4.2 Global Warming
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4.2.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
The water cycle will also be affected by the change of precipitation along with
other climate conditions. In case global warming prolongs, patterns of rainfall,
flood cycles, storms, and drought will happen, thus causing rapid changes in plant
distribution globally. Evaporation leads to the loss of freshwater from oceans;
however, it will precipitate over the land and get back into the sea. It is expected
that global warming will intensify this cycle, thus resulting in a rise in river runoff,
called river discharge (Pataki et al. 2011). River runoff has been increasing by an
estimated 1.5% annually, and the global water cycle is intensifying as a result of
global warming (Pataki et al. 2011).
Similarly, global warming will also increase the carbon cycle content because of
the large quantities of carbon in the atmosphere. On the sulfur cycle, there have been
no documented effects of global warming on this cycle (Refer to Chap. 2: Sulfur
Cycle section). However, recent evidence suggests that the sulfur cycle could play a
role in reducing the effects of global warming. Regarding the nitrogen cycle, climate
change may make it more difficult controlling it. Changing global weather patterns
could aggravate the creation of ozone. Extreme weather events have a likelihood of
driving up the use of fertilizers by making it harder for farmers to raise crops.
Explain three more effects under this section.
4.2.3 Weather and Climate
An apparent impact of global warming is the rise in global temperatures. Higher
global temperatures contribute to extreme weather events. Africa is the most
susceptible of all continents due to poverty and lack of preparedness. Some parts of
the African continent cannot withstand the hazardous weather that results in severe
damage and loss. For instance, East Africa has had numerous droughts. Ethiopia is
a case example where a prolonged drought in 2016 compelled the government to
mobilize resources to save lives. In 2017, Liberia and Sierra Leone were affected by
flash floods as well as mudslides, where hundreds of individuals lost their lives.
Global warming is further expected to contribute to the formation and intensity
of hurricanes. Whereas some experts predict that the frequency of hurricanes will be
reduced, while some places will experience frequent and intense hurricanes (Mori
et al. 2014). It is because hurricanes are facilitated by the temperature difference
between the cold upper atmosphere and the warm tropical ocean. Intense hurricanes,
including the 2013 Philippines’ Typhoon Haiyan could become more destructive.
87
4.2.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
The water cycle will also be affected by the change of precipitation along with
other climate conditions. In case global warming prolongs, patterns of rainfall,
flood cycles, storms, and drought will happen, thus causing rapid changes in plant
distribution globally. Evaporation leads to the loss of freshwater from oceans;
however, it will precipitate over the land and get back into the sea. It is expected
that global warming will intensify this cycle, thus resulting in a rise in river runoff,
called river discharge (Pataki et al. 2011). River runoff has been increasing by an
estimated 1.5% annually, and the global water cycle is intensifying as a result of
global warming (Pataki et al. 2011).
Similarly, global warming will also increase the carbon cycle content because of
the large quantities of carbon in the atmosphere. On the sulfur cycle, there have been
no documented effects of global warming on this cycle (Refer to Chap. 2: Sulfur
Cycle section). However, recent evidence suggests that the sulfur cycle could play a
role in reducing the effects of global warming. Regarding the nitrogen cycle, climate
change may make it more difficult controlling it. Changing global weather patterns
could aggravate the creation of ozone. Extreme weather events have a likelihood of
driving up the use of fertilizers by making it harder for farmers to raise crops.
Explain three more effects under this section.
4.2.3 Weather and Climate
An apparent impact of global warming is the rise in global temperatures. Higher
global temperatures contribute to extreme weather events. Africa is the most
susceptible of all continents due to poverty and lack of preparedness. Some parts of
the African continent cannot withstand the hazardous weather that results in severe
damage and loss. For instance, East Africa has had numerous droughts. Ethiopia is
a case example where a prolonged drought in 2016 compelled the government to
mobilize resources to save lives. In 2017, Liberia and Sierra Leone were affected by
flash floods as well as mudslides, where hundreds of individuals lost their lives.
Global warming is further expected to contribute to the formation and intensity
of hurricanes. Whereas some experts predict that the frequency of hurricanes will be
reduced, while some places will experience frequent and intense hurricanes (Mori
et al. 2014). It is because hurricanes are facilitated by the temperature difference
between the cold upper atmosphere and the warm tropical ocean. Intense hurricanes,
including the 2013 Philippines’ Typhoon Haiyan could become more destructive.