The pace of destruction has increased due to our failure to admit that we are the primary cause of global warming and our reluctance to do something about it. Until we take responsibility as individuals, as families, as nations, and on a global level, the future consequences of our actions will be devastating.

The Arctic Is Melting
The glaciers are receding. Polar bears may be faced with extinction.This is all due to the increase in the Earth’s temperature. The average surface temperature has warmed approximately 1 degree F since 1970 and the 10 warmest years have all occurred since 1990. (NOAA’s 2005 State of the Climate Report and NASA’s 2005 Surface Temperature Analysis).

The artic is effected by global warming more than any other region in the world. Furthermore, the arctic has warmed nearly twice as fast as anywhere else and the more it melts, the faster the warming occurs. This phenomenon is due to the fact that as the ice sheets melt, less sunlight is being reflected back to space (ice and snow are highly reflective) and consequently, more sunlight is being absorbed by the earth. As a result, the artic is warming at a faster rate. It is a strong indicator of what will happen to the rest of the world if we continue to turn a blind eye to this crisis.

Rising Sea Levels
One of the other alarming consequences of Global Warming is rising sea levels, a primary result of warmer ocean temperatures and the melting ice caps. Water expands as it gets warmer which raises sea levels; as the ice caps melt, more water is added to our oceans which also raises sea levels. It is suggested that sea levels have risen worldwide 6-8 inches in the last century (IPCC, 2001).

If ocean levels continue to rise, as many scientists have predicted, the results could be catastrophic. Particularly, if Greenland and the Antarctic ice shelf continue to melt at their current rate, sea levels could rise up to 20 feet. The devastation would put the San Francisco Bay area, the southern parts of Florida, and parts of NYC underwater. And that is only the United States. Areas around the world would be impacted as well, many more severely.

Increased Severity of Storms
Although some believe there is no concrete scientific evidence to support the link between the increased severity of storms and global warming, there are many others who are confident that a relationship does exist between the two.

Warmer ocean water drives more energy into the tropical storms, making them more intense and potentially more destructive. In 2005, the Atlantic hurricane season hit an all-time high with 27 named storms. The insurance companies think global warming is to blame. Some coastal homeowners are losing their policies or watching their premiums skyrocket. In spite of the mounting evidence, the jury is still out on this one.

Habitats are Being Altered
Many species around the world are threatened by climate change, some even face extinction. Habitats are being altered. The rising temperatures affect the seasons, causing variations in season lengths. Winters are becoming shorter, summers longer. The ecological balance is deteriorating.

• Migratory patterns for birds and butterflies have changed.

• The destruction of the Amazon rainforest has driven some species to the brink of extinction while also emitting additional CO2 into
  the atmosphere.

• The sharp reduction of coral reefs is caused by warmer ocean temperatures and a more acidic ocean environment.

• Algae blooms are at their highest levels as a result of warmer water temperatures.

• Mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-carrying insect species have been able to expand to cover a broader range of area, thus
  increasing our exposure to harmful diseases such as West Nile virus and Lymes disease.

• Habitats for many species are moving to higher elevations.

Increased Drought and Wildfires
Increased drought and wildfires are more common with warmer temperatures. When temperatures increase, particularly in the summer months, more evaporation occurs. Greater evaporation could intensify drought conditions and fuel wildfires.

Economic Challenges
Economic challenges for the ski industry are increasing. Over recent years we’ve experienced warmer winters and less snowfall making it hard for ski resorts to yield profits. Many ski resorts have had to invest in more snow-making equipment, but that still doesn’t alleviate all their problems. Ski resorts can only make snow if temperatures cooperate (near freezing conditions) and even if temperatures are ideal, it still costs a significant amount of money to run and maintain these machines not to mention the amount of energy they use.

A Snowball Effect
As the ski resorts are struggling, the surrounding towns which thrive off these resorts are also taking a hard fall. Many businesses in ski areas make most of their money in the winter months, but with less snow, there are less skiers and less business for the local establishments. Even real estate is affected by climate change. Who wants to buy or rent a slope-side condo if there’s no snow?

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