SOLUTIONS

Global warming; the unusual increase in earth’s average surface temperature and a recent social issue that has been impacting both mother nature and humans alike. Throughout the earth’s existence, climate change has been an evident and ongoing process, caused by changes in the sun’s energy and the earth’s atmosphere, However, recently, these natural events have no longer been the main cause for the occurrence of climate change. Sadly human activity has not only become the main reason for climate change, but it has also caused a rapid increase in the warming process, resulting in it doubling in the last 50 years. Due to greenhouse gases constantly being released into the atmosphere because of the industrial revolution, the world has been experiencing multiple phenomenons including, rising sea levels, acidity within the oceans, and loss of species. However, people often consider this social issue as irrelevant and non-important since they fail to see how it negatively affects human life on earth. This way of thought is adapted since this social issue does not hold only one person accountable for their actions but holds everyone accountable. Even though, global warming has negatively affected many things; it is human life that it can and will continue to affect beyond comprehension. If global warming is not dealt with in unity through the efforts of the general public, then it will result in severe health risks, poverty and displacement and water scarcity. 

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With the ongoing impact of global warming, health risks have been on a continuous rise, targeting people of low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities. Illnesses and death have become quite common, due to the frequencies of extreme weather (eg. heatwaves, storms, floods), water scarcity and pollution within the air. According to The World Health Organization, between the years 2030 and 2050 there will be approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year as a result of diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition and heat stress. Sadly, areas and developing countries that experience weaker health infrastructures, will find the most difficulty coping with the negative impacts of climate change. They will not be properly prepared to respond to the severe health issues within the area. It is through these vulnerable populations, their resilience to the changes and the pace of adaptation; that people can measure the health impacts of global warming.  Adaptation to transformed action is the only way to reduce the negative impacts of this social issue, and they include reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses through better transportation and eating healthier foods. 

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Another way global warming has negatively impacted human life on earth is through poverty and displacement. Extreme weather conditions flatten or sweep away people’s homes, prolonged droughts reduce food supplies while also drying up water sources and dying animals and withered crops destroy the livelihood for many families. According to the world bank, an additional 100 million people will be pushed into poverty and displacement if urgent action does not take place. Grievously, it is the poor of the world that are most drastically impacted, even though they are least to blame for this man-made social issue. The World Bank has also stated that unlike the developing countries, where only 1 in 5 of the poorest people are covered by social safety net programs, developed countries have the money to better protect themselves against the harmful impact of global warming. Without a unified will to change, the poor of both the developing and developed countries will be forced to continue to experience the harsh realities of climate change. 

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Water scarcity is another saddening impact on human life, that global warming has brought. It is one of the primary mediums through which the effects of climate change can see and measured clearly. Due to the ongoing increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface, water availability has decreased in its predictability. An increase in extreme weather conditions (eg. floods and droughts) have destroyed water points and sanitation facilities, contaminated water sources and reduced water availability. Such results have contributed to only worsening people’s situations by negatively impacting their health and productivity. 

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Increased health risks, poverty and displacement and water scarcity are only a few ways that global warming has impacted human life on earth. If change and transformation are not sought after by every capable person, then this ongoing social issue will only worsen and will do so by targeting the poor and vulnerable first.