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Introduction:

Global warming and climate change is ongoing. During the last century the global temperature has risen 0.75 degrees Celsius, due to increased levels of green house gases trapped in the atmosphere. The most important of the gases is CO2 (carbon dioxide). The increase is a result of burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and it is aggravated by ongoing deforestation. Global warming and climate change as a process cannot be stopped now, but we do not yet know how fast the temperatures will rise.

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The consequences of global warming and climate change are already visible.

The ice is melting on Greenland and Antarctica, causing ocean levels to rise some millimeters each year. As a consequence small, low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean are now being encroached by water. The islands will eventually become covered with water and all people living there will be turned into refugees. Some islanders have already been evacuated to New Zeeland. As ocean waters continue to rise, many more low-lying coastlines will come under water, including parts of big cities such as Maputo, New York and Shanghai.

We see more frequent and violent hurricanes, many hitting the islands and coastlines of the Caribbean, causing damage and death in their violent paths. As the ocean water is warming up, more hurricanes will form over the warm waters, and they will increase in force.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Predictions say that the northern as well as the southern hemispheres will become warmer. For big parts of the northern hemispheres winters are very cold, especially in inland-climate areas, and summers are short and warm. Short-term consequences will be longer growing seasons for various crops, and fruits that used to grow further south are now moving north.

The rising temperatures in the southern hemispheres are predicted to have more serious consequences for people living here. Water will evaporate faster from the surface, making it more difficult to grow crops craving much water. Weather patterns will become more unpredictable and more violent. Water will come flooding along rivers from mountain areas during rainy seasons, whereas dry seasons will become even drier. Many poor live in areas prone to drought or at risk of flooding. They will be hard hit when there is too much or too little of the precious liquid water.

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Much can be done to adapt to global warming and climate change.

Farming methods can be adapted so land and water is better utilized. Soil quality can be improved through local compost systems. Irrigation systems can be improved. New crops craving less water can be planted. Methods can be developed for how to hold on to the water, such as rain water harvesting and construction of reservoirs. Trees can be planted to prevent ground water levels from sinking, and to keep moisture in the soil and in the air.

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