ABSTRACT
Certain gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are accumulating in the upper atmosphere at a faster rate than ever before. Proponents of the theory of global warming warn that this mixture is creating a layer that traps the earth’s radiated heat, which will cause global temperatures to rise significantly. It is argued that this could lead to a rise in sea levels, higher tides and extraordinary storm surges; and the impact of these changes would mean salination of drinking water supplies, disruption of food crop and plant habitats, the expansion of deserts and the inundation of entire islands. Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh, the Netherlands, the Maldives and many small Pacific island states are especially vulnerable. Most of the world’s major cities, including many capitals, are coastal and even a slight rise in sea-level would bring some threat of flooding. At a more extreme level, large-scale changes to weather and agricultural patterns would wreak havoc with local livelihoods and national economies.
