unit 2.2 and 2.3 - consequences and responses to climate change

the impacts of climate change

• sea level rise

• increase in storm activity

• change in agricultural patterns

• less rainfall

• up to 40% of species will become extinct

changes to the atmosphere (climate change)

• warmer air

• increased storm activity

• change in temperature, wind, pressure, precipitation and humidity

changes to the hydrosphere (oceans)

• rising sea levels

• floods from glacial melt

• changes in sea ice

• ocean acidification

changes to the biosphere (climate change)

• increased amount of vegetation

• thawing of permafrost

• reduction of biodiversity

• changes in biomes and species composition in ecosystems

consequences of climate change in Asia

• decrease in freshwater availability in large river basins, could affect more than a billion people by 2050

• coastal areas at risk of flooding, especially the heavily-populated mega-delta regions in Southeast Asia

• sustainable development hurt in developing countries

consequences of climate change in Oceania

• significant loss of biodiversity e.g. the Great Barrier Reef

• decrease in production from agriculture and forestry due to increased drought and wildfires

consequences of climate change in Europe

• reduced water availability and hydropower potential, less summer tourism and lower crop productivity in Southern Europe

• glacier retreat, reduced snow cover, less winter tourism and extensive species losses in mountain areas

• decrease in summer precipitation and higher water stress in Central and Eastern Europe

consequences of climate change in Latin America

• significant biodiversity loss

• salinisation and desertification of agriculture lands

• increased risk of flooding in low-lying areas

consequences of climate change in North America

• decreased snow, more winter flooding and reduced summer flows in western mountain ranges

• increased number, intensity and duration of heatwaves in cities

• increase in wildfires

exposure definiton (disparities in exposure)

the degree to which people are exposed to climate change

sensitivity definiton (disparities in exposure)

the degree to which they could be harmed by exposure to climate change

adaptive capacity definiton (disparities in exposure)

the degree to which they could mitigate the potential harm of climate change by taking action to reduce their exposure or sensitivity

government led action on climate change examples

• The Toronto Conference 1988

• The Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992 (1st UN environment treaty)

• The Kyoto Protocol 1997 (cut emissions)

• UN Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 (MEDCs pledge to give $100 billion to LEDCs)

• UN Climate Change Conference Paris 2015 (agreement to cut emissions to prevent 2C)

examples of mitigation to climate change strategies

• protecting and enhancing carbon sinks through land management

• using biomass as a fuel source

• enhancing carbon dioxide absorption by the oceans

adaptation to climate change strategies

• flooding protection

• vaccination programmes

• desalinisation plants

• planting crops in previously unsuitable climates

examples of pollution management and control strategies

• reducing atmospheric pollution

• stopping forest clearance

• developing alternative renewable energy sources

• improving public transport

• recycling programmes