Global warming results in an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Dissolving of carbon dioxide in water makes it even more acidic- formation of Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). Due to carbon dioxide being a greenhouse gas, and with the surge in CO₂ levels, it will result in some parts of the world being warmer. Warmer ocean water contains less oxygen.

Environmental Impacts

Detrimental effects on marine ecosystems

• Increasing acidity leads to a decrease in the amount of carbonate ions (CO₃²‾) available to build coral reefs.
• Acidic and warmer waters destroy coral reefs that shelter much of the ocean’s biodiversity.

Climate change- Affecting water levels and extreme weathers

• With the phenomenon of ice in Greenland and the Antarctica melting, percentage of fresh water is on a decline.
• Frequent flooding can also diminish freshwater as it gets polluted with salt water.
• As hurricanes draw their strength from the heat of water on the ocean’s surface, a warmer climate means hurricanes have been getting stronger.
• Changes in rainfall and temperature will alter the habitats where animals live, forcing some species to migrate, disrupting ecosystems, and increasing the rate of extinctions globally.

 

Social Impacts

Rising of sea levels affecting homes

• Submerging of coastal and barrier islands phenomenon (Some low-lying islands have already had to be evacuated, as Australia’s The Age (July 29, 2009) describes happening in the Carteret Islands of Papua New Guinea.)

Water supply in hotter countries are disrupted

• As more frequent droughts occur, demand for fresh water increases.
• Crops that cannot survive in the altered weather suffer, affecting the food supplies for the locals.

Tourism 

• As coral reefs are being destroyed, it affects the tourism industry, resulting in a loss of revenue.

 

Health Impacts

Diseases

• Direct effects from rising temperatures, degraded air quality, and greater risks from Lyme disease, hantavirus, dengue, and other diseases carried by insects, mosquitoes and animals.

 

Political Impacts

Election
Due to global warming, government might change the way they approach their campaign. In a survey done in march 2016 in America, 43% selected more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who strongly supports taking action to reduce global warming while 14% selected less likely. In a similar survey in America, 45% selected less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who strongly opposes action to reduce global warming verses 11% who selected more likely. Presidential candidate would be more inclined to introduce measures to prevent global warming as part of their campaign. Hence this shows how global warming has affected political election.

Politics and Global Warming, Spring 2016

Bond

Since global warming occurs on a global scale with severe and long term consequences, such as biodiversity loss, extreme climate, and increased pollution. Global warming is not just the responsibility of one but of the many nations combined. This would mean that nations would be required to work with one another despite the many differences. Hence countries would come together and form diplomatic relationships in an act to reduce global warming

Opportunities and challenges: economic, social, and political impacts of climate change in the Arctic

Conflict

Due to global warming, the availability of clean water and land decreases. This would give rise to political conflict as there would be fight for resources. An example is the Civil war in Darfur. The conflict started in 2003 in Darfur, which was politically unstable. The drought that year lead to fights for the sparse living resources. Eventually, war broke out within the country as the limited resources coupled with political instability.

 

References:

1. https://ncse.com/library-resource/how-will-climate-change-affect-world-society

2. http://education.seattlepi.com/long-shortterm-effects-global-warming-5666.html