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Slide 16 of 40

Scientific uncertainties concerning global warming remain. For example, computer models disagree with one another on local and regional climate impacts. One issues of uncertainty is the effects on climate of increased cloudiness. Depending on their chemical properties, more clouds could magnify or offset some of the expected temperature rise from an increase in cloudy weather.

Ecological and health impacts could be far reaching. They include more forest fires, outbreaks of deadly viruses, the northward spread of tropical diseases, flooding from storms, and so on. And there could be totally unforeseen atmospheric effects, as happened with the emergence of the ozone hole over Antarctica.