Research suggests global warming related to increased violence
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Published 06 August, 2013 09:00:00 | Living on Earth
Warmer temperatures mean more problems for people on Earth. Not only do warmer temperatures damage Earth's environment but new research has discovered that they may be related to increased violence in the areas most affected by the heat.
The effects of global warming are visible. The icecaps are melting and the sensitive equilibrium of Earth's ecosystems is being thrown out of balance.
But a recent study, published in the journal Science, found that humans are affected too, becoming more strongly disposed to aggression and violence as Earth's temperature rises.
A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, discovered the correlation after conducting a meta-study that delved into more than 60 existing studies exploring the connections between violence and abnormal high temperatures.
Taking into account the generally agreed upon estimate of two degrees Celsius of expected temperature rise over the next 50 years, the report revealed shocking expectations of increased violence.
"Just to give you a sense of what the magnitudes are, the estimated average effect of two degrees Celsius warming in tropical Africa on the risk of civil war in Africa would be something on the order of 40 to 50 percent increase in the risk of civil war," said Edward Miguel, co-author of the study and economics professor at the University of California, Berkley.
Also, women are at a higher risk of domestic violence in regions experiencing abnormal heat according to one of the studies looked at by Miguel and his team.
The study found violent activity increasing at consistent levels in various parts of the world, surprising many experts with its reliability. American cities, for example, would expect a five or six percent increase in violence in the event of such a temperature increase.
Recent and impending global warming give extra weight to the study's findings. People could be noticing these effects within their lifetimes.
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