Global warming is attributed to the rapid rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the earth’s atmosphere. The amount of carbon dioxide has increased 40 percent annually in the last few years and a great deal since the 1800s. The rising CO2 levels create a greenhouse effect that traps heat inside the atmosphere causing global temperatures to increase. While temperatures have increased, forecasts vary regarding how much they will in the future and what changes will occur. All forecasts agree changes will be significant.

Biodiversity is changing as a result of global warming with many species and plants being lost while other animals and plants move to different geographical zones. Loss of farmland resulting in loss of crops will cause more instances of famine and unstable geopolitical areas. Some nations will lose land to rising ocean water levels caused by melting icebergs. Other areas will experience droughts and lack of potable water. The two leading scientific organizations in the world, the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. and the Royal Society of the U.K., have emphasized the urgency of the global warming climate change problem, each group issuing detailed reports on the changes.

Global warming has altered weather patterns already with more, and longer, heat waves along with prolonged flooding, major tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. Worldwide, the death toll has increased from larger areas home to malaria-infected mosquitoes, pests, malnutrition and other effects of changing environments. Diseases once affecting tropical areas have moved to other areas as have animal migrations and habitats. Once unheard of in the U.S., Lyme disease, West Nile Virus and Hantavirus now strike. Polar bears and many other species are nearing extinction due to loss of ice pack and habitat. Devastating wildfires, rising sea levels sweeping away inhabited land and farmland represent future challenges.