What is the potential impact of global warming on society and the environment?

The choice highlighting that global warming can have a widespread impact on society and the environment is accurate because it acknowledges the multifaceted consequences of climate change. Global warming affects various sectors, including health, agriculture, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems.

For example, rising temperatures and altered weather patterns can result in extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding and other disasters. These events can disrupt food supply chains, threaten water resources, and increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses, impacting public health and safety. Additionally, changes in climate can lead to shifts in habitats, endangering species and disrupting biodiversity, which in turn affects ecosystem services that society relies on, such as pollination, clean water, and air purification.

The other options do not capture the extensive and interconnected effects of global warming. While some may suggest economic growth might improve due to certain adjustments, the overwhelming evidence points to significant long-term economic costs related to climate change. Limiting the impacts to only rural areas disregards the urban centers that will also face challenges from increased populations and changing climates. Finally, the notion that global warming only alters weather patterns significantly underestimates its wider implications, including socio-economic and environmental challenges.