Global Warming and Water

What is global warming?

In the last century, our planet’s average temperature has increased by approximately 1°C.

Just 1°C? This seems very small. So why is global warming such a big problem?

To answer your question, let’s compare the earth to the human body. What will happen if your body temperature increases by even a few degrees?

I will fall sick.

Exactly! Similarly, if the temperature of the Earth increases by even a few degrees the result is Climate Change.

The increase in temperature has caused glaciers to melt. Look at this effect on Pederson Glacier (Alaska).

Precipitation patterns will change

There may be more intense rainfall on rainy days

and more dry days in a year

What is the impact of a rise in sea levels?

Islands at low levels, such as Lakshadweep, can be flooded.Islands at low levels, such as Lakshadweep, can be flooded.

Entire ecosystems, such as the mangroves, can be wiped out.

Entire ecosystems, such as the mangroves, can be wiped out.

One of the countries worst affected by an increase in sea levels is Bangladesh.

Even by a half meter increase in sea level, 10% of the land in Bangladesh will be lost.

An increase in sea level will make diseases such as malaria (the mosquitoes that spread malaria lay eggs in watery areas) and cholera (which can spread by unclean water and ill-prepared food)

66% of the people of Bangladesh work in farms, however, low-lying farmland can be flooded by an increase in sea levels. This will reduce the economic activity in Bangladesh and, more importantly, displace people from their homes. To make matters worse, Bangladesh is an extremely densely populated country.

Case study: How will an increase in sea levels affect Bangladesh?

This image shows the change in pH of the oceans over the past 300 years. The brighter the color, the more the decrease in pH.

The solution is in our hands

Let’s take action

Before it’s too late

Acknowledgements• http://www.germanwatch.org/klak/fb-ms-e.htm• http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/cholera/en/• http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/132/Mangroves.html• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0420_040420_earth

day.html• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0323_060323_global

_warming.html• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_acidification• http://en.wikipedia.org/• http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/forum/climate-change/3364-sea-

level-rise-inundation-coastal-india.html• http://garamut.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/rainforest-politics-the-

carbon-credit-trade-in-png-an-essential-introduction/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/hypergurl/514534462/