Extreme heat and the unknown effects of climate change

All have heard of climate change’s effects, including increased global temperatures and continued heat waves in the southernmost U.S. states. Still, there are many unheard-of effects, including deadly weather events, new viruses, and loss of biodiversity on earth. 

Mr. James D. Forsberg, a Thomas Wootton High School teacher, says “anthropogenic causes” result in climate change. In particular, burning fossil fuels and specific chemical reactions, such as cement manufacturing, emit greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide. Moreover, agricultural practices, such as coal production and wastewater treatment, are a few of many producers of other greenhouse gasses like methane and nitrous oxide. According to the EPA, “some gases are more effective than others at warming the planet.” Altogether, these gasses trap solar radiation and release heat into the atmosphere, causing an increase in temperature. 

Though natural processes like volcanic emissions, changes in the Earth’s orbit, and variations in solar activity release greenhouse gasses—these emissions are incomparable to the unnatural amount released by human activity. NASA states that “volcanoes emit between 130 and 230 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year,” while burning fossil fuel releases about “26 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.” 

While carbon dioxide emissions have contributed to increasing temperatures, warmer weather causes other extreme weather events: hurricanes are becoming more dangerous, fiercer storms, and wildfires. Not only will climate change impact the environment, but it will also have unexpected consequences for all life on earth.

Forsberg says climate change will cause changes and losses in biodiversity. According to USDA, changing water temperatures in streams and lakes will result in lower oxygen levels, causing “declines in aquatic species diversity and stress on coldwater fisheries,” harming coral reefs and endangering ocean ecosystems. Overall, this will lead to the extinction of many species and food shortages. 

Furthermore, Forsberg states that the heat we have been experiencing is thawing glaciers and other bodies of water that contain inactive, ancient viruses and diseases which may emerge from their idle state in the distant future, threatening life on earth. At the same time, the thawing of glaciers also increases sea levels. This causes more flooding worldwide, ruining infrastructure, ecosystems, and even the economy.

We should expect a further increase in extreme temperatures shortly. According to NASA, “the global average temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5 degrees C (about 3 degrees F) within the next few decades”. While this might not seem like much, an increase of 1.5-2^oC can “lead to a reduction of rainforest biomass and will increase deforestation and wildfires.” Climate change is causing detrimental and hidden effects on earth, not just increasing temperatures. Before additional consequences of climate change emerge, we must fight for our planet.

Written by Anushka Gulla of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Graphic courtesy of Flickr