Effects Of Global Warming

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that the increase in global atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) is primarily due to fossil fuel use and, in a smaller but still significant level, to land-use change.

An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary by former United States Vice-President Al Gore, has also drawn public attention to the critical issue of global warming and how the burning of fossil fuels has increased the amount of C[O.sub.2] in the atmosphere. Global warming can result in many serious alterations to the environment, eventually impacting human health. It can also cause a rise in sea level, leading to the loss of coastal land, a change in precipitation patterns, increased risks of droughts and floods, and threats to biodiversity. The effects are already evident in areas like Nunavut, Canada, where Inuit hunters are facing survival challenges due to the thinning of the ice. Explorer Will Steger gives an account of hunters in the Baffin Island, who are faced with the dilemma of unsafe hunting due to ice loss, risking their lives to get in contact with sea animals.

Besides the visible effects on people's livelihoods, global warming is predicted to have a strong and adverse impact on human health. The populations of countries that have contributed the least to global warming are the most vulnerable to death and diseases brought about by higher temperatures. The coastlines along the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean and in sub-Saharan Africa will be at higher risk of enduring the health effects of climate change

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that climate change is responsible for at least 150,000 deaths per year, a number that is expected to double by 2030. The effects of global warming will cause dire health consequences:

Infectious diseases. IPCC predicts that global warming will worsen human health conditions, especially in tropical regions. In places like Africa, an increase in temperature signifies an increase in mosquito populations, thus escalating the risk of malaria, dengue and other insect-borne infections. Other regions are also affected. The United States experienced varying levels of malaria outbreaks; in 2006, the United Kingdom was plagued by an outbreak of legionnaires' diseases--a bacterial lung infection that scientists attribute to global warming. WHO states that global warming will also cause a major increase in insect-borne diseases in Europe. Countries like Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Turkey might already be in the danger zone for mosquito-borne malaria. However, the ability to tolerate temperature changes differs from region to region. Richer societies can utilize technological advances; for example, the use of more powerful air conditioners and the construction of houses minimize heat retention. On the other hand, developing countries lack not only the technological know-how, but also the resources and public health systems, required to prevent such outbreaks.

Heatwaves. Prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures can have serious health effects on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the sick. This was already seen during the 2003 heatwave in Europe, which claimed approximately 35,000 lives. In a study by Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research in the United Kingdom, scientists using computer models showed how greenhouse gas emissions have increased the likelihood of heatwaves. The most common health effect is hyperthermia or heatstroke that can be fatal if left untreated. IPCC predicts that global warming will lead to hot days, followed by nights of high temperatures.

Loss of agricultural productivity. Global warming can result in droughts that can worsen living conditions, particularly in Africa. The World Wild Fund has reported that climate change can drastically alter rainfall pattern, and risk water and food supplies for millions. The IPCC report estimates that approximately 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will be without adequate water and will face food shortages by 2020, as crop productivity will decline by about 50 per cent. Rising temperatures could also result in food shortages for 130 million people in Asia.

Asthma and other respiratory diseases. People suffering from heart problems are more vulnerable to increased temperatures, especially those living in already warm areas, as their cardiovascular system must work harder to keep their body cool. Hot temperatures increase the ozone concentration, which can damage people's lung tissue and cause complications for asthma patients and those with lung diseases.

Increased global warming can also pose a threat to national security, affecting food security, which, in turn, can lead to resource conflicts. At the UN Security Council debate on energy, security and climate, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett introduced global warming as a security risk. Despite opposition from many Council members, such as the Russian Federation and China, she argued that the loss of basic needs due to climate change in poor countries can increase the risk of conflicts. Similarly, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has labelled climate change as "an act of aggression by the rich against the poor".

It Is Our Matter

A fire and have an impact on ecosystems and many of the terrestrial processes, including climate change, would have been underestimated, according to a report of the panel, Thomas W. Swetnam, director of the Tree-Ring Research Laboratory at the University of Arizona, Tucson. "It is estimated that the deforestation from the burning of people, about one-fifth of humanity is causing global warming - and the percentage that could be the biggest. It is very obvious that the fire is the main driver of global climate change and this is a call to arms for scientists in the country study and a better assessment of the role of the Fire " All fires have a combined annual amount of the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is equal to 50% of this amount from the combustion of fossil fuels. "It is clear that the fire and one of the most important measures to combat climate change, but the fire does not respond - they feed the warming, which in turn the fire," The Vietnam. When plants are burned to the release of carbon storage increased global warming. More fires, more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, warming and more - and more warming, and fires. Excellent soot into the atmosphere - known as black carbon - even at high temperatures. "An alarming is that some in relation to the comments and other uncertainties, which could have an important role in the inclusion in the future of climate change," and warns Vietnam. 22 The report authors urge that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to the role of a comprehensive ceasefire in the global climate change, and the inclusion of the fire for a better future and reports on this topic. Never fire, because people on the ground, and the activity in any place and at a time and the omission of acceptable and maintains Vietnam. "The fire of the unusual, but very accurate."

Save Our Enviroment

Nations Trust Launches 'Cool Pavement Coatings'

PHOENIX, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- With the launch of the Emerald Cities Project May 2009, Nations Technology Trust Ltd. has initiated a green initiative aimed at Global Warming by introducing cool pavement products to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect of the cities. In July 2009, Nations Technology Trust Ltd. signed an Agreement to represent and market a Polymer Composite Micro-Overlay (PCMO E-Krete) developed by Polycon for introduction into global markets.

E-Krete polymer pavement coatings were originally developed for resurfacing, restoring, and extending the service life of asphalt pavement and have been used in military applications for over 10 years. It is lighter in color than asphalt, and has been tested and used by the Army Corps of Engineers for roads and airports. It meets with FAA approvals, Mil Specs, has a 10 year guarantee and is as now approved by numerous Departments of Transportation in the USA. Branded as "Emerald Cool Pavement" under the Emerald Cities Initiative, Nations Technology Trust Ltd. intends to offer this product in a palate of pre-mixed designer colors which can be added to the batch mix at the paving job site.

But why add color as a weapon against global warming? It seems so simple and so low-tech. According to Steven Chu, Nobel prize-winning physicist and now President Obama's Energy Secretary, changing the color of roofs, roads and pavements to reflect more sunlight and heat could play a big part in containing global warming. In fact, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California (of which Professor Chu was director) has calculated that changing surface colors in 100 of the world's largest cities could save the equivalent of 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide -- about as much as global carbon emissions are expected to rise over the next decade. "As a people, we are approaching the edge of the earth," remarks Ed Doyle, Director of Nations Technology Trust Ltd. "We are running out of time and really have no choice. But given the crisis, isn't it refreshing to realize we can do something 'simple' for a change that can actually make a difference?"

In marketing the "Emerald Cool Coatings" it is evident that many of the cities who need to take this action have no money for financing green projects at this time. "The mandate to reduce emissions combined with lack of funding for new projects puts most cities in a very difficult position," comments Sheri Roese, Director of the US Project Office in Phoenix, Arizona. "Through what we are now calling "Emerald Green Bonds," Nations Trust Ltd. is committed to assisting municipalities to leverage energy savings and carbon offset credits into private sector revenue bonds in order to get these projects done. Given the economy, this concept represents a creative new way forward."

Based in London, Nations Trust Ltd. has historically specialized in structured project finance risk mitigation solutions utilizing major international bank financing backed by investment grade insurance. Nations Technology Trust Ltd., a division, reviews and selects the best sustainable technologies for Emerald Cities Projects, providing solutions for city planners, community developers and municipalities.

Cool pavement benefits are not limited to heat island reduction. There also are a number of ancillary benefits which have been established by the EPA. Cool pavements can create improvements in water quality through reduced toxicity and heating of runoff into the water table; and polymer permeable pavement coatings have been shown to significantly reduce the noise of city streets and freeways.