Apparently, the effects of global warming on the environment are already pronounced enough that cartographers are having to redraw world atlases to match the actual terrain. The world is losing coastlines, ice sheets, rivers, and lakes.

Lake Chad in Africa has shrunk 95% in roughly the last 50 years. This used to be the sixth largest lake in the world and provided water to millions of people in Africa. This loss of water can cause a massive strain on an already stressed region. Check out the before and after pictures yourself (pictures are from LiveScience.com and are credited to Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World).

1973:


2003:


In addition to Lake Chad, water level in the Dead Sea is 82 ft lower than it was 50 years ago, the Rio Grande river runs dry in some areas, the Aral Sea has shrunk by 75%, and many coastlines in low-laying or island countries are vanishing. And don't forget about other more surprising results of Global Warming including the increase of allergens in the air. Finally, one of the biggest results is that Global Warming could delay or even prevent the next Ice Age. Ice Ages come and go every 100,000 years or so. Even if we stopped using fossil fuels today, the current amount of carbon in the air and the amount generated through the side effects of this carbon are enough that it could delay the next Ice Age. And if we burn more, we could affect the next 5 Ice Ages!

If these grim results aren't enough for you, take a look at the estimated timeline for Earth's climate over the next 100 years. There's some scary predictions in there, many of which could be realized in our lifetimes or those of our children.

Does it make you want to reconsider your outlook on how you affect the environment?