Scientific discussions of climate change often center on numbers: average temperature increases or decreases to be expected, alterations in rainfall amounts, adjustments to the growing season, and the like. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that we are ultimately interested in climate change b... Show moreScientific discussions of climate change often center on numbers: average temperature increases or decreases to be expected, alterations in rainfall amounts, adjustments to the growing season, and the like. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that we are ultimately interested in climate change because it has the potential to alter the livability of regions and, perhaps, the planet itself. This module steps away from those numbers, the questions of “how much” climate change might occur, and takes a look at the question of “what if.” It shows how life forms—plant and animal—might be affected by changes in various aspects of climate. We look at some of the possible biological consequences of the familiar physical aspects of climate change (temperature, rainfall, ultraviolet radiation, etc.). We also explore what we call changes in the “chemical climate,” alterations in the chemical composition of the atmosphere that could be substantial enough to elicit responses in biological organisms. Show less
