7.3 Climate Change Indicators and Effects

Global Warming Overview:

• Increase in Earth’s average atmospheric and oceanic temperatures over the past 100 years

• Accelerated Warming: The rate of temperature rise had increased since the 1960s.

• Regional Variability: Some regions thicken but overall, ice over is shrinking.

Polar and Glacial Ice Changes:

• The overall loss of mass in the West Antartic ice sheet has been approximately 65 km3 per year, contributing to sea level rise.

• This melting releases enough water to raise sea levels by about 0.16 mm per year highlighting the impact on global sea levels.

Impact on Polar Bears:

• Melting sea ice transforms the arctic biome, affecting the habitat of polar bears.

  • Polar bears depend on large areas of sea ice to hunt their prey, making them vulnerable as ice disappears.

  • In polar bears may be starving or forced to travel farther for food.

• WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) launched the Warm Waters for Cool Bears’ initiative in 2007.

  • using 30 years of satellite and weather data to study changes in sea-ice habitats

  • This research aims to inform decisions on protecting critical polar bear habitats.

Noteworthy Notes to Know?:

Rising Sea Levels:

• 10-15cm = Sea level Rise(Last 100 years)

• 20-40cm = Projected Sea Level Rise (Next 100 Years)

• 150, 000 KM2 = Ice Loss from Glaciers and Icecaps

• Various Global Regions = Areas Potentially Submerged

Climate and Health:

• Extreme Weather Risks: Increased frequency of heatwaves, floods and storms.

• Infectious Diseases: Higher temperatures boost outbreaks of diseases like malaria and Lyme disease.

• Respiratory Issues: Increased dust, mold, and pollen can worsen allergies and asthma.

Important:

Wind and Precipitation Changes:

• Temp Increase(1948):

  • increased by as much as 1.4C degrees.

• More Precipitation(1948-2023)

  • Total number of days per year have risen.

• Increased Snowfall(1948-2023)

  • The northern part of Ontario has been a significant increase in the number of snowfalls and the quantity of snow during autumn.

• Recent:

  • unusual Wind has increased which caused the melting of Ice in the Arctic.

• Ongoing:

  • High temperatures increase the rate of evaporation affecting local climates and weather patterns.

Desertification & Water Shortages:

• Desert Expansion: Lower precipitation leads to reduced land fertility.

• Water Scarcity:

  • By 2025, 50% of countries may face shortages.

  • By 2050, 75% of the world may experience freshwater scarcity.

Changing Biomes:

• An international team of researchers found that 15 to 35 percent of 1103 species studied are at risk of extinction by 2050.

• Extrapolating these results globally suggests that more than one million species are threatened with extinction due to climate change.

• Climate change is expected to alter habitats and disrupt ecosystems significantly.

• Species that are unable to adapt quickly enough face increased risks of extinction.

• The loss of biodiversity will have cascading effects on ecosystem services and human communities.

Deforestation & Wetlands Conservation:

• Deforestation:

  • Reduces CO2 absorption, increasing greenhouse gas levels.

  • Caused by human activities and natural disasters(e.g., wildfires).

• Wetlands Role:

  • Store & filter water, remove CO2, and supports biodiversity

  • Lower Great Lakes water levels threaten wetland habitats

  • Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan took cross-border initiatives.