Running head: ADVERSE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING IN THE MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED REGION

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region 4

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed RegionName:

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Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed RegionIntroductionGlobal warming is defined as the significant rise in the earths temperatures over time. A considerable amount of evidence has shown that the earth is warming at a faster rate than it was previously observed. The resultant effect of global warming has been climate change; which is the significant changes in the measures of climate which usually lasts for a long period of time. Recent research has shown that the excessive amounts of carbon and greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions into the atmosphere are the main causes of global warming. Carbon and GHG emissions are mainly as a result of anthropogenic factors (human-related) that include deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, poor waste management and dumping of waste in landfills among many others. Despite an ever growing body of evidence showing that global warming is happening, there are still a number of people who are not convinced that this phenomenon is truly happening. Such individuals are responsible for misguiding the public on the truth of the matter. The Mississippi Watershed region is one of the places that is experiencing the adverse effects of global warming with water sources drying up and water shortage being experienced (Gu et.al, 2003). Through the understanding of global warming and its effects, measures can be taken to mitigate its effects and adaptive mechanisms can be devised.Literature ReviewRecent research has shown that the earth is warming at an alarming rate and this could be dangerous to life. According to Grubb (2001), the earths average temperatures have risen by 1.40 and are expected to reach a high of 110F in the next a hundred years. The earths rising temperatures are solely responsible for the drastic change in weather patterns and climate change. The excessive release of carbon and greenhouse gas poisoning of the atmosphere bring about the global warming phenomenon that ultimately results to climate change. Natural processes such as volcanoes have been majorly responsible for the rising global temperatures, but in recent years, the temperature rises have been at alarming rates. This accelerated temperature rises can mainly be attributed to human activities on earth (Haldar, 2010). Over the years, human-related activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, poor waste management practices, certain agricultural practices, deforestation and industrial processes have released huge levels of carbon (1V) oxide gas into the atmosphere (Desonie, 2008; Wollenberg, 2012). As Hansen et.al (2013) note, human beings are the main causes of changes to the earths atmospheric composition and consequently the main drivers of climate change currently and in future. The denial of global warming and human-induced climate change is mainly as a result of lack of knowledge and awareness and ignorance. A number of researchers have noted that the lack of information and knowledge about the very phenomenon of global warming, its causes and effects has resulted in many skeptical individuals (Casper, 2010). Other reasons influencing denial of global warming include political reasons where a number of political leaders openly deny it to save their countries from paying the high carbon emission taxes. This was the main reason as to why the Copenhagen talks on global warming and climate change collapsed. But to a great extent, the huge information gap related to global warming has been the main driver of skeptics all over the world. Despite global warming becoming a topic of heated debates in the recent years, its effects are already being felt all over the world. The signs are everywhere and some of them are surprising. Sea level rising in major coast lines, melting of the ice caps, extreme weather events and melting of glaciers is some of the effects of global warming (Desonie, 2008). Places that used to experience rain are now drying up from lack of rain for prolonged periods and other areas are experiencing flooding at alarming rates. The Mississippi watershed region is experiencing global warming with changes in the stream flow patterns being observed (Gu et. al, 2008).It can no longer be denied that global warming and climate change is currently happening in the world. It has hence become a necessity to take the appropriate measures to curb the growing menace and also mitigate the adverse effects. A number of measures can be taken to effectively reduce global warming and climate change. Re-forestation is one of the ways of reducing climate change as the trees would sequestrate the excess carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere. The adoption of greener sources of energy including solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy among many others would also go a long way in minimizing the impacts of global warming and reversing its harmful effects. Other measures that can be employed to mitigate global warming include the adoption of better waste management practices and greener industrial processes.ConclusionFrom the sources discussed above, it can be concluded that global warming is happening and its effects are far and wide. The sources are in agreement that human activities have played a major role in accelerating the earths temperatures and leading to climate change. As a result, there should be concerted efforts aimed at reversing the effects of climate change and measures taken to effectively reduce the amounts of carbon and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. From the sources, it has also been found out that the lack of knowledge and awareness plays a key role in denial of global warming. Consequently, policy makers, organizations and community groups should make efforts to ensure that the public is educated on global warming (Malsin, 2007; Woodward, 2008). This awareness would go a long way in not only reducing the effects of global warming but also reduce the number of its causes.

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