- Rising Temperatures: The global average temperature has already increased by about 1°C since pre-industrial times, with more warming projected in the future if emissions aren’t curbed. This warming disrupts weather patterns, leading to
- More frequent and intense heatwaves
- Changes in precipitation patterns, including increased droughts in some regions and more intense floods in others
- Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers and polar ice sheets contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. Rising sea levels can cause:
- Increased flooding of coastal areas
- Saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources
- Loss of coastal land
- Extreme Weather Events: Climate change intensifies extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, and storms. These events can cause:
- Loss of life and property
- Disruptions to agriculture and food security
- Mass displacement of people
- Ocean Acidification: As the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they become more acidic. This acidification harms marine life, including shellfish, coral reefs, and plankton, disrupting the ocean’s food chain.
- Biodiversity Loss: Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events threaten habitats and species worldwide.Climate change can lead to:
- Species extinction
- Shifts in species distribution
- Disruption of ecosystems
- Human Health Impacts: Climate change poses various health risks, including:
- Heat-related illnesses and deaths
- Increased spread of waterborne diseases and vector-borne diseases like malaria
- Respiratory problems due to air pollution from wildfires and dust storms
- Mental health issues due to stress and displacement caused by extreme weather events
- Food Security: Changes in precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures can disrupt agricultural production, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition.
- Economic Impacts: Climate change can cause significant economic damage through infrastructure loss from extreme weather events, disruptions to agriculture and tourism, and the costs of adaptation and mitigation measures.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Climate change can exacerbate competition for resources like water and land, potentially leading to regional conflicts and displacement.