What are some possible effects of climate change resulting from a warmer earth? What are the major harmful eff

Question

What are some possible effects of climate change resulting from a warmer earth? What are the major harmful effects of ozone depletion on each of the following:

1. human health

2. crop yields

3. forest productivity

4. materials such as plastics and paints

5. plankton productivity

Answer 1

Harmful Effects
i. The connection between Ozone Depletion and UVB Radiation - Reductions in ozone levels will lead to higher levels of UVB reaching the Earth's surface. The sun's output of UVB does not change; rather, less ozone means less protection, and hence more UVB reaches the Earth.

ii. Effects on human health - UVB causes nonmelanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. In addition, UVB has been linked to cataracts. All sunlight contains some UVB, even with normal ozone levels. It is always important to limit exposure to the sun. However, ozone depletion will increase the amount of UVB, which will then increase the risk of health effects. -- Skin Cancer (melanoma and nonmelanoma) -- Premature aging of the skin and other skin problems -- Cataracts and other eye damage -- Immune system suppression

iii. Effects on plants - Physiological and developmental processes of plants are affected by UVB radiation, even by the amount of UVB in present-day sunlight. Despite mechanisms to reduce or repair these effects and a limited ability to adapt to increased levels of UVB, plant growth can be directly affected by UVB radiation. Indirect changes caused by UVB (such as changes in plant form, how nutrients are distributed within the plant, timing of developmental phases and secondary metabolism) may be equally, or sometimes more, important than damaging effects of UVB. These changes can have important implications for plant competitive balance, herbivory, plant diseases, and biogeochemical cycles.

iv. Effects on Marine Ecosystem - Phytoplankton form the foundation of aquatic food webs. Many phytoplanktons are capable of active movements that enhance their productivity and their survival. Exposure to solar UVB radiation has been shown to affect both orientation mechanisms and motility in phytoplankton, resulting in reduced survival rates for these organisms.

v. Effects on Biogeochemical Cycles - Increases in solar UV radiation could affect terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical cycles altering both sources and sinks of greenhouse and chemically important trace gases e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and possibly other gases, including ozone.

vi. Effects on Materials - Synthetic polymers, naturally occurring biopolymers, as well as some other materials of commercial interest are adversely affected by solar UV radiation. Today's materials are somewhat protected from UVB by special additives. Therefore, any increase in solar UVB levels will therefore accelerate their breakdown, limiting how long they are useful outdoors.

vii. Lack of food - The ultraviolet light will kill off small plankton and small microscopic organisms that live on the bottom of the food chain. Inevitably, the species above the plankton (in the food chain) will have a lack of food, a domino effect will occur. Eventually, humans, at the top of the food chain could suffer. Plants will also have a negative effect. The natural supply of nitrogen might be lower causing plants to grow slower and smaller. Again, less food will follow; for those who live off vegetation would not be able to survive (due to the lack of plants), and once again, the domino effect will occur

Answer 2

A warmer earth will yield a more hospitable planet. More arable land, more rainfall, more capacity to support life, etc.

The jury is out on whether we have even HAD any ozone depletion. We have only been measuring it for 30 years and the ozone layer grows and shrinks for reasons we don't understand.

Answer 3

Learn more about climate change and its effects on polar bears on our Web site, www.naturecanada.ca.

Answer 4

Think that it might be good,why do u only think the bad effects . We might become a tropical paradise.