The Potential Effects of Global Warming

Question 1

the effects of melting of polar ice caps?

Answer 1

if ice shelves over land melt, such as over Greenland and Antartica, this will lead to sea level rises, causing flooding in costal regions worldwide

Question 2

the effects of destruction of habitats

Answer 2

for example, grassland may turn to desert (desertification), leading to the loss of habitat for resident species - this could lead to the extinction of species

Question 3

the effects of drought and desertification?

Answer 3

this can lead to crop failure and therefore to food shortages and famines

Question 4

the effects of increased extreme weather events

Answer 4

extreme weather event such as hurricanes could become more frequent as there is more energy present in weather systems due to global warming

Question 5

the effects of the spread of disease

Answer 5

as the planet warms it will be possible for disease carrying organisms, such as mosquito’s, to survive in a wider range of countries - this means diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are likely to become more common

Question 6

the effects of a change in crops

Answer 6

as areas warm it will become possible to grow different crops (e.g. olives and grapes in Southern England) - this will be beneficial to some countries

Question 7

the effects of increase in heat related illness and deaths

Answer 7

in recent years there have been increases in death rates in the elderly associated with heat waves - this may become more common