Thursday, December 6, 2007

Humans: we tend to be a little selfish.


It cannot be denied that global warming is affecting our environment. I do believe, however, that the effects are positive as well as negative. The effects of global warming on humans, while it is obviously important, is not the only thing we should think about. The animals and marine life, are just as important as us. And to be perfectly honest, we’re destroying the environment, and the animals are doing nothing wrong. Therefore, it should be taken into account that the animals are positively affected.

For example, the estuaries in our environment will benefit from global warming. An estuary is the part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides. The rise in sea level may regenerate the animals and marine life that have shallowed due to the increased sedimentation. Also, the rise in sea level will be beneficial to safer navigation because the waterways channels will become deeper.
While global warming cannot be denied, the positive benefits cannot be denied either. Therefore, while humans may be adversely affected, the animals could be helped. Marine life can be helped and why wouldn’t we want to help them in the end?

Resources:
http://www.soes.soton.ac.uk/teaching/courses/oa217/groupb.pdf
http://www.answers.com/topic/estuary?cat=technology

More crops and healthier biota

It is now understood that crop production will increase due to more CO2 in the environment. However, it does not stop there, the biota in the environment will also be helped from the increasing amount of greenhouse gases and CO2 in the environment. The native flora and fauna of Kosciuszko National Park, will be affected by the mean average annual increase in temperature. With the increase in the occurrence and distribution of several dominant plant communities (tall alpine herbfield, heathland and sod-tussock grassland), more of these important plants will be around. The fauna will not increase at the same rate, however. While global warming helps flora, it will actually decrease the amount of fauna. However, the higher increase in temperature will help be positive for the health and amount of birds around the area. The Kosciuszko National Park will investigate and look into ways to fix the problems from global warming, and to facilitate the positive affects that have been found.

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/publications/alps.html

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Who Doesn't Like It When It's Warm? No one!


Global Warming does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. It is understood that increasing global temperatures will warm the earth's surface. However, based on this information the mortality, illness, and wage rates will change. And for the better! If the temperature rose 2.5 degrees Celcious, which it ultimately will, deaths in the United States from respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and influenza, diseases of the circulatory system and even infectious diseases would drop by about 40,000 per year (Source 1). This is a positive benefit that cannot be denied.
Warming in the environment could also reduce medical costs by about 20 million dollars annualy. Why would we not want this, as Americans, especially since the price of medical insurance is so high already. And finally, it is easy to assume that Americans prefer a warmer climate overall which would push more people to work. If the environment is conducive to working outside, more people will do it.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Global Warming Yields More Crops

It is now scientifically proven that the so called damaging greenhouse gases can help produce more crops. The production of fruits and seeds in crops such as wheat, rice and soybeans will increase due to the higher levels of CO2. This study showed that the higher levels of carbon dioxide, while it may have a negative effect on some parts of the environment, help the plants produce a higher yield of crops. Carbon dioxide is considered a "gaseous fertilizer" and in recent studies has shown effects on over 79 species of plants (corn, cotton, wheat, rice, wild radish, and heath plants).

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1122_021125_CropYields.html

Useful websites

http://www.stanford.edu/~moore/health.html
^ This website not only discusses the disadvantages, but it highlights the benefits of a warmer climate. It was produced at Stanford University, meaning it is a valid source, and relates to the topic that global warming does produce a positive impact.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1122_021125_CropYields.html
^ This article from National Geographic points out that global warming may boost crop yields. The elevated amount of greenhouse gases will boost production of fruits and seeds in many popular crops.
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/publications/alps.html
^ This article highlights the effects global warming will have on the biota in the Australian Alps. While there are obvious damaging effects, the benefits are also many.
http://www.soes.soton.ac.uk/teaching/courses/oa217/groupb.pdf
^ This document is an entire paper on the positive effects of global warming on estuaries. It states that there are damaging effects but that the positive effects were important to take into account.
http://www.mydigitallife.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7975&Itemid=43
^ This website, while a little unorthodox, calls into account some positive things global warming can bring about.
http://www.ncpa.org/ea/eamj96/eamj96e.html
^ This website tells in detail about the benefits of global warming. It is a valid source (Stanford) and makes the case for a good global warming scenario.