2. Backward Forward Home Exit III. How will global warming affect our environment? 1. What kinds of climatic change will global warming bring about? According to predictions, regions in the high latitudes would suffer a greater increase in temperature than those near the equator a. Temperature

3. Backward Forward Home Exit Continental landmasses are likely to experience a greater temperature increase than the oceans

4. Backward Forward Home Exit Heat waves would come more often and last longer August, 2003 more than 11 000 people died in France’s heat wave temperatures rose to 40°C

5. Backward Forward Home Exit b. Precipitation Higher temperatures would result in significantly more water vapour in the air, and increase the world’s precipitation by about 8%

6. Backward Forward Home Exit higher latitude regionsMore likely for higher latitude regions to have wetter conditions tropicsAreas near the tropics would be likely to have less rainfall

7. Backward Forward Home Exit There are also predictions of more extreme weather conditions if global warming continues c. Extreme weather Tornado Typhoon Cold spell Heat wave Drought Heavy storm

8. Backward Forward Home Exit TyphoonTyphoon Click the Screen to Start

9. Backward Forward Home Exit 2. What is the relationship between global warming and rising sea levels? Sea levels will rise with global warming because of thermal expansion and melting of glacial and polar ice

10. Backward Forward Home Exit Actually, sea levels are already rising at a rate of 2.5 (±0.9) mm per yearActually, sea levels are already rising at a rate of 2.5 (±0.9) mm per year Predictions also indicate that there is a 50% chance of a sea-level rise rate of 3.4 cm or more per year by 2010Predictions also indicate that there is a 50% chance of a sea-level rise rate of 3.4 cm or more per year by 2010

11. Backward Forward Home Exit Climatic changes induced by global warming would lead to changes in the hydrological environmentClimatic changes induced by global warming would lead to changes in the hydrological environment Flooding and droughts would be more frequent due to changes in precipitation patternsFlooding and droughts would be more frequent due to changes in precipitation patterns 3. How will global warming affect the water cycle?

12. Backward Forward Home Exit Increased melting of ice and snow would affect river flows, lake levels and groundwater storage, as well as soil moisture

13. Backward Forward Home Exit 4. What are the ecological impacts of global warming? distribution and abundance of plant and animal speciesGlobal warming would change the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species extinctionTo an extreme, it might increase risks of species extinction

14. Backward Forward Home Exit Polar bears in some arctic regions are having fewer cubs (babies), possibly as a result of earlier spring ice breakupPolar bears in some arctic regions are having fewer cubs (babies), possibly as a result of earlier spring ice breakup Sea ice is now melting earlier in spring and forming later in autumnSea ice is now melting earlier in spring and forming later in autumn

15. Backward Forward Home Exit The time each year that polar bears can hunt for food is thus shortened