12. Climate and its effects

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Climate change has already had some observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have sunk, ice on rivers and lakes have broken up earlier, and plants are flowering and blooming earlier. Scientists have predicted that glaciers will melt and sea levels will rise. Scientist predict that temperature will rise for decades. We believe that this sudden rise in temperature is due to too many greenhouse gasses that are destroying the ozone layer, the layer of the atmosphere that protects us from the majority of the sun's harmful rays. It is estimated that over the next decade the temperature will rise about 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The net damage of climate change however, will rise. In the US areas that experience heat waves, will get more intense longer heat waves. In Europe, the likely hood of flash floods will increase largely and the productivity of crop farms in southern Europe will decrease. In Africa, the costs, specifically the eastern coast will flood more extremely and often. In conclusion, if the human race can not adapt to these changes in our climate, we will deep, deep water.

Lorn Maxwell McLaren

Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/effects