Question

Which of the following are consequences of global warming? Check all that apply.

increased seawater salinity

increased melting ice

increased sea level

decreased ocean water temperature

increased number of species

increased heat-related deaths

decreased growing season

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- increased melting ice — yes. Warming causes glaciers, ice sheets and sea ice to melt.
- increased sea level — yes. Melting land ice and thermal expansion of warming ocean water raise sea level.
- increased heat-related deaths — yes. More frequent/intense heat waves increase heat illness and mortality.

Not correct (or not generally true):
- increased seawater salinity — not generally. Some regions may become saltier (more evaporation) while others become fresher from ice melt and increased runoff; there is no uniform global increase.
- decreased ocean water temperature — no. Global warming causes overall ocean warming (though some local or deep-ocean changes can be complex).
- increased number of species — no. Climate change tends to cause range shifts and extinctions; net biodiversity loss is expected.
- decreased growing season — not generally. Growing seasons are lengthening in many higher-latitude regions (though crop yields can decline in some places because of heat, drought, and other stresses).