Water Resource Plan

Global Warming and Water Resources

Climate change is a global problem . Its causes a string of effects but particularly , it affects water resources . As global warming affects the marine ecosystems and as it contributes to the melting of the polar ice caps , mankind is facing a bleaker future

Climate change , also known as global warming or the greenhouse effect is caused by the excessive amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the Earth 's atmosphere . These greenhouse gases prevent heat from escaping the atmosphere resulting in a considerable warming of

br temperature . This phenomenon results in many problems . This greenhouse effect is natural and without it , the Earth would be too cold to sustain the current ecosystem , but the problem is the warming of the planet is reaching very high levels (West , What is the Greenhouse

The melting of the polar ice caps is a major concern especially when talking of global warming . One particular aspect is that the melting of the polar ice caps will result in rising sea levels . According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center , sea levels would rise by as much as 230 feet if all the polar ice caps melted . This will provide a threat to people especially those living near the coastlines (5 Deadliest Effects 2007

The ice caps are formed from fresh water and the melting of these polar ice caps makes seawater more saline . Thus , it creates an imbalance in the marine ecosystem . In one case , swarms of jellywish invaded the waters near the coastline where they usually do not reside in . A survey by Oceana indicated that they are ten jellyfish for every square meter in some coastal areas in Spain . According to Frances Peters from the Institute of Marine Science in Barcelona , higher water temperature and higher water salinity forces these creatures to move to waters near the coastline (BBC , 2008

The melting of the ice caps also threatens different species of animals in the arctic region . Due to the changes in their natural habitat , some animals in this part of the world may find it hard to adapt to the changes which can ultimately lead to their extinction (5 Deadliest Effects , 2007

Climate change also results in seawater turning into acid . Excess carbon dioxide is absorbed by the sea and when carbon dioxide is mixed with seawater , a weak type of carbonic acid is formed . Erosion provides the waters with a natural buffer to the acid which is the calcium coming from rocks that underwent weathering . However , rising carbon dioxide levels have began to alter this balance . The rising acidity of seawater poses a threat to the thriving marine ecosystems including the corals (Spotts , 2004

A huge portion of the Earth is water and water is a main component of life . If water resources are affected by climate change , thus , all living things would be affected . A disturbance in the balance of marine life as an effect of global warming will affect the world 's food...