The phenomenon of global warming is a hot debate topic today. Nevertheless, there exist substantial and compelling evidences that show that the mean temperature of the earth has risen considerably over a few decades. There are several impacts of the rising temperatures but the challenge facing biodiversity is one of the major ones since several life forms stand the chance of becoming extinct.Global warming and biodiversity challengesThe International panel on Climate change has reported that every minute change in the regional temperature affects the natural systems considerably. In fact the relation between the rising temperatures and the adverse impacts on biodiversity is directly proportional to one another. The natural systems of the world are negatively affected either directly by the change in temperatures or indirectly by changes in sea level, melting of glaciers, alterations in forest patterns, changes in pH of oceans, climate change etc.One of the foremost impacts of the climate change has started to occur in the Arctic and the Antarctic regions since their high altitudes play a major factor in the rate of warming of these regions. Rapid melting of ice has aid the prospects of ice-free summers which can potentially eradicate an entire biome from the region. The biodiversity for these regions ranging from algae to the polar bears are accustomed to living on ice and the elevating temperatures pose as grave threat to their existence.The global climate change has also affected the marine system of the world. This has primarily occurred owing to the acidification of the ocean waters. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also leads to enhanced dissolving of the gas into the ocean waters which increases the acidity of the waters and affects both plant and animal life. Ocean acidification leads to coral bleaching and dissolution of shells and skeletons of marine organisms.What we can doIt is an undeniable fact that global warming has been accelerated by anthropogenic activities and it is up to us to control the damage. Conservation of animals is not the only option since we need to work at the very roots of the problem.One of the most important steps at the individual level is to decrease the carbon footprint. This can be done by altering our habits of energy usage, decreasing waste and recycling. At the societal level we need to enhance green technologies, reduce emissions and adopt sustainable energy sources such as wind, hydro etc. Deforestation must be limited and proper land management is to be implemented. Every step that we take will take us closer to a better environment and will help reduce the damage we have already afflicted.
Caring for the Earth and Its Inhabitants