The effects of global warming can be viewed from how it is affecting our planet right now, and how it will further affect our planet in the future. Much emphasis is placed on future problems as they are more dramatic. Unfortunately, future events are much easier to dismiss because they may, or may not occur. There are currently many problems caused by global warming, and there is little doubt that these problems exist, today.

Current Effects

Glaciers are retreating as the surface temperatures increase. Glaciers are very important to the survival of some communities. The run off from the glaciers in the warmer summer months help to fill dams, and reservoirs which are used for irrigation and drinking. With less cold water running in to
rivers, fish that depend on the colder water such as Salmon, will not be able to reproduce.

Sea ice is disintegrating. Polar bears use sea ice to breed, raise their young, hunt, and travel. With less ice, some polar bears are turning to cannibalism. Studies have suggested that if the trend continues, polar bears may become extinct within this century.

With extreme flooding and dought comes favorable conditions for mosquitos. Diseases such as Maleria, Dengue Fever, and West Nile virus are on the increase in Asia, East Africa, and Latin
America.

90% of coral in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, in the Seychelles, and in Congo is now dead because of global warming. The survival of coral depends on a symbiotic relationship with an algae called zooxantheallea. When the temperatures rise, the corals stress and release the colorful algae. Without the algae, the coral is unable to find enough nutrients to survive. When large amounts of coral die in this way, it is known as coral bleaching because the coral turns from a beautiful spectrum of color to a plain bone white color.

Future Effects

It is anticipated that sea levels could rise between 110 to 770 mm (0.36 to 2.5 feet) by 2100. Warm water expands, and oceans will expand as the planet warms up. Also, warmer temperatures will
melt the polar ice which will lead to an increase in sea level. Rising sea levels will result in a large
range of social, and economic problems. These include more severe flooding, loss of property and costal habitat, loss of culture, degradation of soil and water quality impacting agriculture and aquaculture, and loss of tourism.

Global warming is likely to affect the global food supply by changing current climatic conditions. Many farmers belive that minor seasonal variations are already affecting yields. The award winning Henschke wine from Australia has found that over the last 5 years their grapes have been maturing earlier.

Weather conditions are becoming more extreme. The number of Category 4­5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 20 years. The effect of hurricanes is clear, but with warm temperatures they are likely to become even more powerful.

Oceans continue to absorb more carbon dioxide as the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase. This absorbtion is making the oceans more acidic, and will harm some species, and will result in secondary effects that will be felt through out the food chain.

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