Running head: ADVERSE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING IN THE MISSISSIPPI

WATERSHED REGION

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

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Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

Introduction
Global warming is defined as the significant rise in the earths temperatures over time. A
considerable amount of evidence has shown that the earth is warming at a faster rate than it was
previously observed. The resultant effect of global warming has been climate change; which is
the significant changes in the measures of climate which usually lasts for a long period of time.
Recent research has shown that the excessive amounts of carbon and greenhouse gas (GHGs)
emissions into the atmosphere are the main causes of global warming. Carbon and GHG
emissions are mainly as a result of anthropogenic factors (human-related) that include
deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, poor waste management and dumping of waste in
landfills among many others. Despite an ever growing body of evidence showing that global
warming is happening, there are still a number of people who are not convinced that this
phenomenon is truly happening. Such individuals are responsible for misguiding the public on
the truth of the matter. The Mississippi Watershed region is one of the places that is experiencing
the adverse effects of global warming with water sources drying up and water shortage being
experienced (Gu et.al, 2003). Through the understanding of global warming and its effects,
measures can be taken to mitigate its effects and adaptive mechanisms can be devised.
Literature Review
Recent research has shown that the earth is warming at an alarming rate and this could be
dangerous to life. According to Grubb (2001), the earths average temperatures have risen by 1.40
and are expected to reach a high of 110F in the next a hundred years. The earths rising
temperatures are solely responsible for the drastic change in weather patterns and climate
change. The excessive release of carbon and greenhouse gas poisoning of the atmosphere bring

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

about the global warming phenomenon that ultimately results to climate change. Natural
processes such as volcanoes have been majorly responsible for the rising global temperatures,
but in recent years, the temperature rises have been at alarming rates. This accelerated
temperature rises can mainly be attributed to human activities on earth (Haldar, 2010). Over the
years, human-related activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, poor waste management
practices, certain agricultural practices, deforestation and industrial processes have released huge
levels of carbon (1V) oxide gas into the atmosphere (Desonie, 2008; Wollenberg, 2012). As
Hansen et.al (2013) note, human beings are the main causes of changes to the earths
atmospheric composition and consequently the main drivers of climate change currently and in
future.
The denial of global warming and human-induced climate change is mainly as a result of
lack of knowledge and awareness and ignorance. A number of researchers have noted that the
lack of information and knowledge about the very phenomenon of global warming, its causes
and effects has resulted in many skeptical individuals (Casper, 2010). Other reasons influencing
denial of global warming include political reasons where a number of political leaders openly
deny it to save their countries from paying the high carbon emission taxes. This was the main
reason as to why the Copenhagen talks on global warming and climate change collapsed. But to
a great extent, the huge information gap related to global warming has been the main driver of
skeptics all over the world. Despite global warming becoming a topic of heated debates in the
recent years, its effects are already being felt all over the world. The signs are everywhere and
some of them are surprising. Sea level rising in major coast lines, melting of the ice caps,
extreme weather events and melting of glaciers is some of the effects of global warming
(Desonie, 2008). Places that used to experience rain are now drying up from lack of rain for

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

prolonged periods and other areas are experiencing flooding at alarming rates. The Mississippi
watershed region is experiencing global warming with changes in the stream flow patterns being
observed (Gu et. al, 2008).
It can no longer be denied that global warming and climate change is currently happening
in the world. It has hence become a necessity to take the appropriate measures to curb the
growing menace and also mitigate the adverse effects. A number of measures can be taken to
effectively reduce global warming and climate change. Re-forestation is one of the ways of
reducing climate change as the trees would sequestrate the excess carbon dioxide gas in the
atmosphere. The adoption of greener sources of energy including solar energy, wind energy and
geothermal energy among many others would also go a long way in minimizing the impacts of
global warming and reversing its harmful effects. Other measures that can be employed to
mitigate global warming include the adoption of better waste management practices and greener
industrial processes.
Conclusion
From the sources discussed above, it can be concluded that global warming is happening
and its effects are far and wide. The sources are in agreement that human activities have played a
major role in accelerating the earths temperatures and leading to climate change. As a result,
there should be concerted efforts aimed at reversing the effects of climate change and measures
taken to effectively reduce the amounts of carbon and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. From
the sources, it has also been found out that the lack of knowledge and awareness plays a key role
in denial of global warming. Consequently, policy makers, organizations and community groups
should make efforts to ensure that the public is educated on global warming (Malsin, 2007;

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

Woodward, 2008). This awareness would go a long way in not only reducing the effects of global
warming but also reduce the number of its causes.

References

Adverse Effects of Global Warming in the Mississippi Watershed Region

Casper, K. J. (2010). Changing ecosystems:Effects of global warming. New York: Infobase

Publishing.
Desonie, D (2008). Climate: Causes and Effects of Climate Change. New York, N.Y: Chelsea
House
Dessler, Andrew E, and Edward Parson.The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A
Guide to the Debate. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Print.
Grubb, M., (2001). The Climate Change Debate. International Affairs. 77.2 (2001): 261-345.
Print.
Gu, R., Jha, M., Pan, Z., Takle, E. S., & Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. (2003).
The impacts of climate change on stream flow in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: A
regional climate model perspective. Ames, Iowa: Center for Agricultural and Rural
Development.
Hansen, James, Kharecha, Pushker, Sato, Makiko, Masson-delmotte, Valerie, Ackerman, Frank,
Beerling, David J., Hearty, Paul J., ... Zachos, James C. (2013). Assessing "Dangerous
Climate Change": Required Reduction of Carbon Emissions to Protect Young People,
Future Generations and Nature. Public Library Science.
Haldar, I. (2010). Global warming: The causes and consequences. New Delhi: Mind Melodies.
Maslin, M. (2007).Global warming:Causes, effects and the future. London: Voyageur Press.
Wollenberg, E., (2012). Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture. London: Earthscan.
Woodward, J., (2008). Climate Change. New York, N.Y: DK Publishing.