(8.1.2) How may climate change affect people + how can technology be used and people's lifestyle changed to reduce these impacts?

effects: UK + Tuvalu, new tech + lifestyles, opinions on these, responses to climate change

What have the effects of climate change in the UK been in recent history?

all of the UK’s 10 warmest years have occurred since 2002

since 1998, UK has seen 7 of 10 wettest years

heatwaves are 30 times more likely

How will warmer temperatures lead to droughts?

increased temp

warmer, longer summers

reduced ppt. in some areas

more frequent/longer droughts

How could warmer temperatures lead to floods?

increase sea temps

more water from seas evaporated

heavier rainfall

more flooding

How else could warmer temperatures lead to floods?

hotter temperatures

melting ice sheets + glaciers

higher sea levels

vulnerable coastal areas more likely to flood

How will warmer temperatures lead to hurricanes?

hotter seas

oceans > 27 degrees needed for hurricanes

temperatures will be higher for longer

increased risk of hurricane formation

What are the projections for the UK’s climate + oceans?

winters- warmer and wetter

summers- hotter and likely drier (but could be wet)

by 2050, heatwaves like 2019 like expected biannually

sea levels will keep rising- risk of floods

What are the 3 main categories of environmental change?

higher temperatures

sea level rise

rainfall changes

What are the economic threats of sea level rise?

sea defences (Thames barrier) will need to be upgraded

increased flood risk + coastal flooding:

• businesses + homes damaged

coastal erosion → cliff erosion: property damage

fishing industry →

• harmed by damage to infrastructure

• change in fish species

What are the social threats of sea level rise?

increased flood risk → drives people away from vulnerable areas

people will lose homes + property

What are the environmental threats of sea level rise?

natural habitats like salt marshes + mudflats could be lost

What are the economic opportunities of sea level rise?

manufacturing industry boost

• need for flood defence construction

construction industry boosted

• need for new sea defences

What are the economic threats of temperature rise?

greater evaporation → more irrigation needed for agriculture

What are the social threats of temperature rise?

water shortages as evaporation increases

deaths from heat related illnesses increases

What are the environmental threats of temperature rise?

species moving north for lower temperatures

• messing with natural ecosystem

wildfires become more common

• destroying habitats + settlements

What are the economic opportunities of temperature rise?

tourist industry could be boosted

crops from warmer climates could be grown in the UK

longer growing season could be good for certain crops

What are the social opportunities of temperature rise?

cold related illnesses could decrease

What are the environmental opportunities of temperature rise?

longer growing season for crops

What are the economic threats of increased rainfall?

insurance costs will rise from flash flooding

over 1M properties could be at risk of flash flooding by 2080s

What are the economic opportunities of increased rainfall?

manufacturing industries boosted

• need for flood defences

What are the environmental opportunities of increased rainfall?

managed rivers might be encouraged to revert back

new wetland might be created

• boosting wildlife

What are the environmental impacts of climate change in Tuvalu?

Dry season: increasing droughts

Wet season: tropical storms

Saltwater intrusion→

• polluted groundwater

• killed pulaka plants + coconut trees

• decreased yields of various other fruit trees

Coastal erosion (esp. West)

Rising sea temperatures:

• coral bleaching

What are the social impacts of climate change in Tuvalu?

Groundwater is no longer fit for human consumption

Most people live in coastal areas→

• residents have been forced to evacuate

People can no longer live on their usual diet as plants die

What are the economic impacts of climate change in Tuvalu?

marine ecosystem = vital to Tuvalu’s economy

rising sea temperatures- decreased marine productivity

land of palm plantations + pulaka pits are not fit for cultivation

• food needs to be imported

local subsistence economy hit as crops can no longer be grown

airport’s runway is partly underwater for several months of the year

Name a long term impact on Tuvalu for:

• people

• economy

  environment

Tuvalu will soon be uninhabitable, forcing people to move

economic setbacks as key aspects of their economy are now impossible

land loss as sea levels engulf low-lying areas

What does the spatial future of the UK look like?

coastal erosion

long term rise → loss of land from coastal/low lying areas

What does the temporal future of the UK look like?

South → drier

North → wetter

hotter summers

wetter winters

more frequent weather events

What does the social future of the UK look like?

change to farming practices

warmer Springs: longer growing period

risk of failed harvests for some crops

more heat related illnesses

What does the spatial future of Tuvalu look like?

land loss as sea levels rise

coastal erosion

loss of cultivatable land

What does the temporal future of Tuvalu look like?

more intense + frequent storms

more droughts in the warm season

What does the social future of Tuvalu look like?

reduced drinking water (saltwater intrusion)

more storms- damage to homes

declining marine resources → harm to fisheries

threat of cultural erosion as climate refugees increase

higher dependence on international aid

What are some governmental actions taken to reduce greenhouse emissions?

Glasgow Climate Pact (2021 COP26)

• 1.5 degrees target

Carbon Neutral by 2050

• committed to by UK

ULEZ

• other cities are implementing Clean Air Zones too

Climate Policy by Councils (Oct 2021)

• local councils are encouraged to take action (not required)

What are some individual actions taken to reduce greenhouse emissions?

insulate homes to reduce heat loss

recycle more, consume less

reduce meat consumption

switch to renewable/green energy

encourage tree planting

What are some new technologies that help reduce the impacts of climate change?

sustainable homes

electric cars

• no tailpipe emissions

• potential for renewable energy use

• (use of mined materials + batteries)

smart buildings

• Lights: motion-sensor LEDs

• Temperature sensing thermostats

• renewable energy in building- solar panels, wind energy

carbon capture technology

• carbon injected in suitable underground reservoirs,

• compressed,

• injected into a suitable geological storage location

What are current international commitments to climate actions?

many nations have signed up to Paris Agreement:

• limit global increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels

• (keep below 2 degrees max)

Under Trump IN 2017, US withdrew, rejoined under Biden and have left again in 2025

What did the US withdrawal mean for international efforts?

largest emissions are from the US

reduces funds available

weakened international efforts

Why do views/attitudes to climate change differ?

national economic interests

• climate protecting policies may hurt economies

fairness debate

• HICs dealt the most damage

personal experience

• those who suffer want action

NIMBYism

different media peddle different views

What are the challenges of managing on an international scale?

differing national interests

difficult to enforce action

HICs often need to finance LIC and NIC action

What are the benefits of managing on an international scale?

shared responsibility + resources

MNCs are held to standards globally

drives collective action