"� some extreme events are projected to increase in frequency and/or severity during the 21st century due to changes in the mean and/or variability of climate, so it can be expected that the severity of their impacts will also increase in concert with global warming. Conversely, the frequency and magnitude of extreme low temperature events, such as cold spells, is projected to decrease in the future, with both positive and negative impacts. The impacts of future changes in climate extremes are expected to fall disproportionately on the poor."
The rising temperatures that the world is witnessing are not only affecting the climate, but they are also affecting weather patterns. In the fall and winter of 2000, Britain saw �some of the heaviest rainfall and worst flooding ever recorded,� receiving more than three times the normal average of rainfall. This statistic greatly surpasses any previously observed natural variability. (High Tide by Mark Lynas.) Moreover, the average annual rainfall in the U.S. has increased 5-10%, mostly due to heavy downpours. (National Assessment report.) These heavy downpours are a result of the warmer air the world is experiencing � warmer air can hold more water vapor, meaning it can rain harder and longer than ever before.
While some areas of the globe are getting wetter, other areas are getting drier. �In 2002, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon endured their worst wildfire seasons ever. The same year, drought created severe dust storms in Montana, Colorado and Kansas�� (Natural Resources Defense Council.) As discussed in the climate page, global warming is also stoking wildfires in the rainforest, by increasing the frequency and intensity of El Ni�o conditions. These conditions bring droughts to the moist rainforest, turning the forests to tinder. (Julian Cribb, �Reign of Fire.�) Furthermore, �most scientists agree that the subtropical areas, such as south-western America, will get hotter and drier.� [�Alaska, ho! Global Warming. (Climate Change in America)� from The Economist.]
-Increased heat stress in livestock and wildlife
-Shifts in tourism
-Increased risk of damage to some crops
-Increased cooling demand
-Decreased risk of damage to some crops and increased risk to others
-Increased range of some pests and diseases
-Reduced heating demand
-Increased soil erosion
-Increased flood runoff could recharge some floodplains
-Increased risk of forest fire
-Increased coastal erosion and damage to coastal buildings and infrastructure
-Increased damage to coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves