Group 12

Effects in different aspects caused by global warming

Increasing water levels

• Increased water level is an effect caused by the melting glaciers. This will, and have already, made huge land areas covered by water, which is a big problem for the people who lives there.

• Economical point of view – The high water level leads to economical issues, people have to move away from their locations to other places and re-build their homes. This becomes a problem for both international organizations and national governments. The lack of financial material in the government budget will lead to unemployment in the country. This is the beginning of a “bad circle” that leads to decreased GDP/capita. A lower GDP in the countries will affect the standard of living in a bad way.

• Political point of view – The increased water level leads to huge complications which needs to be solved by collaboration between countries. It will also lead to a temporarily stagnation in international trades and economics, which might cause bad relationships between countries. In a critical moment like this (if the scenario with rising water levels would be reality) good relationships are required to help humans move across the borders.

• Social point of view - When people have to move closer together it can arise a cultural crash between different religions or people’s believes. When people involuntarily have to move between countries they are not willing to accept the new language and culture. Then riots can break out. In worse case scenario this can lead to civilian war.

• Environmental point of view – If the water keeps rising at this speed, most of the islands will disappear under water in approximately 50 years. For example big parts of Manhattan will disappear under the surface and the coasts of Australia will be covered by water. If the situation doesn’t take another turn, Holland will eventually be covered by water. It’s not a sustainable way to solve the problem through dike building.

This city will soon be covered by water. This is only the beginning of it…

This is what it could look like in most cities in 50 years

Melting ice on top of mountains

• Environmental point of view – If the ice melts, the water in the rivers will rise and create floods which is good to an extend. But if the floods get to great it will ruin the surrounding fields, the eco system and our societies. In time, when the glaciers are totally gone, the temperature will increase and the fresh water recourses will be very limited. This will have a certain affect on fields and forests when the peasants can’t irrigate their property anymore.

• Social point of view – Every nation needs water, but certain nations doesn't have enough. If the flooding starts to happen at different places because of the bigger amounts of water, it will ruin the ordinary “cycle”. This will create problems for those who wants the water, but can’t get it and also for the people who are not used to floods. In that case the floods will ruin the buildings, because the facilities are not built to resist large amounts of water. Farmers will get their fields destroyed and not be able to feed their families. The export will be absent when they no longer can produce grains.

• Economical point of view – To stop the large amount of water coming in, they must dam the river areas – which is an expensive cost. The fresh water will eventually run out and to get new fresh water we have to distillate the salt water. This is a long process and the governments have to build big facilities, which of cause is a huge cost.

• Political point of view – When this happens the affected places will need help from other countries around the world. This demands a good collaboration without any conflicts. All the countries also need to have good media service so everyone can broadcast the importance of collaboration in these future issues. We must also have leaders who are willing to help exposed countries with financial contribution. Corrupt governments are big threats in scenarios like this. We must all help each other.

Global and local currents and wind change direction.

• Environmental point of view – When the glaciers are melting and large amount of new water mixes up with the oceans, currents are changing their rout and their temperature. This can change the whole global climate. It has happened before, when the Gulf stream stopped and a new ice age started in Europe. If it would happen again the scientists claim that it in worst case would start another new ice age.

• Political point of view – The changing currents can create a new ice age or expand the deserts and this will of course impact the whole human kind. To stop this we need strong politicians that leads the way to prevent this to ever happen. Every country have to get involved into this debate to make a change. The G8 (group of eight) countries will play a big part. Without them it’s no use to start this debate.

• Social point of view – The winds can become stronger and develop in to tornados and other nature disasters. This will create problems for humans living in these areas. People will lose their homes in the big natural disasters, and families will be torn apart. And of course a new ice age would be devastating for our whole globe. Billion of people will die.

• Economic point of view – We need to put our planet as the highest priority and that will automatically lead to increased wealth in the world. In the end we will still be the winners if we prioritize our planet.

The current streams around the globe.

When the weather, winds and streams are changing hurricanes become larger and stronger.

The fresh water supply increases

• Environmental point of view – The global warming makes ice on top of every mountains melt, it will then become a lack of fresh water when it mixes up with the salt water in the oceans. The groundwater level will sink down deeper in the ground. The rainwater will be contaminated with chemicals and medicines that won’t disappear. All sources of fresh water will increase which will create huge problems.

• Social point of view – It is already hard for many people to have access to fresh water and now it will get even harder when the glaciers are melting away and the rivers with the fresh water dwindle. Water has been one of the main reasons for war between countries in dry areas. The food supply will stagnate when people no longer can irrigate their fields.

• Political point of view – If war breaks out as a result of this issue, strong leaders will be needed. We would also need a common peace preventing organization, like FN, if not even stronger. The leaders need to stay calm and not only think for what’s best for their people in long terms.

• Economic point of view – A major issue for global organizations is the financial part. It demands a lot of recourses to do peace preventing operations. Digging deeper wells will also cost a lot money for the people. When the rainwater gets contaminated it will cause more deceases and medical support will be needed. Healthcare is always a central issue that needs to be solved quickly.

The glaciers are fresh water but when they melt and mix with the oceans the fresh water “disappears”.

The heat makes the rivers dry up.

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