What Kinds of Effects Does Global Warming Have on Us?

Global warming is a serious issue. Global warming does not just mean hotter temperatures and warmer winters, but effects that can change agriculture, the ocean and even the health of those that live on this planet. Considering how global warming affects human beings may be the first step in helping prevent it from going further.

Produce and Agriculture

• Specific fruits and vegetables are sensitive to weather conditions. Heavy rainfall in some areas can flood or destroy crops and warm weather can cause some fruits to develop at too fast of a rate, making them inedible. Grapes, for example, are used for fruits, juices and even wine. Global warming increases temperatures, causing grapes to develop sugars too quickly before they develop flavor and leaving them useless for juices and wines according to the Los Angeles Times and The Center for American Progress.

Sea Life

• Sea life depends on a delicate ecosystem involving the temperatures of the ocean water. Warmer temperatures will lead to a decrease in fish products that humans consume, such as lobsters and salmon. Sea creatures such as jellyfish and giant squid, which typically stay away from the coast in warmer weather, are now moving towards the coast, thereby increasing jellyfish and giant squid attacks according to both the BBC and ABC News.

Mosquitoes, Ticks and Disease

• Mosquitoes thrive in warm temperatures and have been increasing in numbers according to National Geographic. With the increase in mosquitoes also comes the increase of diseases such as malaria, Dengue fever and West Nile Virus. Ticks are a carrier of lime disease and with cold weather decreasing more cases of Lyme disease are showing up, according to MSNBC.

Weather Changes

• According to "National Geographic," hurricanes and storms are going to continue to become stronger. With more ice caps and glaciers melting there will be more floods and frequent rainstorms that prevent droughts will begin to decline, increasing drought throughout the world. According to USA Today, the rising temperature of the ocean will lead to more hurricanes. Increased frequency and power of those storms can cause extensive damage to property and people exposed to them.

Health Issues

• Global warming contributes to higher temperatures throughout the year and especially in the summer months. With these heat waves can come a higher number of heat stroke cases. According to MSNBC, the rising temperatures and heat make individuals more likely to suffer from heart attacks due to increased cases of atherosclerosis, which develops in the heart during warmer temperatures.