Climate change is already beginning to alter the natural world. As biodiversity decreases, there will be far-reaching effects. Whatever we call it, global warming is impacting every living being on planet earth including plants and animals, in addition to ice caps melting, increasing sea levels and the extinction of plant and animal species. Global change is simply too pervasive and occurring too rapidly. Learn about the impact and consequences of climate change and global warming for the environment and our lives. Global warming is causing havoc on the wildlife of the world. Learn about global warming and the consequences to our environment from increased wildlife extinction rates to acidic oceans and polluted air. Which Animals Are Hardest Hit by Global Warming? Disruptions in the food chain may greatly affect not only ecosystems but also humanity's ability to feed an ever-growing population. At its worst, it is feared that Global Warming may cause as many as a staggering quarter of all land animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. Consequently, the balance of evidence from these studies strongly suggests that a significant impact of global warming is already discernible in animal and plant populations. And most species require certain conditions for the places that they will raise their young. At the moment we are witnessing this through changes in animal and plant global distribution, as well as their behaviour. Ice is melting in both polar ice caps and mountain glaciers. A study of 976 plant and animal species worldwide – freshwater, terrestrial and marine – reveals that local extinctions have happened in 47% of their natural ranges. Animals are in generally adaptable creatures and with the environment constantly changing, the need to quickly adapt is becoming important for the continuation of the species. Impact of Global Warming on Animals Animals are essential to maintain the circle of life and the food chain. The Effect of Global Warming on Animals & Plants Terry L. Root Senior Fellow—University Faculty Stanford University Over the last 100 years, the average global surface temperature has warmed approximately 0.7oC (1.4oF) and is projected to rise at an increasing rate over the next century. Increasing global temperatures are expected to disrupt ecosystems. It is just not the animals, but insects, reptiles, and aquatic animals are all interdependent on each other, and even on plants and humans. Consequently, the balance of evidence from these studies strongly suggests that a significant impact of global warming is already discernible in animal and plant populations. Natalie Boelman, assistant research professor at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, is studying the impacts of the changing conditions here on some of the millions of songbirds from all over the world that migrate to the Arctic in spring and summer to breed because of abundant food sources and fewer predators and … Because current climate change is so rapid, the way species typically adapt (eg - migration) is, in most cases, simply not be possible. For example, losing diverse insect species will decrease plant pollination. A large number of ancient mass extinction events have been strongly linked to global climate change. Global climate change and warming threaten the lives of plants, animals, and people. If governments and industries do not come together soon to reverse these effects, it may be too late. This does not mean that species have become extinct: the effects are local. 2 Minute Read The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole. large plant-eaters like moose, caribou/reindeer and musk ox; and ; meat-eaters like weasels, wolverines, wolves, foxes, bears and birds of prey. … Unless greenhouse gas emissions are severely reduced, climate change could cause a quarter of land animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. The changing climate with its more extreme weather is already affecting many plant and animal species and disrupting ecosystem functioning. According to Defenders of Wildlife , some of the wildlife species hardest hit by global warming include caribou (reindeer), arctic foxes, toads, polar bears, penguins, gray wolves, tree swallows, painted turtles, and salmon.