Global
Greenhouse
effect
by
Geoff
Anthony
The
global
effects
of
the
greenhouse
effect
cannot
be
directly
predicted
simply
because
we
do
not
have
enough
knowledge
in
the
subject.
However,
we
have
been
able
to
draw
direct
connections
between
certain
natural
phenomenon
that
supports
the
idea
that
something
is
changing.
Global
warming
has
great
effect
on
crops
and
weather
conditions
around
the
world.
The
northern
hemisphere
contains
more
land
area
than
the
southern
hemisphere,
and
conversely,
a
lower
percentage
of
the
world's
oceans.
Since
oceans
absorb
more
heat
than
land
areas,
it
is
not
surprising
that
most
climate
models
predict
faster
heating
over
the
northern
hemisphere
than
the
global
average.
In
addition,
models
predict
faster
temperature
increases
at
higher
latitudes.
If
global
warming
trends
continue,
high
temperatures
everywhere
in
the
US
may
reduce
US
agricultural
productivity.
Northern
continental
areas
are
projected
to
have
drier
summer
soils,
due
in
part
to
earlier
snow
melts
in
the
spring,
and
hotter,
more
cloudless
summers,
causing
extensive
evaporation
of
ground
moisture.
In
addition,
if
the
inland
areas
of
the
northern
hemisphere
are
expected
to
receive
less
moisture,
then,
lake
and
river
levels
will
be
lower.
Some
reports
predict
the
level
of
the
Great
Lakes
will
drop
between
2
and
8
feet.
When
many
people
think
of
global
warming,
their
first
concern
is
the
possible
rise
of
sea
levels.
With
a
large
number
of
the
world's
cities
in
coastal
areas,
this
is
a
significant
problem.
There
are
two
major
causes
of
rising
sea
levels.
First,
extra
water
is
produced
when
ice
melts.
Secondly,
the
natural
expansion
of
sea
water
as
it
becomes
warmer.
The
range
of
sea
ice
around
both
poles
continues
to
shrink,
as
it
melts.
Even
with
the
level
of
greenhouse
gases
present
today,
the
earth
may
warm
enough
in
the
next
50
years
or
so
to
completely
melt
the
sea
ice
located
on
the
poles.
Damage
from
rising
seas
is
very
diverse.
Buildings
and
roads
close
to
the
water
could
be
flooded
and
they
could
suffer
damage
from
hurricanes
and
tropical
storms.
"There
are
good
physical
reasons
to
suggest
that
more
intense
storms
(hurricanes)
could
result
from
global
warming."
Warmer
oceans
cause
more
intense
storms.
Experts
believe
that
global
warming
could
increase
the
intensity
of
hurricanes
by
over
50
percent.
Hurricane
Andrew's
devastation
in
1992
set
new
records.
According
to
the
National
Hurricane
Center
in
Miami,
the
1990
season
was
the
most
active
year
on
their
records
for
combined
Atlantic
and
Pacific
hurricanes.
Damage
caused
by
future
hurricanes
to
populated
areas
will
be
more
severe
since
higher
sea
levels
are
predicted
for
the
next
century.
In
addition,
as
the
sea
rises,
beach
erosion
takes
place,
particularly
on
steep
banks.
Wetlands
are
lost
as
sea
levels
rise.
Another
serious
problem
is
the
threat
of
salt
water
intruding
into
underground
fresh
water
reserves
in
coastal
areas.
College
of
New
Caledonia
-CNC
ion
4