Rise In Sea Levels

The global climate has gone up only by 0.6 degrees Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit) in the last 130 years and it has affected us greatly. Scientist say that if the global climate change rises to 2.5 degrees Celsius (36.5 degrees Fahrenheit) then we are going to see the major effects of the ice melting at the polar caps. In 1998, 46 million people lived in areas that were in risk of flooding. Scientist say that if the sea level rises by only 50 centimeters the number of people in risk of floods would rise from 46 million to 92 million people. Coastal wetland ecosystems would also be effect greatly since they are generally a few feet from sea level. Important parts to animal ecosystems such as salt marshes and mangroves would be particularly vulnerable to rising sea level. These areas provide habitat for many species, play a key role in nutrient uptake, serve as the basis for many communities’ economic livelihoods, provide recreational opportunities, and protect local areas from flooding. If the sea level were to rise all those roles that wetlands provide wold be gone. The rise in sea levels would also have an affect on weather. This could cause storms to be a lot more destructive then they have ever been. There would be more flooding, bigger and stronger hurricanes, and more northeastern storms.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/coastal/index.html

Does climate change impact Ecosystems and Wildlife?

Does climate change effect ecosystems and wildlife in present day, or is the change in ecosystems and wildlife caused from other reasons like over population and the business industries. I believe that the cause for change in our ecosystems and wildlife today is because of climate change. One reason I believe this is true is because tens of thousands of Adelie penguins have died in Antarctic, this is because ice no longer extends far enough into the sea for them to reach their breeding grounds. Another concern are the Polar Bears. Since the ice in the Arctics is melting at a steady pace the Polar Bears can no longer go out on the ice to hunt seals and are falling through the ice and drowning. This is causing them to adapt to the land and to find new food sources. The ecosystems of the certain Tigers that live in the mangrove islands in the Sundarbans of India are in trouble.  They say by the 2020 that a dozen islands will disappear beneath rising seas. All because of a couple degrees of temperature change world wide. Turtles are one of the most effected animals. This is because the temperature of the sand determines the sex of the turtle. If the sand is cool it produces males if the sand is hot it produces females. Climate change is real and is effecting the world we live in today.