Global Warming Impacts

Global Warming Impacts

Rising Sea Levels

• Thermal expansion: Ocean water expands as it warms, contributing to sea level rise
• Melting of glaciers and ice sheets: Adds freshwater to the ocean, increasing sea levels
• Increased coastal erosion and flooding: Rising sea levels cause more frequent and severe coastal flooding and erosion

Extreme Weather Events

• Increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall events
• Warmer ocean temperatures: Lead to more intense hurricanes and typhoons
• Changes in precipitation patterns: Cause more frequent and severe floods and landslides

Water Scarcity

• Changes in precipitation patterns: Alter the distribution and availability of freshwater resources
• Increased evaporation: Warmer temperatures lead to increased evaporation from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs
• Decreased water quality: Changes in precipitation and temperature affect water quality, making it less suitable for human consumption and agriculture

Loss of Biodiversity

• Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns: Disrupt ecosystems, leading to extinctions and changes in species distribution
• Coral bleaching: Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, leading to loss of marine biodiversity
• Disruption of food chains: Changes in species distribution and extinction affect the delicate balance of food chains

Human Health Impacts

• Increased risk of heat-related illnesses and mortality: Warmer temperatures lead to more frequent and severe heatwaves
• Spread of disease: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns alter the distribution and prevalence of disease-carrying insects
• Malnutrition: Changes in food availability and quality lead to increased risk of malnutrition and related health problems

Global Warming Impacts

Rising Sea Levels

• Ocean water expands by thermal expansion, contributing 0.4 mm/year to sea level rise
• Melting of glaciers and ice sheets adds 1.4 mm/year to sea level rise
• Sea level rise causes more frequent and severe coastal flooding and erosion, affecting 10% of the global population

Extreme Weather Events

• Heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall events increase in frequency and intensity due to global warming
• Warmer ocean temperatures increase hurricane and typhoon intensity by 5-10%
• Changes in precipitation patterns cause 20-30% more frequent and severe floods and landslides

Water Scarcity

• Changes in precipitation patterns alter freshwater distribution, affecting 67% of the global population
• Evaporation increases by 7% for every 1°C rise in temperature, leading to decreased water availability
• 50% of global water resources are affected by decreased water quality due to climate change

Loss of Biodiversity

• 20-30% of plant and animal species are at risk of extinction due to climate change
• Coral bleaching affects 70% of coral reefs, leading to loss of marine biodiversity
• Disruption of food chains affects 80% of the global ecosystem, leading to cascading extinctions

Human Health Impacts

• Heat-related illnesses and mortality increase by 5-10% for every 1°C rise in temperature
• Disease-carrying insects spread to new areas, affecting 50% of the global population
• Malnutrition affects 20-30% of children under 5, leading to increased mortality rates

Explore the consequences of global warming, including rising sea levels, melting of glaciers, and extreme weather events.