Global Warming in Canada Term Paper

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Overview of Global Warming

Global warming is defined as the rise in the average temperature of the earth’s surface as a result of natural changes in climatic patterns. It is closely related to increased green house effect which is described as an increase in the concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere.

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The increase in the concentration of green house gases consequently leads to a rise in the amount of thermal and infrared radiations on the surface of the earth. Most scientists have come to a conclusion that green house effect leads to a rise in temperatures, a phenomenon referred to as global warming and other numerous atmospheric changes which are collectively referred to as climate change (Global greenhouse warming, 2011).

Some of the common green house gases associated with global warming include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and other gases rich in fluorine. These gases allow heat from the sun to penetrate into the atmosphere without allowing it to diffuse back.

A high number of green house gases means that a lot of heat remains enclosed in the earth’s atmosphere. As a result, it is not possible for the earth to sustain life without the presence of these green house gases since it would be extremely cold due to lack of heat trapped in the atmosphere.

This paper will look at both positive and negative changes affecting Canada as a result of global warming.

Positive Changes of Global Warming affecting Canada

The first positive change of global warming affecting Canada relates to the Canadian forests. There is a close and significant relationship between Canadian forests and global warming. Global warming is largely caused by carbon dioxide which is an important component in the growth of forests.

Healthy forests play a crucial role in eliminating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the form of organic carbon. Forests are therefore important storage places of carbon dioxide that is likely to alter the concentration of gases in the atmosphere.

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The forests are important in regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is a positive change associated with global warming in Canada (Environment Canada, 2010).

The second positive change associated with global warming in Canada is enhanced growth of forests. It converts some areas into viable spots for the growth of deciduous forests. Some of the deciduous forests and other forests comprising of a mixture of trees thrive well in warmer climates and this enhances the growth of forests.

In addition, increased concentrations of carbon dioxide lead to the fertilizer effect in the forests. This is important in the growth of forests since it increases the rate of photosynthesis in trees hence boosting their growth. In this sense, global warming brings a positive change towards the growth of forests in Canada.

The third positive change of global warming in Canada is increased crop yields. Measurements done by use of satellites indicate that Canada is now greener than it was before the onset of global warming. Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is associated with increased food production in Canada.

Its presence is attributed with additional fertilizers to the soil. In addition, warmer climate in Canada implies that the growing season is lengthened leading to increased output. When this is combined with decreased frost and increased rainfall, the agricultural sector in Canada benefits a lot.

Global warming also increases the agricultural land available for cultivation alongside making it easier for extraction of minerals. This results in overall increase in the gross domestic product and a positive change in the economy of Canada .

The fourth positive change of global warming in Canada is the increase in the agricultural land available. Large pieces of land in the Southern part of the border between Canada and the US are not suitable for human habitation. This compels most of the Canadian citizens to avoid the region.

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However, with the onset of global warming, this inhabitable region has been a habitat for human beings. As ice moves towards the poles, more land which is used for both agricultural and residential use is created. The land becomes agriculturally productive and lengthens the growing seasons.

My opinion is that the conversion of the forest areas in Canada into usable land is beneficial since it brings a cooling effect. This is because the crops grown are good reflectors of sunlight and add moisture into the air. In addition, the increased agricultural activities in the region make it easier for harmful effects of global warming to be dealt with.

The boreal forests found in Canada are dark, a quality that enables them to absorb heat. They also do not lose their water easily since they have thick leaves. Converting these forests into agricultural lands assists in replacing the boreal forests with tropical ones which balance the negative effects of global warming .

Moreover, global warming in Canada leads to increased influx of tourists due to warmer temperatures. Tourists prefer warmer temperatures which are caused by global warming and their visits to Canada lead to economic gains.

In my opinion, global warming helps people remain healthier in Canada since they are not exposed to sicknesses that arise from cold weather. The possibility of healthier conditions in Canada due to warmer temperatures is a factor that attracts tourists to the country.

Negative Impacts of Global Warming affecting Canada

Despite the positive changes of global warming that are evident in Canada, there are also negative changes associated with the phenomenon. The first negative change of global warming affecting Canada is interference with the natural forests. Approximately half of the land mass of Canada is covered by forests. These forests are important because of their environmental influence and sustenance of fisheries and wildlife.

In addition, they are important for their cultural heritage in Canada. Forests are considered by many Canadians as an important treasure that should be preserved for future generations. Apart from being symbols of heritage for the Canadian population, the forests contribute significantly to the economy of the country. They are a source of employment opportunities and generate revenue for the government.

Climatic changes resulting from global warming affect these forests in different ways. For instance, increased concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and warmer climates affect the growth of forests and the rate at which trees reproduce. This in turn has a negative effect on the extent of forests in Canada.

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Such changes are disadvantageous to the country since they reduce the amount of money that the government gets from forest resources. This is because harvestable forests in Canada contribute towards the economy through revenues and employment opportunities (Johansen, 2009).

The second negative change of global warming in Canada is that it leads to the destruction of valuable species of trees. This occurs when warmer climates lead to reduced snowfall causing frost to get deep into the ground hence damaging trees. This impact is associated with the reduced number of hardwood trees in Canada.

Although warmer climates to some extent may contribute towards growth of forests, the most important factor that determines the growth of trees is the fertility of the soils. Most of the forests affected by global warming in Canada are boreal forests which are crucial in provision of raw materials to industries that rely on timber.

Global warming increases the vulnerability of these forests to destruction by insects and forest fires that cause a sharp decline in the number of trees available for harvesting. This affects the industries that rely on timber such as the furniture and logging industries negatively.

In addition, producers of maple syrup are also affected negatively by global warming. The process of extracting the sap from trees requires temperatures below freezing point which are affected by global warming. This leads to sharp decline in Canada’s ability to continue supplying maple syrup (Johansen, 2009).

The third negative change that is caused by global warming in Canada is interference with the country’s fisheries. Global warming causes a threat to natural habitats of fish like salmon and sea scallop. In most countries, fisheries are important since they contribute significantly towards growth of the economy.

In Canada, an estimated income of $2 billion is earned every year through fisheries. This income is reduced by global warming causing a huge loss to the country. Warm waters are also associated with increased number of parasites which pose a threat to aquatic life.

In this sense, climate changes resulting from global warming have a negative impact on the growth of the economy in Canada (Curran, 2001).

The fourth negative change of global warming in Canada is that it causes deterioration of infrastructure. Development in the northern part of Canada is determined by good knowledge of the behavior of the permafrost prevalent in the ground mass in the region.

Researchers have suggested that increased global warming has a negative effect since a rise in temperature causes the frozen ground to melt (WWF, 2011). Although this is considered a negative change, my opinion is that it should not present a big challenge since alternatives that would improve infrastructure can be identified.

Judgment of Changes of global Warming Affecting Canada

Despite the negative effects associated with global warming, it is not entirely disastrous as it might seem. In Canada, it is evident that global warming is beneficial to both individuals and the country in terms of economic development. In addition, most of the negative changes that are associated with global warming can be solved.

The positive changes of global warming such as increased temperatures are beneficial to the country. For example, warm temperatures in Canada boost the tourism industry since many tourists visit the country when the weather is warmer. Tourism is one of the economic activities that earns the country a lot of money hence it is encouraged.

The other important change brought about by global warming is the fast growth of certain tree species. Timber oriented industries are common in Canada and their economic contribution cannot be ignored.

The growth of Boreal forests is encouraged by warmer temperatures which increase the rate of photosynthesis of the trees. Climatic changes resulting from global warming also lead to increased crop yields.

This is possible because warmer temperatures in Canada facilitate the conversion of large pieces of land into agriculturally productive land. The growing seasons are also lengthened as a result of global warming.

References

Curran, T. (2001). . Web.

Environment Canada. (2010). . Web.

Global greenhouse warming. (2011). . Web.

Johansen, B. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Global Warming Science and Technology. California: ABC-CLIO.

Kemp, D. (2004). Exploring environmental issues: an integrated approach. New York: Routledge.

Withgott, J., Brennan, S., & Murck, B. (2009). Environment: the science behind the stories. Toronto: Pearson Canada.

. (2011). Climate Change-Impact on Canada. Web.

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IvyPanda. 2019. "Global Warming in Canada." December 7, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/global-warming-in-canada/.

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