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The issue of global warming is surrounded by many arguments
that question whether significantly detrimental effects will result and to
what degree they will be detrimental. The controversy surrounding the
issue is based in the uncertainty involved in predicting long-term climate
changes. Critics of pessimistic predictions cite the fact that models
attempting to predict climate changes often leave out vital factors. This
paper assumes global warming to be a considerable factor affecting the
well being of the ecosystem. While global warming will have its most
harmful effect on underdeveloped countries, the changes it will cause
in the ecosystem will concern every nation to some degree. Examples
of instances in which global warming will have a greater effect on
impoverished countries include the spread of tropically born diseases
and the rise of the sea level. Countries that lack adequate health care
at present will have greater difficulty combating diseases previously
unknown to them. In contrast, nations such as the United States will
be able to monitor diseases and prevent their spread. Also, the rise in
sea level will decimate farmlands in countries such as Bangladesh, which
are already on the verge of starvation. One aspect of global warming
that even the wealthiest nations will have difficulty coping with is the
threat to world’s fresh water supply. Increased heat will lead to increased
water evaporation, which will lessen run-off supplies of water available
for crop irrigation and human consumption. Another factor of global
warming that will transcend wealth barriers is the predicted mass
extinction and reduction of biodiversity. Humans rely on other species
for food, medicine, and maintenance of the environment. A loss of
biodiversity will eventually have a direct effect on all of humanity.
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