How does climate change make people more likely to develop cancer? Global warming, or the increase in average global temperature, is a form of climate change that has caused glaciers to melt, acid rain to form and sea levels to rise, killing both vegetation and animals. What you probably don't know is that climate change is killing humans too. “Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world and caused 7.6 million deaths in 2008,” which is equivalent to the population of Bulgaria. Global warming will also increase exposure to toxic chemicals, and heavy rains will wash toxins into the water. The chance of developing cancer increases due to increased exposure to ultraviolet rays due to deterioration of the ozone layer. What is climate change and how does it happen? Climate change occurs when long-term weather patterns are altered through human activity (such as industrial pollution and automobile exhaust). “Life on Earth is possible thanks to the heat of the sun.” Most of the solar radiation bounces back into space; however, a small percentage becomes trapped by the gases that create the Earth's atmosphere, also known as the ozone layer. The ozone layer is the protective layer that surrounds the Earth and blocks most of the sun's ultraviolet rays (radiation that is part of the electromagnetic spectrum) due to the molecular size of the ozone molecule. Blocks UV-C (100-280 nanometers) and UV-B (280-315 nm) rays; however it does not block UV-A rays (315-400 nm). According to the Center for Global Environmental Research at the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan, UV-A rays are the leading cause of cancer (melanoma), while UV-B rays are the cause of sunburn. The ozone layer... in the center of the document... p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phototossicity>."Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). " Hydrology program of toxic substances. US Geological Survey, 10 August 2010. Web. May 2011. .Welch, Charles. "Consequences of the ozone hole". The ozone hole. The Ozone Hole Inc. website. May 2011. .Welch, Charles. "UV rays." The ozone hole. The Ozone Hole Inc. website. May 2011. "What is cancer?" Speaking of cancer. Canadian Cancer Society, November 1, 2010. Web. May 2011. “What is Climate Change?” David Suzuki Foundation. Network. May 2011. .