e greatly effected. Coral reefs which are very temperature sensitive would be devastated. Approximately a two foot increase in sea level which is not due to polar ice cap melting but rather because water expands when heated. One-third the worlds population lives in coastal areas, causing the flooding of many coastal cites. Flooding would cause the disruption of rice production and salt water contamination of aquifers adding to the agricultural problem. Also an influx of tropical disease such as fungal infections and insect carried disease normally found in rainforests would make its way into the United States.The atmosphere and climate system is very complex. It is very hard to know the threshold level of positive feedback systems, which are stimulated due to changing atmospheric conditions. Some scientists argue climate change is a naturally occurring process because records indicate it has happened many times before. Co2 production can not be stopped. The world would have to cut 70% of its emissions in order to stop the increase. In order to slow the increase, the efficient use of fossil fuels must be adapted. Natural gas gives off very little co2 and methane if burned properly. Deforestation must also be stopped in order to give natural co2 scrubbers, plants, a chance to aid in the process. Governmental programs have also been implemented. A carbon tax has been considered along with the passing of the 1990 Clean Air Act, aimed at lowering emissions and cleaning air pollution. On a world wide scale, the Kyoto Accord in 1997, in which 159 nations agreed to work together to decrease Co2 emissions by 5.5% by 2012. The United States agreed, since it accounts for 25% of the worlds total emissions by 1990 figures, to cut its emissions by 7%.Global warming is still a major issue in world and U.S. politics. Conservatives argue for more market-orientated solutions, resulting in the imposition of taxes, resulting in higher pric...
