What is happening to our Quality of Life?

During the twentieth century, the temperature has risen by 0.5-1 F, the sea level by 4-10 inches, and the rainfall by 1% globally. The rate of temperature change is now faster than it has ever been over the last 10,000 years. There is now a growing body of evidence that our use of carbon-rich fuel is responsible for global warming through the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities is carbon dioxide (CO2), the second most important being methane. The largest source of CO2 (81% in 1997) and of overall greenhouse gases in the US is fossil fuel combustion.

Other pollutants emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Carbon monoxide is toxic to human beings. Nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by all internal combustion engines, are the key ingredient in the formation of smog, which is detrimental to human health by causing lung damage and eye irritation. Volatile hydrocarbons contribute to ozone formation and thus to smog. Particulate matter may cause lung damage. In North America, cars account for nearly half the oil consumed, and about half the urban pollution and one fourth the greenhouse gases.

The atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases is 30% higher than it was at the beginning of the industrial revolution. If this trend continues, the greenhouse gases concentrations will reach twice today’s level by 2100. As a consequence, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects, over the next century, a temperature increase of 1 to 3.5 C and a sea level rise of 15 to 95 cm, as well as a likely increase in precipitation intensity.
Natural ecosystems and our socioeconomic systems are both sensitive to the magnitude and rate of climate change. These expected changes may have potentially disruptive effects on our economy and our quality of life such as:

	Increased health problems due to heat and disease;
	Food security may be threatened in some places;
	Water resources will be stressed in certain regions;
	Human habitat reduction in regions vulnerable to sea level rise;
	Degradation of natural ecosystems will likely result in reduction of biodiversity.

Changes in temperature, precipitation, moisture, and sea-level will add important stresses on ecological and socioeconomic systems, which are already affected by pollution, non-sustainable practices and increasing resource extraction. Reduction in biodiversity will impact the goods and services ecosystems provide to society such as pharmaceuticals and parks.