As a result of man’s increased activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, global temperatures are increasing rapidly, with severe consequences to climate patterns, the wildlife, flora and fauna, and the health of mankind as well (IPCC para. 1), with human activities such as burning of fossil fuels is believed to have significantly contributed to this increase. These human activities include burning of fossil fuels and deforestation (National Research Council para. 6). Global warming has had devastating effects on the earth and if we do not act fast to contain the situation, we can only expect these effects to expand in scale. The current essay shall endeavour to assess the consequences of global warming. In addition, the essay shall also attempt to spell out the responses to global warming aimed at mitigating its negative consequences. Consequences of global warming on weather patterns An increase in global temperatures causes sea levels to rise, and this can change the pattern and amount of precipitation. At the same time, we are also likely to witness an increase in subtropical deserts (IPCC para. 4). One of the regions that have been hit most by global warming is the Arctic region, where there has been a dramatic retreat of glaciers and sea ice. Global warming has led to changes in weather patterns. For example, as a result of dry and hot weather, we witnessed a record-setting season of wild fires in 2006 whereby nearly 100,000 fires were reported. In addition, these wild land fires burned 10 million acres of land (Natural Resource Defense Council para. 3). Global warming has also resulted in more dangerous and powerful hurricanes, more than in any other time in the history of the planet. Even if we were to experience storms of a similar intensity in the future, the hurricanes that will occur at this time will be more dangerous because of the higher sea levels that will more than likely worsen flooding, erosion, and storm surges (Natural Resource Defense Council para. 4). However, even today, there are warning signs of the difficult days ahead, such as the increase in the number of storms experienced for the last 35 years, as well as the changes in ocean. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina, regarded as the most deadly hurricane to have ever hit the United States in the country’s history, resulted in massive economic losses estimated at $125 billion (Natural Resource Defense Council para. 5). Wildfires and droughts are also expected to increase due to warmer temperatures. Greater evaporation and more so during fall and summer, shall aggravate the risk of wild fires and worsen drought conditions. Effects of global warming on health Deadly mosquitoes are able to travel to further distances during hot weather conditions. At the same time, the presence of carbon dioxide in the air owing to global warming worsens allergies and asthma. Even today, we have warning signs of the consequences of heat waves (Natural Resource Defense Council para. 5). For example, in 2003, more than 70,000 individuals are believed to have lost their lives in Europe (Natural Resource Defense Council para. 6). These deaths occurred within a period of two weeks when temperatur