A warmer world is least likely to result in which of the following?

• A. Decreased rates of sea level rise
• B. Increased frequency of extreme weather events
• C. Altered timing of biological events (phenology)
• D. Expansion of species ranges toward the poles

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the problem: A warmer world refers to global climate change, primarily driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions. This has various ecological and environmental impacts, including changes in sea levels, weather patterns, biological events, and species distributions.
2. Analyze each option provided: Evaluate how each listed phenomenon is influenced by a warming climate. For example, increased temperatures lead to melting ice caps, contributing to sea level rise, and warmer conditions can alter biological events and species ranges.
3. Focus on the least likely outcome: Identify which of the options is inconsistent with the established effects of a warming world. For instance, decreased rates of sea level rise contradict the well-documented trend of rising sea levels due to melting glaciers and thermal expansion of water.
4. Consider scientific evidence: Increased frequency of extreme weather events, altered timing of biological events (phenology), and expansion of species ranges toward the poles are all supported by research as consequences of global warming. Decreased rates of sea level rise are not supported by evidence.
5. Conclude the reasoning: Based on the analysis, the least likely outcome in a warmer world is 'Decreased rates of sea level rise,' as it contradicts the observed and predicted effects of climate change.