1. Most scientists believe that the warming of the climate will lead to more extreme weather patterns such as: More hurricanes and drought, in the U.S. In 2004 many lives were lost as and huge damage resulted from successive hurricanes Longer spells of dry heat or intense rain (depending on where you are in the world) Scientists have pointed out that Northern Europe could be severely affected with colder weather if climate change continues, as the arctic begins to melt and send fresher waters further south. It would effectively cut off the Gulf Stream that brings warmth from the Gulf of Mexico, keeping countries such as Britain warmer

2. Contemporary global issues – global warming

3. Contemporary global issues – Global warming Agriculture and livelihoods are already being affected Failing agriculture in the future have long been predicted. Looking to 2100, scientists who looked at projections of global warming’s impact on the average temperatures during the growing season fear that rising temperatures will have a significant impact upon crop yields, most noticeably in the tropics and sub tropics. While warm weather can often be good for some crops, hotter than average temperatures for the entire season is often not good for plants. This would affect at least half the world’s population that either live in the region or rely on food coming from that region. It has been known for some time know that developing countries will be affected the most. Reasons vary from lacking resources to cope, compared to developed nations.

4. Contemporary Global Issues – Financial crisis A crisis so severe, the world financial system has been affected The total amounts that governments have spent on bailouts has increased significantly, from a world credit loss of $2.8 trillion in October 2009, US taxpayers alone will spend some $9.7 trillion in bailout packages and plans. $14.5 trillion, or 33%, of the value of the world’s companies has been wiped out by this crisis. The UK and other European countries have also spent some $2 trillion on rescues and bailout packages (more is expected). With a globalized system, a credit crunch can ripple through the entire economy very quickly turning a global financial crisis into a global economic crisis. Stories of strikes and protests are increasingly commonplace, and if the experience of developing nations are anything to go by in previous decades, similar protests are likely in the future in industrialised nations

5. Contemporary Global Issues – Financial crisis

6. Contemporary Global Issues – organisations As the world starts to globalize, it is accompanied by criticism of the current forms of globalization, which are feared to be overly corporate-led. As corporations become larger and multinational, their influence and interests go further accordingly Corporations are a major influences on our lives. For example, of the 100 largest economies in the world, 51 are corporations while only 49 are countries. In this era of globalization, marginalized people are becoming especially angry at the motives of multinational corporations, and corporate-led globalization is being met with increasing protest and resistance Large transnational corporations are becoming increasingly powerful. As profits are naturally the most important goal, damaging results can arise, such as violation of human rights, lobbying for and participating in manipulated international agreements, environmental damage, child labour, driving towards cheaper and cheaper labour. Multinational corporations claim that their involvement in foreign countries is actually a constructive engagement as it can promote human rights in non- democratic nations. However, it seems that that is more of a convenient excuse to continue exploitative practices

7. Contemporary Global Issues – organisations Industries such as the energy and fossil fuels industry can leave many environmental problems in their wake. International lending schemes maybe tied with reforms that include cutting back on regulatory and safety measures such as health, education and the environment, problems can arise without many resources available to deal with them. While large corporations are able to profit, the costs from environmental and other damage has to be borne by the local population For many companies, the largest cost is often the work force. Hence, where profits are the bottom line, it is only natural for companies to seek out the cheapest labour possible. When a nation tries to provide regulatory steps to improve workers conditions multinational corporations may relocate to other places where there are less measures in place. In this way, improving working conditions will always be difficult, as it is not in the interest of the large companies.