Question

question 13 of 30
earth’s average global temperatures are predicted to rise over time due to an increase in greenhouse gases. what is one potential effect of rising global temperatures?

a. some animals and plants may not be able to survive in their present habitats.

b. crops will be easier to cultivate because the growing season will be longer.

c. the supply of drinking water will increase as the freshwater in the polar ice caps melts.

d. weather will be milder, and there will be fewer storms.

Explanation:

• Option A: Rising temperatures change habitats (e.g., temperature, precipitation, food availability). Many species are adapted to specific conditions; if those change, they may struggle to survive. For example, polar species rely on ice, and a warmer climate reduces ice, harming them.
• Option B: While a longer growing season might seem good, rising temperatures also bring droughts, extreme heat, pests, and changes in precipitation patterns, making crop cultivation harder, not easier.
• Option C: Melting polar ice caps add saltwater to the oceans, not freshwater to drinking supplies. Also, melting ice can disrupt water cycles, leading to water shortages in some areas.
• Option D: Rising temperatures increase the energy in the atmosphere, leading to more extreme weather, including stronger storms, not milder weather with fewer storms.

Answer:

A. Some animals and plants may not be able to survive in their present habitats.