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ENVIRONMENT REPORT - May 10, 2002: Effects of Global
Warming
By Cynthia Kirk
This is the VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT
REPORT.
Scientists say the warming of the Earth's atmosphere
has begun to affect plant and animal life around the world. Scientists
from the University of Hanover in Germany reported their findings in
the publication Nature. They say global warming is affecting endangered
species, sea life and the change in seasonal activities of organisms.
Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases
in the atmosphere.
Studies show that the Earth's climate has warmed by about six-tenths
of one degree Celsius during the past one-hundred years. Most of the
increase has taken place in the last thirty years.
The German scientists studied different animal
and plant populations around the world in the past thirty years. They
say some species will disappear because they can not move to new areas
when their home climate gets too warm.
The scientists say one of the biggest signs
of climate change has been the worldwide reduction in coral reefs. Rising
temperatures in the world's warm ocean waters have caused coral to lose
color and die.
In the coldest areas of the world, winter freezing
periods are now happening later and ending earlier. Researchers say
these changes are having severe effects on animals such as penguins,
seals and polar bears.
Changes in temperature and wetness in the air
can also affect the reproduction of some reptiles and amphibians. For
example, the sex of baby painted turtles is linked to the average temperature
in July. Scientists say even small temperature increases can threaten
the production of male turtles.
In Europe, scientists say warmer temperatures
are affecting the spring and autumn seasons. This is affecting the growth
of plants and delaying the flight of birds from one place to another.
Scientists are concerned about invasions of
warm weather species into traditionally colder areas. Rising temperatures
have been linked with diseases spread by mosquito insects in areas of
Asia, East Africa and Latin America.
Britain's Meteorological Office says worldwide
temperatures will continue to rise during the next one-hundred years.
It says how much temperatures increase will depend on the success of
worldwide policies designed to slow global warming.
This VOA Special English ENVIRONMENT REPORT
was written by Cynthia Kirk.
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