The Impact of Global Warming on Human Health Essay -- Environmental Gl

The Impact of Global Warming on Human Health   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout the world, the presence of particular diseases and other threats to human health depend largely on the local climate. Extreme variation in temperature can directly, and indirectly, cause the loss of human life. The threat of a gradual increase in temperature could be catastrophic to the world, as we know it. In 1999, a heat wave killed more than 250 people in Chicago alone (Union of Concerned Scientists). Many consider such an event as a natural disaster. However, scientists warn the average global temperature has increase 0.5  ° F in the past 40 years. This is half of the total increase in surface temperature, 1 °F, since the late 19th century. At its current rate, the global temperature could rise 2 ° to 6 °F in the next 100 years (Union of Concerned Scientist).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Such a drastic increase in the rate of temperature increase is due to the industrial revolution. In the past 40 years, the world has seen a drastic increase in population and the use of fossil fuels (gasoline, oil, coal or natural gas). These fuels are used to run our cars, heat and cool our homes, manufacture goods in our factories and to ship goods for worldwide consumption. The focus, until lately, has been to produce maximum product at a minimum price to maximize profit. Little to no care was taken to minimize the amount of fossil fuels used in the production of goods. Recently, it has become evident that such practices lead to the production of greenhouse gases. Whenever fossil fuels are burned for energy, greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide builds up in the earth’s atmosphere (Union of Concerned Scientists).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another reason why greenhouse gases have increased is due to the decrease in the amount of plant life, commonly called deforestation. Plant life is the only thing known on earth to consume carbon dioxide. However, due to the need of raw materials (wood and paper pulp), industrial nations tend to cut down more trees than they can reforest (Fuller 454). Also, toxins produced as a by-product of industrialization have killed plant life. Therefore, a greater amount of carbon dioxide is being produced at the same time less carbon dioxide is being consumed, leading to dangerous consequences.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The combination of pollutants and deforestation has lead to what is commonly called the Greenhouse Effect. The term... ...ure on the government to create legislation that will save the environment as well as keep our energy rates low and stable. Such legislation is almost impossible. A good first step for the government would be to create effective, mass public transportation such as the train and subway systems of Europe. However, we the residents of this planet, also must do our part to reduce our role in polluting the environment. After all, we are the ones who have to live with, or die from, the consequences of our actions. Works Cited Buchholz, Rogene A. Principles of Environmental Management. (1984). Christianson, Gale E. Greenhouse: The 200-Year Story of Global Warming. (1999). Fuller, Jim. â€Å"Ministers Unable to Reach Agreement at Climate Change Conference†. November 25, 2005. Http://globalchange.gov/news/hague_conference_2005_1125.html Leggett, Jeremy. The Climate Time Bomb: Signs of Climate Change from The Greenpeace Database (Amsterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Greenpeace Council, 1994). Revkin, Andrew. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast.(2004). Union of Concerned Scientist. â€Å"Safeguarding the web of life: Global Environment†. June 29, 2006. http://www.uscusa.org