Introduction
Global warming is a challenge associated with the increase in the average temperature of the earth. The increase in the average temperature in the world occurs due to rising levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which emanate from the use of petroleum products. Some of the impacts of global warming include heat waves, melting of polar ice, an increase in water levels and its quality, and probable extinction of some plant and animal species. In this view, the essay summarizes two articles, compares and contrasts their views on climate change, and gives a personal stance on the perceptions of two articles on the effects of global warming.
Summary of Articles
The First Article: Five Potential Consequences of Climate Change for Invasive Species
According to the article, global warming can lead to the extinction of native species and the emergence of invasive species. Since invasive species are more tolerant compared to native species, they are likely to adapt quickly and easily to the climate changes and impacts of global warming than their native counterparts. The number of invasive species is higher than the number of native species. Hellmann, Byers, Bierwagen, and Dukes (2007) highlight that the adaptation of invasive species will lead to severe economic and ecological consequences. Additionally, many invasive species quickly adjust to climate changes and are present in several parts of the globe as opposed to the native species. Therefore, invasive species are likely to succeed and continue even after the climate changes related to global warming occur.
The article identifies the consequences of climate change as a reduction in the biodiversity, increase in density of present invasive species, the emergence of other invasive species, and changes in control measures of invasive species through a process known as an invasion pathway. Invasive species pass through various stages when adapting to the changes in weather and climatic conditions (Hellmann et al., 2007). These stages enable invasive species to develop a mechanism, which is different and more responsive to the effects of global warming. Hence, control and management of invasive species become a complex and difficult task. However, the native species do not build up the mechanism developed by invasive counterparts, and thus, they become vulnerable to the challenges posed by changes in climate.
The Second Article: A Review of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Surface Water Quality
The article outlines the fact that global warming poses challenges on the quality of fresh water on the planet. Since global warming leads to an increase in the average temperature of the world, it affects the availability of water due to increased evaporation rates, melting of ice, and an increase in sea levels. Whitehead, Wilby, Battarbee, Kernan, and Wade (2009) note that a rise in water levels due to glaciations and increased evaporation can occasion pronounced tsunamis and floods in areas adjacent to large water bodies and estuaries. Pollution brought about by the challenges associated with the rising water levels will lead to the intoxication of fresh water, which consequently affects the quality water. Moreover, with the rising use of petroleum products in processing plants, there is a likelihood of acid rains which results in acidification of fresh water; hence, affecting its quality. Increased evaporation, rising use of petroleum products in industries, and frequent floods affect the quality of freshwater and lead to its scarcity.
According to the article, several industries are releasing their effluence to water bodies and consequently reduce the quality of fresh water. Furthermore, changes in climate orchestrated by global warming have initiated challenges such as pollution of water. Pollution of fresh water takes place due to floods, and tsunamis, which introduce fresh water to the mainland where there are several processing plants filled with chemicals. Amplified use of petroleum products has also led to acidification of rainwater, and thus reducing the availability of fresh water. According to Whitehead et al. (2009), several water bodies have traces of chemicals such as ammonia, nitrates, and other chemicals. Therefore, the effect of global warming on the quality of water is a challenge that needs urgent redress.
Comparisons and Contrasts of Risk Perceptions
Both articles highlight the fact that global warming is a challenge that the planet is facing. According to the articles, global warming is an urgent matter that has dire consequences if the leaders of the world and other stakeholders fail to implement the proposed measures to combat the challenge. According to Hellmann et al. (2007), global warming leads to changes in climate, and as a result, there will be alteration in biodiversity and weather conditions. Changes in biodiversity is a problem that can lead to the extinction of the native species in the planet. The articles explain that global warming and climate changes are human-made changes, which owe their emergence to the rising use of petroleum products, which emit harmful elements to the atmosphere. Whitehead et al. (2009) argue that the effects of climate change, a result of global warming are no longer avoidable and require urgent solutions.
The articles demonstrate some differences in their perceptions of the effect of global warming. Hellmann et al. (2007) explain that global warming leads to the extinction of native species and succession from the invasive species. Contrastingly, Whitehead et al. (2009) argue that global warming affects the quality of freshwater in the world. According to Hellmann et al. (2007), the major challenge posed by global warming is the issue of invasive species, which threatens the existence of native species in their habitats due to succession and dominance. The article explains that invasive species are more likely to adapt to the changes presented by global warming than the native species. On the other hand, Whitehead et al. (2009) highlight that global warming leads to challenges such as glaciation, flooding, and pollution of freshwater on the planet. Thus, the quality of water will reduce due to its intoxication from chemicals such as ammonia and nitrates.
My Stance
Global warming is a challenge that needs urgent redress from the leaders of the world and the concerned bodies. The effects of global warming affect all facets of animal and plant life. The increased use of petroleum products in industries and inferior farming methods have led to high levels of chemical residues in the atmosphere, which affect the ozone layer. The rise in temperature has led to increased water levels in the sea, changes in rainfall patterns, and the occurrence of severe droughts in some parts of the world. The increased levels of water, severe droughts, and changes in rainfall patterns have caused a decrease in the supply of the basic requirements of humans such as food and freshwater in the world. Some of the measures that could help mitigate the challenges of global warming include reduction of industrial emissions, conservation of energy, and the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Conclusion
The rise in the average temperature of the world is one of the effects occasioned by pollution and human activities. According to the articles, global warming is a serious environmental issue that leads to contamination of water bodies and reduced quality of freshwater. Additionally, global warming can result in the probable extinction of native species and the succession of the invasive species of both plants and animals. Although the articles focus on different effects of global warming, both outline the fact that global warming is an environmental issue that needs an urgent solution.
References
Hellmann, J., Byers, J., Bierwagen, B., & Dukes, J. (2007). Five potential consequences of climate chnage for invasive species. Conservation Biology, 22 (3), 534-543.
Whitehead, P., Wilby, R., Battarbee, R., Kernan, M., & Wade, A. (2009). A review of the potential impacts of cimate chnage on the surface water quality. Hydrological Sciences, 54(1), 101-123.