that will not be able to survive if deforestation occurs and the chemical components in the soil change (Gates170-173).Climate changes are affecting agriculture as well. Human beings are ever so dependent on agriculture as our main food supply. As our population increases the demand for food increases. Thus forests are cut down to make room for agriculture and cattle ranching (Read 244). More land is now cleared and turned into agricultural land, which is then overworked and abandoned, impoverishing more ecosystems. Open soil is left to erode away and land is overused for agriculture depleting the remaining soil of important nutrients (Gates 240 - 241). The use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation adds to the greenhouse gasses released into the environment making the situation even worse. Meanwhile, the climate is changing faster than crops can adapt to the new conditions (Gates 202-204). The new warmer climate will also present another problem for plants and animals alike. Warmer winter temperatures will allow insect pests to stay alive longer; increasing reproduction rates (Gates 232-234). These increased numbers of insects will be able to destroy more croplands causing a food shortage for our growing population and will also carry with them life threatening diseases across their increased habitats (Gates 234-238).The Economy If the world’s economy is to survive a major climate change, many aspects of life must change. In order for our economy to cope with the warming trend of the world we must slow it down as much as possible. This means making a transition from a fossil fuel energy based economy to a renewable energy based economy. No longer can we continue to waste our valuable natural resources. We must become an energy efficient society. By taking advantage of alternate sources of power like solar, hydroelectric, and wind power and changing the way we live, we can make a difference. This necessary tra...
