Global Warming.

Developments of climate change have grown to be a predominant concern to twenty-first century scientists, impacting various environments and the health of millions of people worldwide.   Climate change, or more specifically global warming, is depicted by the constant rise in temperatures of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.  The rise in the average temperatures has been attributed to high levels of greenhouse gases, most likely due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.   Global warming projections based upon varying levels of greenhouse gases estimate that global surface temperatures will continue to increase an additional 1.1-6.4° C over the next century.  Assuming these projections to be true, several consequences may include:

• A rise in sea levels
• A change in the amount and pattern of precipitation
• The continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice
• Extreme weather events
• Ocean acidification
• Species extinction
• A decrease in the amounts of crops
• Loss of habitat