12. Extended Response: What

is global warming, and what

impact is it having on coral reefs?

Answer: Global warming is the rise of the average temperature of the Earth's climate system (which is mainly caused by humans). The impact it is having on coral reefs is that sea levels are rising which may lead to increases in residue for reefs located near land-based sources of sediment. Sedimentation runoff can lead to the smothering of coral.