The World in 2100

By Carolyn Rose

Everyone has their own idea of what the world will be like in the future. I decided to do some research and find out what facts people agree on. I compiled this short list of what the world (mainly the environment) will be like in 2100.

If you're interested in reading more about the future of environmental problems, the IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has some interesting projections. You can check out www.ipcc.ch for more.

• Mostly everyone agrees that humans are contributing to climate change, so it comes as no surprise that by the year 2100 there is expected to be an increase of around 2-12 degrees (F).

• The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase. As a result, the ocean will become more acidic. Sea animals and plants may die off because of the acid in their ecosystem.

• Glaciers will melt until they are completely gone, causing the sea level to rise at least a foot (could rise 2 feet or more). It has already increased about half that amount in the past hundred years, and the glaciers aren't even completely melted.

• 1/4 of all species of plants and animals could be extinct as a result of climate conditions, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and the acidity of the ocean.

• Heat waves and flash floods will become more frequent, AND more powerful.

• Ocean circulation is expected to slow 25% by the year 2100, bringing less heat to the polar regions of the Earth.

• The world population is expected to increase to 8 or 9 billion by the year 2100, but many think that this will be the peak of population increase.

The world looks pretty different in 2100 according to the IPCC. We can only hope that scientific advancements will proceed faster than that of ocean levels, so that we can stop all of the destruction before it occurs. On a smaller scale, keep recycling and living eco-friendly as much as you can. Every little bit counts.

(The IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was my source for a lot of the environmental projections. www.ipcc.ch)