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The average temperature of the Earth is around 14°C. As given in the earlier graph, this average temperature has increased by 0.8° C. However, the following are the effects of global warming.
Heat waves:
1. Increase in the heat holding capacity of the atmosphere increases the temperature especially during summers.
2. Summers can become more intense or even deadlier and could bring hot spells.
Heat islands:
1. Global warming serves as a base from which heat waves become much worse – especially in big cities where the heat island effect comes into play.
2. Urban areas heat up more readily because of paved surface and concrete constructions as compared to a field or forest areas.
Increase in sea level:
1. Due to increased melting of ice such as glaciers and ice sheets, there is a global rise in the sea level every year.
2. Higher sea levels may lead to deadlier cyclones and also frequent flooding of coastal areas.
3. Many islands are also at risk of getting submerged.
4. It may result in saline coastal groundwater endangered wetlands and flooding of cities and coastal communities. For example, Mumbai and parts of Konkan coastline.
5. It also means loss of habitat for fish, birds and plants.
6. As per the studies carried out by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, sea level may rise 9 to 90 cm between 1900 and 2100.
Melting of glaciers at high altitudes and snow in polar areas:
1. Melting of glaciers is a natural process, but when glaciers and iceberg melt at an alarming rate, it is a cause of concern.
2. Retreating of glaciers is considered as a symptom of global climate change. This means there is lesser ice formation each year than of melting.
3. Over the last 25 years, Gangotri glacier has retreated more than 850 meters, with a recession of 76 meters from 1996 to 1999.
Other factors:
1. Around the world the jellyfish seem to be reproducing heavily and congregating in places where they were never seen before.
2. This happens because of warmer waters and changes in the acidity level of the oceans.
3. Spread of insects in newer region apparently increases the number of mosquitoes.
4. Bleaching of the corals take place due to increase in the ocean temperatures. Coral bleaching leads to death of large numbers of corals.