Climate Change: Rising Temperatures and Consequences

Environmental Impact of Climate Change

Rising Global Temperatures

• Average global temperature has risen by about 1°C since the late 1800s
• 20 of the last 22 years have been the warmest on record
• Projected to increase by another 2-5°C by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise

Consequences of Rising Temperatures

• Melting of Polar Ice Caps: Sea levels rising by about 3.2 mm per year
• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and severity of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall
• Changes in Precipitation Patterns: Altered patterns of rainfall and snowfall, leading to more frequent floods and droughts

Impact on Ecosystems and Biodiversity

• Loss of Biodiversity: Rising temperatures altering habitats, leading to extinction of many plant and animal species
• Disruption of Food Chains: Changes in species populations and distributions affecting ecosystems
• Increased Risk of Wildfires: Droughts and heatwaves creating conditions for devastating wildfires

Effects on Water Resources

• Changes in Water Cycle: Altered patterns of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
• Increased Risk of Water Scarcity: Changes in precipitation patterns and rising temperatures affecting water availability
• Threats to Human Health: Contamination of water sources and increased risk of water-borne diseases

Ocean Acidification

• Increase in CO2 Absorption: Oceans absorbing more CO2, leading to acidification
• Impact on Marine Life: Acidification affecting marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs and shellfish
• Consequences for Global Food Security: Impacts on fisheries and marine food chains

Environmental Impact of Climate Change

Rising Global Temperatures

• The average global temperature has risen by about 1°C since the late 1800s
• The last 22 years have seen a record-breaking temperature trend, with 20 of them being the warmest on record
• If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the global temperature is projected to increase by another 2-5°C by 2100

Consequences of Rising Temperatures

• The melting of polar ice caps is causing sea levels to rise by about 3.2 mm per year
• The frequency and severity of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall are increasing
• Changes in precipitation patterns are leading to more frequent floods and droughts

Impact on Ecosystems and Biodiversity

• Rising temperatures are altering habitats, leading to the extinction of many plant and animal species
• Changes in species populations and distributions are disrupting food chains
• The increased risk of wildfires is a result of droughts and heatwaves

Effects on Water Resources

• The water cycle is being altered, with changes in evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
• The increased risk of water scarcity is a result of changes in precipitation patterns and rising temperatures
• The contamination of water sources and increased risk of water-borne diseases are threatening human health

Ocean Acidification

• The oceans are absorbing more CO2, leading to acidification
• Ocean acidification is affecting marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs and shellfish
• The consequences of ocean acidification are impacting global food security, affecting fisheries and marine food chains