Effects of Global warming on Sea Otter Essay

The effects of global warming are with us, different parts of the world are experiencing catastrophic phenomenon which are directly attributed to the rise in global temperatures. Global warming basically refers to the increase in temperatures on the earth surface over a period of time. It has been established that the global temperatures has risen by almost two degrees centigrade for the last one century. This condition has been attributed to the increase in the green house gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This is directly as a result of human activity which has resulted in the increased emission of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Human activities are largely to blame for the condition that is threatening to change the weather and climatic patterns. This condition if it goes unchecked for some years to come the whole world populations may be wiped out. The effects of this phenomenon are so serious that the lives of all the creatures on earth are at great risk. Global warming has been responsible for the climate and weather changes being experienced in different parts of the world. Temperatures have risen to high levels which have never been witnessed before. Ice is melting leading to rise of sea levels this is causing and will continue to cause displacement to people and animals that live near the sea shores. Cities which have for long time enjoyed closeness to the sea are being submerged. It has been pointed out that in some years to come entire cities along the coastlines may be submerged. This will lead to serious loss of lives, both for people and animals. Properties worth billions will be destroyed as the nature takes its course perhaps as a reaction from the selfish lifestyles of the human beings. The changing patterns of climatic conditions are causing deep problems as some animals species are finding it hard to survive in areas where they have lived for ages . Animals which have largely depended on these conditions for survival have their populations being reduced in a great margin. In all parts of the world extreme weather conditions are being experienced. In some cases temperatures are rising to levels which have never been recorded before whereas some regions in Europe are experiencing extremely cold seasons which are forcing some of the sea animals to migrate to other areas in search for food and better places to live. The mass migration of animal species is impacting negatively on the lives of the humans and other animals. As they move they may lead to more destruction of the environment, this means that the problem that has brought us to this end will be with us for a long time. The changing weather patterns will lead to so many changes in the world; this will include the eating habits of the animals. This has already happened in some parts of the world as some animals are turning to non traditional sources of their food as a mechanism to survive the harsh conditions which are directly related to the global warming. The size of the Artic region is expected to decrease with the possibility of the ocean being free of the summer ice in a period of less than fifty years. The response of the Artic region to this climatic catastrophe has been worrying the scientist as it poses even more serious dangers to the world than what we are experiencing at the moment. There is a possibility of more green house gases being released in to the atmosphere as a result of thawing process of methane and other harmful elements. Releasing of these gases into the air will hasten the global warming leading to more serious problems. The effects of global warming are far reaching; they are affecting every aspect of our lives. Sea otter have not been spared either by this phenomenon which is threatening to wipe out the entire population if these marine mammals in Europe. According to Kruuk Hans the population of the sea otters in Europe has been on a sharp decline due to various reasons where one of the most cited has been global warming exposing these creatures to predators and conditions which are no favorable. (Kruuk H 2006 229) Extreme low temperatures in some parts of Europe have lead to mass migration of sea otters to areas where they are being an easy prone to the predators. As they move around searching for food they are exposing themselves to the wolves’ whales and humans who are hunting them for economic use. Although this has been happening even before, the changing climatic conditions as a result of global warming has greatly contributed to the change in patterns in the lives of these marine creatures which have been known to inhibit cold sea regions. (Pine, S 1993 78) Global warming has led to the increase in diseases some of which were not common in some parts of Europe. These diseases are spreading far and wide in this region causing panic among the populations. This is threatening the lives of people and animals too. Some diseases which were only common in tropical and temperate areas have now found their way into the coldest regions of Europe. Some diseases causing organism have found conducive conditions in areas which in less than half a century could have been described as diseases free zones. Ocean warming and the fall of the Artic ocean ice levels which is a direct effect of globalization have been pointed out as the main cause of the spread of a virus which is causing the death of sea otters. Phocine distemper virus has been identified as the cause of many deaths among these marine creatures in some parts of Europe and America. Scientists have pointed out that sea otters are dying as a result of a syndrome which they were referring to as step syndrome. This is a clear indication of how global warming will affect the lives of all creatures in the earth. It will not spare the innocent animals which largely depend on cool atmosphere for their survival. Global warming if not checked threatens to wipe out entire population of some species. Sea otters population has been on sharp decline due to the threats by human who consider it valuable economically. (Silverstone, V and Silverstone, A 1995) Predators such as whales are now prowling on this tiny sea creature as their traditional sources of food are dwindling due to climatic changes. Global warming is a real threat; lives of many animals are at risk due to this phenomenon. The major forests in the world are shrinking, deserts are expanding and agricultural yields are at the lowest points ever. Immediate actions need to be taken to ensure that this condition is reversed; such efforts will guarantee the lives of animals which are facing extinction and at the same time guarantee human beings a bright future. This can only be done if the governments in different parts of the world especially in Europe and America take action on carbon emission in their countries. Efforts to reduce human activities which lead to emission of green house gases will save the world and its inhabitants. This will go along way in checking the amount of carbon being released in to the atmosphere ultimately checking global warming. Such efforts will ensure that the lives of all animals including the sea otters are safeguarded. Work Cited Pine, S The World of Sea Otter, Vancouver, Greystone Publishers (1993) Silverstone, V and Silverstone, A Sea Otter, Brokefield, Millbrook Press (1995) Kruuk, H Sea Otter, Oxford University Press (2006)