Final answer:
Evaporation is projected to increase by 2100, mainly due to rising global temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions. This increase in atmospheric temperatures will enhance the rate of ocean evaporation and contribute to more intense precipitation patterns, particularly in tropical and high-latitude regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 4 (AR4) multimodel climate projections suggest that evaporation is likely to increase by the year 2100. This increase in evaporation is tied to the expected rise in average global temperatures, which are predicted to increase significantly due to heightened levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The increased atmospheric temperatures lead to the melting of polar ice caps and an increase in ocean evaporation rates. Water vapor, which is a potent greenhouse gas itself, will thereby increase and potentially exacerbate the greenhouse effect.
Additionally, while evaporation rates are projected to increase globally, changes in precipitation patterns and intensities are also predicted. With the warming of Earth, especially over landmasses and in the Arctic, evaporation will increase, leading to more water vapor in the atmosphere. This, in turn, can result in an increased intensity of precipitation events, notably in tropical and high-latitude regions. Complex climate feedback loops, such as positive feedback from melting ice and increased water vapor, could accelerate climate change and potentially lead to runaway greenhouse effects if not mitigated.