The average global temperature of the Earth is increasing at an unprecedented rate. The evidence is overwhelming that this increase is caused largely by the increase of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere due to society’s accelerating consumption of fossil fuels. There is widespread agreement among climate scientists that consequences will include substantial sea level rise, increased incidence of extreme weather, gradual shifts in the ability of native plants and animals to thrive in their current locations, and increased risk of drought in many parts of the world.