Unit 9.4: Increases in the Greenhouse Gases

Thermal Expansion

water molecules move slightly further apart when they’re heated (sea level rise)

Melting Ice Sheets and Glacial Ice

Increased GHGs lead to a warmer climate and more melting of continental ice sheets and glaciers (sea level rise)

Environmental Impacts of Sea Level Rise

flooding of coastal ecosystems like estuaries

Human Impacts of Sea Level Rise

relocation of coastal human populations

Disease Vectors

living organisms that can transmit diseases from human to human or animal to human

Expanded Range of Disease Vectors

Warmer temperatures allow insect transmitted diseases to spread to parts of the world previously too cold