Cons About Global Warming

For years, we have heard that the overall temperature of the Earth is rising. The climb of a few degrees may not seem like much when it occurs in most parts of the world, but this is because most places are not as sensitive to temperature changes as the polar caps (where a great deal of damage has been done to the overall landmasses and wildlife). Also, humans aren't as sensitive to temperature change as other species.

Temperature Increase at the Poles

• As the polar caps are made of ice, their existence is more dependent upon a stable temperature. It is here that global warming first began to take its toll, and the polar regions have had a higher thermal increase than much of the world. According to National Geographic, the melting of the polar ice caps (as well as much of Greenland) could lead to a sea level rise of 7 to 23 inches. Additionally, it means that species living in regions that experience extreme climate change will be forced to migrate or adapt.

Tropical Temperatures

• By nature the warmest area on the planet, the equatorial region has also experienced a temperature increase. As in the poles, many of the plants and animals need to migrate to cooler places to survive, either to the mountains or farther north. However, because the equator experiences very little temperature change from season to season, many of the species living there are not as equipped to migrate as other animals do seasonally, and this has led to some extinction, according to Science Magazine. In the rain forests, which are home to a multitude of species, the biodiversity is highly sensitive to increased heat, which has led to the endangerment of even more fragile species. If they cannot adapt to the higher temperatures, they will die.

Global Climate Change

• Though Earth has experienced an overall warming, there are areas of the world that have gotten colder even as the poles and equator have grown warmer. Europe, for instance, as of December of 2010, has experienced the lowest temperatures and heaviest snowfalls of the past century. Furthermore, some scientists claim Europe is headed for another ice age, and that the continent will be prone to floods after a series of droughts. Many consider it probable that the rising temperatures are connected to the increasingly violent storms seen across the world, though this has never been proven. Furthermore, scientists have suggested that increased temperatures could lead to the disruption of reliant species (flowers and insects, for instance). Flowers' lifespans would be fruitless if they bloomed too early for insects to act as pollinators.