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Possible Consequences of Temperature Increases

The two most likely effects of an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the western tropical Pacific are a sea level rise and an increase in sea surface temperature. These two impacts may have dramatic consequences for the entire region. Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable. The sea level may rise as the icecaps from Greenland and Antarctica and mountain glaciers around the world melt. (See also Possible Consequences of Temperature Increases in Alaska, Northern Canada, and Greenland).

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photograph of uprooted palm trees Rising sea levels will lead to increased beach erosion and damage to coastal areas. (Photograph courtesy NOAA)

Graph of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide from 1958
Measurements show that the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. (Graphs by Robert Simmon, based on data from the NOAA Climate Monitoring & Diagnostics Laboratory)

As sea levels rise, millions of people will be displaced from their home. This will increase the population density increasing the demand for agriculture , and put additional stress on water resources. River deltas may become threatened as sea water begins to migrate upstream, contaminating freshwater supplies. Human health may also be affected as warmer temperatures may lead to increased incidence of malaria and other tropical diseases.

In the ocean, coral reefs may become bleached and die as the surface temperature increases. High ocean temperatures cause an algae that live within the coral to die. This algae is essential to the life of the coral. Tropical storms and hurricanes may also become more severe as sea surface temperature rises.

photograph of bleached coral High water temperatures can “bleach” coral—leading to the death of the reef. (Photograph courtesy NOAA)

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	PES » Global Warming » Information Center » Western Tropical Pacific » Possible Consequences of Temperature Increases
	The two most likely effects of an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the western tropical Pacific are a sea level rise and an increase in sea surface temperature. These two impacts may have dramatic consequences for the entire region. Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable. The sea level may rise as the icecaps from Greenland and Antarctica and mountain glaciers around the world melt. (See also Possible Consequences of Temperature Increases in Alaska, Northern Canada, and Greenland).		forward: Questions browse: Table of Contents Rising sea levels will lead to increased beach erosion and damage to coastal areas. (Photograph courtesy NOAA)
			Measurements show that the level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. (Graphs by Robert Simmon, based on data from the NOAA Climate Monitoring & Diagnostics Laboratory)
	As sea levels rise, millions of people will be displaced from their home. This will increase the population density increasing the demand for agriculture , and put additional stress on water resources. River deltas may become threatened as sea water begins to migrate upstream, contaminating freshwater supplies. Human health may also be affected as warmer temperatures may lead to increased incidence of malaria and other tropical diseases. In the ocean, coral reefs may become bleached and die as the surface temperature increases. High ocean temperatures cause an algae that live within the coral to die. This algae is essential to the life of the coral. Tropical storms and hurricanes may also become more severe as sea surface temperature rises.		High water temperatures can “bleach” coral—leading to the death of the reef. (Photograph courtesy NOAA)
			forward: Questions