Six reasons why you need to start paying attention to global warming

There is no doubt that the weather in Singapore is getting warmer and warmer. And as it continues to get hotter, the consequences of global warming are getting increasingly undeniable.

Here is a list of six ways that global warming is affecting us.

As the climate becomes warmer, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever will likely increase as well. Mosquitos reproduce faster in warm and humid conditions and the consequences of them increasing rapidly are fatal. Bzzzz..

Global warming can change the climate very dramatically. And if Earth continues getting warmer, certain animals or plants that are not able to adapt may become extinct in the near future. An example would be Polar Bears – the rise in temperature means that the Arctic ice is rapidly melting and food for the Polar Bears is disappearing fast.

For Singapore, an island that is low-lying and surrounded by water, rising sea levels pose a real threat. Flooding can lead to a loss of habitats for not only animals but plants as well. Closer to home, this means more frequent flash floods, similar to the ones at Orchard Road in 2011.

Singapore is an urban area; this means that it is extremely vulnerable to the urban heat island effect. In Singapore, most of the island’s natural greenery has been replaced by buildings and concrete which retain heat (which is what causes the urban heat island effect).

Not only can climate change lead to extreme weather, it can also cause crops to be destroyed. In Singapore, where a majority of our food supply such as fruits, meat and seafood are imported, we are extremely vulnerable to food shortages.

While it may seem impossible, every effort that we make to reduce the effects of global warming is worthwhile, such as doing things like turning off the lights when not in use and using our own water bottles and Tupperware instead of disposables.

We are only able to help if we do our part and take responsibility for our actions.