About Global Warming Effects on People

Melting ice caps and glaciers are expected to make sea levels rise substantially. Because about 10 percent of the world's population lives near the seas at elevations lower than 30 feet above sea level, even a slight rise would inundate extremely populace areas and leave millions of refugees. Rising sea levels will also affect the productivity of the ocean, particularly in areas that used to be shallow enough for the sunlight to penetrate the water.

Permafrost is the layer of permanently frozen soil that occurs in northern parts of the world. Inhabitants of these regions have built infrastructures including homes and roads on permafrost. If the permafrost melts, these structures will become less stable.

There are many species that will become extinct if global warming continues. Indigenous people that depend on these species (such as caribou and trout) for sustenance will suffer with their decline. Food webs will be disrupted as new predators are introduced and other ones become extinct. Pollinators that become extinct will no longer be around to pollinate plants, which may lead to a shortage in food. Dormant times may not be cold enough or long enough to kill pest species such as pine beetles and disease-carrying ticks.

The prevalence of many diseases will increase as global temperatures rise. Malaria, dengue fever, typhoid fever and malaria will becomes more common, especially in areas that become inundated with flood waters more frequently and for longer periods of time. This allows pests carrying disease to thrive and multiply. These areas, unfortunately, are also the areas that are less developed and without reliable access to medical care.

Many populations in South America, Europe and Asia depend on annual glacial melt for their water supply. As glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, these people are in danger of losing their water supply for drinking, crop irrigation and hydropower.