The predicted effects for the environment and for human life are numerous and varied. The main effect is an increasing global average temperature. From this flow a variety of resulting effects, namely, rising sea levels, altered patterns of agriculture, increased extreme weather events, and the expansion of the range of tropical diseases. In some cases, the effects may already be occurring, although it is generally difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term global warming.
A summary of possible effects and our current understanding can be found in the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II; a discussion of projected climate changes is found in Working Group I. The more recent IPCC Fourth Assessment Report outlines the latest agreed international thinking.
Scientific and business groups in individual countries are producing reports on the effects of global warming on their nation, such as in Australia.
Proposed responses to the effects of global warming include adaptation, mitigation and elimination.