There&39;s no question that the Earth is getting hotter. The real questions are: How muc

h of the warming is our fault, and are we 1 to slow the devastation by controlling our insatiable 2 for fossil fuels？

Global warming can seem too 3 to worry about, or too uncertain-something projected by the same computer 4 that often can&39;t get next week&39;s weather right. On a raw winter day you might think that a few degrees of warming wouldn&39;t be such a bad thing anyway. And no doubt about it: Warnings about 5 change can sound like an environmentalist scare tactic, meant to force us out of our cars and restrict our lifestyles.

Comforting thoughts, perhaps. Unfortunately, however, the Earth has some discomforting news. From Alaska to the snowy peaks of the Andes the world is heating up right now, and fast. Globally, the 6 is up 1°F over the past century, but some of the coldest, most remote spots have warmed much more. The results aren&39;t pretty. Ice is 7 , rivers are running dry, and coasts are 8 , threatening communities.

The 9 are happening largely out of sight. But they shouldn&39;t be out of mind, because they are omens of what&39;s in store for the 10 of the planet.

[A]remote

[B]techniques

[C]consisting

[D]rest

[E]willing

[F]climate

[G]skill

[H]appetite

[I]melting

[J]vanishing

[K]eroding

[L]temperature

[M]curiosity

[N]changes

[O]skillful