Global Warming in the Future
Scientists project that global warming will continue at a rate unprecedented in Earth's history, forecasting even greater warming throughout the 21st century depending on future greenhouse gas emissions. In a high-emissions scenario, where emissions continue to increase significantly over the century, scientists project a temperature rise of 2.4 to 6.4 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. Conversely, under a low-emissions scenario, where emissions grow slowly, peak around 2050, and then decline, scientists project a warming of 1.1 to 2.9°C by 2100.
The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, combined with thermal expansion of warming oceans, will increase ocean volume and drive sea level rise. This will lead to widespread flooding of coastal areas and entire low-lying island nations. Precipitation patterns are expected to shift, bringing increased rainfall to higher latitudes (closer to the poles) and reduced rainfall to subtropical regions such as the Mediterranean and southern Africa. These changes in temperature and rainfall could severely impact crop yields and disrupt global food production. Many plant and animal species will migrate toward the poles or higher elevations in search of cooler habitats; species unable to adapt or relocate face extinction. Higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are also increasing ocean acidification, threatening marine ecosystems worldwide.
Global Warming Predictions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that even if atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations stabilize, global temperatures will continue to rise for a prolonged period due to past emissions, producing impacts far more pronounced than those observed during the 20th century. If greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, experts predict severe and far-reaching climate consequences.