2. Loss of Biodiversity

Species loss and endangerment is rising along with global temperatures. As many as 30 percent of plant and animal species alive today risk extinction by 2050 if average temperatures rise more than 2 to 11.5 degrees F (1.1 to 6.4 degrees C) [sources: EPA, Scientific American]. Such extinctions will be due to loss of habitat through desertification, deforestation and ocean warming, as well as the inability to adapt to climate warming. Wildlife researchers have noted some of the more resilient species migrating to the poles, far north and far south to maintain their needed habitat; the red fox, for example, normally an inhabitant of North America, is now seen living in the Arctic.

Humans also aren't immune to the threat. Desertification and rising sea levels threaten human habitats. And when plants and animals are lost to climate change, human food, fuel and income are lost as well.

The red fox has been affected by rising global temperatures.

1. Destruction of Ecosystems

Changing climatic conditions and dramatic increases in carbon dioxide will put our ecosystems to the test, threatening supplies of fresh water, clean air, fuel and energy resources, food, medicine and other matters we depend upon not just for our lifestyles but for our survival.

Evidence shows effects of climate change on physical and biological systems, which means no part of the world is spared from the impact of changes to land, water and life. Scientists are already observing the bleaching and death of coral reefs due to warming ocean waters, as well as the migration of vulnerable plants and animals to alternate geographic ranges due to rising air and water temperatures and melting ice sheets.

Models based on varied temperature increases predict scenarios of devastating floods, drought, wildfires, ocean acidification and eventual collapse of functioning ecosystems worldwide, terrestrial and aquatic alike.

Forecasts of famine, war and death paint a dire picture of climate change on our planet. Scientists are researching the causes of these changes the vulnerability of Earth not to predict the end of days but rather to help us mitigate or reduce changes that may be caused by humans. If we know and understand the problems and take action through adaptation, the use of more energy-efficient and sustainable resources and the adoption of other green ways of living, we may be able to make some impact on the climate change process.

Coral bleaching is only a tangible aspect of global warming's effect on ecosystems.

IV. Questions for discussion:

1. What does the term “global warming” mean?

2. Computer modelling allows scientists to predict what could happen if the climate pattern continues on its current course, doesn’t it?

3. How are hotter temperatures linked to rising waters?

4. How does melt water from Greenland's ice cap impacts people in the United States?

5. Glaciers around the world are shrinking, aren’t they?

6. How did shrinking of glaciers affect Tundra?

7. Are extreme heat waves happening two to four times more often now?

8. What may continued heat waves mean, as experts suggest?

9. Can heat waves be deadly as well?

10. Are severe storms happening more frequently now?

11. Do warm waters give hurricanes their strength?

12. When did the worst flooding in 60 years hit Britain?

13. What does an increase in drought conditions lead to?

14. Which countries already experience droughts today?

15. How can warmer temperatures along with associated floods and droughts encourage worldwide health threats?

16. Does the World Health Organization (WHO) report that outbreaks of new or resurgent diseases are on the rise?

17. What may declining amounts of quality food, water and land be leading to?

18. How are violence and ecological crises entangled?

19. Is species loss and endangerment rising along with global temperatures?

20. How many plant and animal species alive today risk extinction by 2050?

21. What have wildlife researchers noted?

22. Humans also aren't immune to the threat, are they?

23. What kind of test will changing climatic conditions and dramatic increases in carbon dioxide put our ecosystems to?

24. Is any part of the world spared from the impact of changes to land, water and life?

25. What scenarios do models based on varied temperature increases predict to our planet?

26. What impact may we be able to make on the climate change process?