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Effects of climate change


Effects on the oceans

Increased global temperatures will lead to rises in sea level due to the melting of the ice caps and thermal expansion of water.  This in itself will lead to coastal erosion and habitat loss in places such as marshes, dunes, mangroves swamps and coral reefs, and the salinisation (more salty) of estuaries, coastal rivers and soils.

Melting of the polar ice caps releases 1,000s of gallons of freshwater into the sea. This may disrupt the ocean currents, which are driven by differences in density and temperature of water. One such current known as the Atlantic Conveyor warms the UK. Without it we would have temperatures similar to Canada and possibly polar bears!

Acid seas

 

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ETHICAL ISSUES INVOLVED
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Protecting that which is held in common

The polar ice is home to many people as well as wildlife. It's disappearance would not only mean the end of the Inuit culture and the extinction of polar bears. The rising waters would wreck the way of life for millions of people around the world who live in coastal area.
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Current and future generations

Our actions and choices now regarding climate change will affect the lives of future generations for possibly centuries to follow. Do we have a duty to consider what will happen to those who follow on after us?