5 Ways Climate Change Will Affect Humanity
Climate change is the change in the usual weather patterns around the world. Most commonly, it is associated with warming temperatures, and this will have a huge impact on our world.
Today I will cover the 5 most impactful ways climate change will affect humanity.
1. Global Warming
Let’s start off with the obvious, and frankly most impactful, global warming. The temperatures are rising, and this year has highlighted that fact in spades.
The summer heatwaves around the world have proven that the temperature has already risen.
In truth, the warming temperatures are the main cause of the following factors on this list, but let’s look at the heat itself. Humans cannot survive when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time.
This can lead to heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. As a result, outside jobs will become very difficult. The excessive heat might even prevent labor-intensive jobs.
2. Rising Sea Levels
The Ice sheets are melting and the entire world will be extremely different when it happens. Did you know that if all of the ice melted in Antarctica the sea level would rise by 230 feet?
That would submerge all of the current coastal regions and many islands. It would shrink the amount of inhabited land for humans, causing a mass exodus further inland.
This could dislocate billions of people resulting in overcrowded cities and towns.
The good news is that this actually won’t happen, at least to this extreme. But the sea levels will rise by multiple feet in the future. The outcome will be similar.
3. The Food Supply Will Be in Jeporady
It’s a well-established fact that some plants and crops only grow in certain climates. Temperature plays a huge role in forming the right conditions for plants to grow, thus you can expect that the food available will change.
For instance, research into this topic already indicates that corn production will be lowered as the temperature increases. This is one of the largest crops and it influences so many products, even outside of the food industry.
Not only will the yields and availability be lowered, but the nutritional value will also be impacted as well.
4. Extremel Wether Will Become More Frequent & Intense
While heatwaves are one form of extreme weather, most will probably think of hurricanes when they hear the term. Hurricanes are formed when the ocean temperature reaches 82F and other conditions are met.
This is why hurricane season typically begins June 1st. The temperatures are usually high enough to form hurricanes. And the warmer the water, the more intense the storm. Climate change will cause both of these things to happen.
In fact, hurricane season began early this year. And we are on track to have a historic season.
5. Droughts Will Intensify
If you live in the western US, the drought has been ongoing for years, and it’s only getting worse. Climate change is making droughts far more potent while maintaining the lack of water for an extended period of time.
However, in the future, this will not just be a problem exclusive to the Western US. The world as a whole will be more susceptible to droughts, which will severely impact our freshwater supply.
And without freshwater, well, I think you can probably come up with the rest.
The Science is There
Although deniers still won’t believe there is a problem, the fact of the matter is that the world is, indeed, heating up. And it’s only going to get worse if nothing is done.
If you’re still a climate change denier, simply take a look around. Not only is science saying otherwise, but mother nature is as well.
The Earth will still be here for billions of years. The question is, will humanity?
Robert has been following and writing about environmental stories for years at GreenGeeks. He believes that highlighting environmentally friendly practices can help promote change in every household.
