Global Warming

GLOBAL WARMING Attributed and expected effects

Some effects on both the natural environment and human life are already being attributed at least in part to global warming. Glacier retreat, ice shelf disruption such as the Larsen Ice Shelf, sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes and extreme weather events, are being attributed at least in part to global warming. While changes are expected for overall patterns, intensity, and frequencies, it is difficult or impossible to attribute specific events (such as Hurricane Katrina) to global warming.

Some anticipated effects include sea level rise of 110 to 770 mm by 2100, repercussions to agriculture, possible slowing of the thermohaline circulation, reductions in the ozone layer, increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes and extreme weather events, lowering of ocean pH, the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and mass extinction events.

The extent and probability of these consequences is a matter of considerable uncertainty. A summary of probable effects and recent understanding can be found in the report of the IPCC Working Group II.

INDEX

   Terminology
   History of warming
   Causes
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Solar variation
   Attributed and expected effects
   Mitigation
Kyoto Protocol
   Climate models
   Other related issues
Ocean acidification
Relationship to ozone depletion
Relationship to global dimming
Pre-human global warming
Pre-industrial global warming                References