GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT ISSUES & CONCERNS PROBABLE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
3 Serious Environmental Issues that Affect the Biosphere:
1) Deforestation
2) Global Warming; and
3) Ozone Depletion in the Stratosphere
Deforestation
 Deforestation is the deliberate and often widespread removal of forests or trees,
typically to make way for agriculture, urban development, or industrial activities.
Uncontrolled Exploitation of Tropical Forest
 refers to the unsustainable and excessive use of these valuable ecosystems
for activities like logging, agriculture, and mining, without proper regulations
or practices to ensure their long-term health and sustainability.
Causes of Deforestation in tropical rainforest:
1) Subsistence agriculture
 a farming practice where individuals or communities grow crops and raise
livestock primarily to meet their own basic food and survival needs, rather
than for commercial profit or trade.
2) Agriculture
 a significant cause of deforestation in tropical rainforests because people
often clear large areas of forests to make room for farming activities
3) Conversion to other Economic use
 is a cause of deforestation in tropical rainforests because people often clear
these forests to make way for activities like mining, urban development, or
infrastructure projects.
4) Logging
 the process of cutting down and harvesting trees, typically for the purpose of
obtaining timber and wood products.
The probable effects of global warming include the following:
a) Changes in sea level
b) Changes in precipitation patterns
c) Effects on organisms and humans
d) Effects on agriculture
CHANGES IN SEA LEVEL:
1) Thermal Expansion: Warmer temperatures cause seawater to expand, leading to
a significant portion of sea-level rise. This effect occurs as ocean water absorbs
heat and expands in volume.
2) Melting Ice: Global warming leads to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets in polar
regions, as well as the shrinking of ice caps. This runoff from melting ice
contributes to the rise in sea levels.
3) Rapid Ice Sheet Disintegration: The most concerning scenario is the rapid
disintegration of ice sheets, particularly in Antarctica and Greenland. If large
sections of these ice sheets were to collapse, it could result in a substantial and
abrupt increase in sea levels.
The impacts of rising sea levels include:
• Coastal Flooding: Low-lying coastal areas become more vulnerable to flooding,
especially during storms and high tides.
• Erosion: Increased wave action and sea-level rise can lead to more rapid coastal
erosion, threatening infrastructure and property.
• Saline Intrusion: Higher sea levels can cause saltwater to intrude into freshwater
aquifers, contaminating drinking water sources and affecting agriculture.
• Displacement: Communities in vulnerable coastal areas may face displacement
and the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
 • Ecological Impacts: Rising sea levels can harm coastal ecosystems and wetlands, Effects on Humans:
impacting wildlife and biodiversity.
1. Heat-Related Illnesses: More frequent and severe heatwaves can result in heat-
related illnesses and even deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Changes in precipitation patterns: 2. Food Security: Changing climate conditions can disrupt agriculture, leading to
reduced crop yields and increased food prices, which can result in food insecurity.
Some of the probable effects include:
3. Water Scarcity: Altered precipitation patterns can lead to water shortages,
 Altered Rainfall Distribution
affecting drinking water supply, agriculture, and industrial processes.
 Increased Extreme Weather Events:
 Changing Seasons: 4. Rising Sea Levels: Coastal areas are at risk of flooding and erosion due to rising sea
 Droughts: levels, which can displace communities and damage infrastructure.
 Water Resource Challenges:
5. Health Risks: Climate change can influence the distribution of disease vectors,
 Impact on Ecosystems:
leading to the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue. It can also impact air
 Agricultural Impacts:
quality, affecting respiratory health.
 Human Health:
 Social and Economic Disruption: 6. Economic Disruption: The consequences of global warming can have significant
economic implications, including damage to infrastructure, increased insurance
Adaptation strategies, such as improved water management, drought-resistant crops, and costs, and decreased agricultural productivity.
resilient infrastructure, are essential to mitigate the negative effects of changing
precipitation patterns. 7. Migration and Conflict: Climate-induced displacement can lead to migration and
potentially create conflicts over resources and land.

Effects on organisms and humans:

Effects on Organisms: Effects on agriculture:

1. Habitat Disruption: Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns can  Altered Growing Seasons: Rising temperatures and changing climate patterns can
disrupt ecosystems and habitats, making it challenging for many species to survive. disrupt traditional growing seasons for crops, affecting planting and harvest times.

2. Biodiversity Loss: Increased temperatures and altered conditions can lead to
habitat loss and the extinction of vulnerable species, reducing biodiversity.
3. Shifts in Migration and Breeding Patterns: Many animals and plants may alter
their migration, reproduction, and feeding patterns in response to changing
environmental conditions, potentially affecting the balance of ecosystems.
 Reduced Crop Yields: Increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can
lead to decreased crop yields for many staple crops, such as wheat, rice, and
maize, which can result in food shortages and increased food prices.
 Pest and Disease Outbreaks: Warmer temperatures can lead to the proliferation
of pests and diseases that can harm crops and reduce agricultural productivity.

4. Increased Stress: Organisms can experience stress due to temperature extremes,  Water Scarcity: Changes in precipitation patterns can result in water scarcity,
habitat loss, and competition for resources. affecting irrigation and water availability for agriculture.

 Soil Degradation: Climate change can contribute to soil erosion, reduced soil
fertility, and degradation, which can hamper crop growth.
  Livestock Health: Heat stress and changing weather conditions can impact the 2. Improved energy efficiency
health and well-being of livestock, affecting meat and dairy production.
 Insulate your roof
 Shifts in Crop Suitability: Some regions may no longer be suitable for certain
crops, while others might become more conducive to different crops, leading to  switch your bulb to energy-saving LED
changes in agricultural practices.  save money with solar energy
 Economic Impacts: Reduced agricultural productivity can have economic  switch off lights and electrical appliances when not using
consequences for both farmers and consumers, affecting food prices and the
livelihoods of those involved in agriculture. 3. Reduce deforestation and Plant more trees

 we need reforestation, not deforestation

Ways to Deal with Global Warming  improve air quality through photosynthesis

Strategies to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration:  create a program of tree planting.

 Reduce the burning of fossil fuels (wood or coal) in order to reduce carbon
emissions.
 Use renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.
Some Initiatives to Slow Down Global Warming
 Never forget to switch off the bulbs, fans, and other electric devices whenever  Cut Fossil Fuel Use
leaving the room because such devices generate heat and cause global warming.  Improve Energy Efficiency
 Embrace Sustainable  Reduce Deforestation and Plant More Trees
 Transportation to reduce your carbon footprint.  Promote Public Transportation
 Conserve water and energy  Educate and Raise Awareness
 Support eco-friendly initiative
 Educate and inspire others.

SOME INITIATIVES TO SLOW DOWN GLOBAL WARMING:

Acid Precipitation
Acid precipitation, also known as acid rain, refers to the deposition of acidic substances
1. Cut fossil fuel use
from the atmosphere onto the Earth's surface. This phenomenon occurs when pollutants
 support sustainable agriculture
such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air through human activities
 reduce meat consumption
like burning fossil fuels.
 buy organic product
 buy locally-produced food Acid comes from nitric acid and sulfur dioxide release primarily from electric power
 reduce energy consumption plants and motor vehicles.
 reduce and reuse
It also comes from the sulfur dioxide + water vapor + ozone, resulting to sulfuric acid.
 use public transportation
 conserve water Acid also comes from nitric acid + sunlight + oxygen, forming nitrogen dioxide plus
 use and support renewable resources various atmospheric gases and finally resulting to formation of nitric acid which is the acid
 support policies rain.
 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION
The thinning of the ozone layer is present in the upper atmosphere.

Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion Organism

 Excessive exposure to UV radiation is linked to human health problems such as

Effects of Acid Deposition: cataracts, skin cancer, and a weakened immune system.
 Acidification of Lakes and Streams  Increased levels of UV may disrupt the ecosystem
 Contribute to Damage of Trees (weaken trees by damaging the leaves)  High levels of UV radiation may damage crops and forest
 Accelerates the decay of building materials and paint, including irreparable
buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of the nation's cultural heritage.
Declining Stratospheric Ozone
Cause of stratospheric ozone depletion:
CONTROLLING ACID DEPOSITION
1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
OPTIONS FOR REDUCING SULFUR DIOXIDE AND NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSIONS: 2. Industrial processes, such as aerosol propellants and refrigerants
3. Volcanic eruptions and natural ozone-depleting substances
 Use coal containing less sulfur, wash the coal, and use devices called scrubbers to
chemically remove the sulfur dioxide from the gases leaving the smoke stack.
 Power plants can switch fuels. For example, burning natural gas creates less sulfur
dioxide than Impact of stratospheric ozone depletion:
 Catalytic converters reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from cars. These devices 1. Increased UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface
have been required for over twenty years in the U.S. and it is important to keep 2. Health effects on humans and animals
them working properly. 3. Environmental impacts

Take action as Individuals:

1. Turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when not using them

2. Use energy-efficient appliances, lighting, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, Washing

machines, etc.

3. Keep your thermostat at 20 degrees Celsius in winter season and 22.2 degree Celsius in
summer season.

4. Carpool use public transportation or better yet, walk or use bicycle whenever possible.