There are many proposed environmental consequences associated with an enhanced greenhouse effect, including:
- Disease spread – More temperate climates will increase the prevalence and spread of pathogenic vectors (e.g. mosquitos)
- Ice caps melting – Higher temperatures are melting ice caps and reducing permafrosts, releasing detritus trapped in ice
- Extreme weather conditions – Climate change is linked to an increase in extreme weather (e.g. cyclones, tropical storms)
- Extinction – Changing climate will increase competition, leading to a loss of biodiversity and extinction events
- Acidification of oceans – Rising atmospheric CO2 levels contribute to an increase in the acidification of oceans
- Rising sea levels – Global warming is associated with rising sea levels, leading to the displacement of communities
- Temperature increases – Greenhouse gas emissions are linked to an increase in average global temperatures
- Habitat destruction – Changing climate conditions will lead to the destruction of habitats and expansion of temperate species
Mnemonic: Die Earth!
