Climate+Change

=__How do heat islands affect local weather patterns?__ =

A **__heat island__** is an area where the air temperature is generally higher than the temperature of surrounding rural areas. Since heat is generated by infrastructure that makes a city run the roads and buildings absorb and retain heat longer than vegetation. Scientists are beginning to realize that heat islands can affect local weather patterns. As hot air rises over a city, the air cools and will eventually produce rain clouds. The major causes of climate change are:
 * [|CO2 and Other Greenhouse Gas Variations]
 * [|Human Activity and Greenhouse Gas]
 * [|Reducing Other Greenhouse Gas]
 * [|Ocean Circulation]
 * [|Volcanic Eruptions]
 * [|Solar Variations]
 * [|Orbital Variations]
 * [|Land Use Changes]

What are the effects of climate change?
 * Artic sea ice is melting
 * Glaicers and permafrost are melting
 * Sea-surface temperatures are warming - Warmer waters have contributed to the death of about a quarter of the worlds coral reefs in the last few decades. Many of the coral animals have died after weakened by bleaching (a process tied to warm waters).
 * Heavier rainfall causes flooding in many regions
 * Extreme drought is increasing - Higher temperatures cause a higher rate of evaporation and more droughts in some areas of the world.
 * Ecosystems are changing - As temeperatures warm, species may either move to a cooler habitat or die. It has also caused changes in the timing of spring events and the length of the growing season.
 * Hurricanes have changed in frequency and strength
 * More frequent heat waves
 * Warmer temperatures affect human health - there have been more deaths due to heat waves and more allergy attacks as the pollen season grows longer. There have also been some changes in the ranges of animals that carry disease like mosquitoes.
 * Seawater is becomming more acidic which could have a large impact on marine life