect crops and livestock, leading to an upsurge in the price of produce and other foodstuffs.