Effects of Global Weather Change

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Global warming is leading to a wide variety of extreme climatic events around the world, while at the same time opening up new (and sometimes unexpected) opportunities for economic development. A south-western monsoon caused heavy rainfall in Manila and severe flooding in Manila and nearby provinces in early August. Also in the month of August, raging wildfires in California destroyed homes and forced thousands to be evacuated. The fire was started by a lightning, and its severity forced the Governor of California to declare a state of emergency in Northern California. In fact a report published in September stated that the high population density Los Angeles County was at highest risk, within California, from wildfires. The author of the report, Insurance Information Network of California, claimed that wildfires have caused more commercial losses for California than any other disaster since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Meanwhile in Ecuador, an eruption from the Tungurahua volcano led to the evacuation of 110 families in August. The eruption was classified as a moderate-to-strong event, and it spewed a column of vapor and ash up to 2.5 miles high. Also in August, a proposal was made for recognition of a new cloud variety that has been observed as an undulating blanket formation covering part or all of the sky.

The ice cover in Greenland is melting fast, severely affecting the livelihoods of its inhabitants. Shrimps are migrating from their traditional habitat to cooler waters, thus displacing many shrimp farmers and fishermen. Conversely, the receding glaciers are exposing vast deposits of minerals and gems, thus opening up possibilities of a mining industry in Greenland. It is even being speculated that profits from mining might even eventually help Greenland acquire sovereignty! But there is an active debate as to whether large scale mining should be allowed or not, the reason being its damaging...