Climate Change
Greenhouse Gases
Methane
Carbon Dioxide
Released through melting permafrost soils
Released by cow flatulence
Released in the process of fracking for Natural Gas
Released by the burning of fossil fuels
Less of it is being captured by trees due to deforestation
Absorbed by the ocean
This leads to increase in ocean temperatures
Expanding ocean waters = sea-level rise
This leads to the ocean becoming more acidic
Acidification of oceans is killing coral reefs
Oil
Natural Gas
Coal
Oil drilling on land and in oceans results in leaks
Fracking for natural gas releases methane and pollutes groundwater sources
Mining for coal requires deforestation and mining byproducts are toxic to rivers and groundwater sources
Deforestation of rainforests and other environmentally important lands for cattle to graze
Deforestation of rainforests and other environmentally important land in order to build palm oil plantations
Warming Atmosphere
Increase in heatwaves in cities
Increase in droughts (lack of rain)
Palm oil plantations get burned down every 20-25 years to restart, releasing tons of carbon dioxide
The beef industry is growing - not just methane release, but also pollution from the transportation of the beef across the world
Increase in UV radiation (source of skin cancer)
Increased melting of glaciers
Melting glaciers causes more sea-level rise
Sea-level rise is causing flooding of many coastal cities
Shifting Climate Zones
Some species will become endangered
Some species will become extinct
Some species will be forced to relocate
Species could migrate to human-dominated zones
Increases in methane will increase the greenhouse effect
Burning of Natural Gas will increase the greenhouse effect
Natural Disasters
Hurricanes/Typhoons/Cyclones are becoming more frequent and more severe
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more severe
Sea-level rise and flooding is making the damage from storms on coastal cities worse
Droughts are becoming more common and lasting longer due to increases in heat and low precipitation
More regions of the world will begin to experience natural disasters and the costs of their damage
Competition for ecosystems could lead to problems in food webs
Human migration
Natural Disasters and climate related problems cause an increase in poverty
Political protests and tensions can arise when people feel their government is not caring/helping
War is a possible side-effect of climate related disasters/changes
Human migration is a huge global crisis