Climate Change Impacts PDF

Data on Climate Change: Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C since pre-industrial times Temperature Increase:Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves in 2019, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several countries. Extreme Weather Events: Hurricane Maria in 2017 devastated Puerto R...

Data on Climate Change: Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C since pre-industrial times Temperature Increase:Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves in 2019, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several countries. Extreme Weather Events: Hurricane Maria in 2017 devastated Puerto Rico, causing massive infrastructure damage and a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Ecosystem Disruption:The polar bear population is declining as Arctic ice melts, reducing their hunting grounds and access to food.Many bird species are migrating earlier due to warmer springs, which can lead to a mismatch with the availability of food resources. Resilience A society's ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from climate change impacts. Key factors contributing to resilience include: Economic Stability: Access to nancial resources for recovery Social Equity: Support for vulnerable communities Adaptive Capacity: Technological advancement and infrastructure capabilities Adaptation to Climate Change Key climate change adaptation strategies include: Flood Defenses: Construction of levees and coastal defenses Vaccination Programs: Public health measures for climate-related health impacts Desalination Plants: Technology for freshwater availability Agricultural Adaptation: Planting crops in newly suitable areas Climate agreements Kyoto Protocol (1997): First signi cant treaty for reducing greenhouse gas emissions Paris Agreement (2015): Universal climate framework aiming to keep global temperature rise below 2°C Three Amigos Summit (2016): North American Leaders' Summit focusing on regional cooperation Bangladesh A low-lying country with a high population density on oodplains, the population is highly vulnerable to ooding and sea-level rise. In contrast, the Netherlands, with advanced ood defenses, has a higher adaptive capacity. 75% of the country is less than 10 meters above sea level. In 1998, 75% of Bangladesh was ooded, making 30 million people homeless, with over 1,000 deaths and 700,000 hectares of crops destroyed Ghana Vulnerable to drought and reduced rainfall, threatening food and energy security. Key factors include: 45% of the workforce is employed in agriculture. Rainfall is expected to decrease by 4% by 2040. Mean annual temperatures have increased by 1°C since 1960 and are projected to increase by a further 1−3°C by the 2060s fl fi fi fl fl fl  Power Climate change will also a ect middle- and upper-income people either directly or indirectly through increased food prices, food scarcity, higher insurance premiums, and reduced water availability. The Greenhouse E ect A natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This process keeps Earth's temperature at a level suitable for life. Incoming Solar Radiation: The Sun emits energy in the form of shortwave radiation, which passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by Earth's surface. Outgoing Longwave Radiation: Earth's surface emits energy back into the atmosphere as longwave radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate this energy, warming the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Percentage Contribution: 60% of the enhanced greenhouse e ect. Source: Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes like cement production. Role: CO₂ is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas responsible for long-term warming. Its ability to persist in the atmosphere for centuries makes it the most signi cant contributor to climate change. Human in uence on the Greenhouse gas e ect Global Dimming refers to the gradual reduction in the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface due to increased atmospheric particulates, primarily from human activities. Since 1950, the rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions has signi cantly accelerated due to: Industrial Revolution: Marked a turning point with the widespread use of fossil fuels such as coal and later oil. Technological Advancements: Rapid industrialization, transportation development, and urbanization in the 20th century contributed to increased emissions. Population Growth: Increased demand for energy and resources has further accelerated emissions. Hydrosphere Sea Level Rise: Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets: The melting of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica, contributes to rising sea levels. Thermal Expansion: As ocean water warms, it expands, further contributing to sea level rise. Impact: Coastal areas face increased risks of ooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources. Changes in Precipitation Patterns: Increased Evaporation: Higher temperatures increase evaporation rates, altering precipitation patterns. Impact: Some regions may experience more intense and frequent rainfall, leading to ooding, while others may face prolonged droughts. The Sahel region in Africa has seen increased variability in rainfall, contributing to both severe droughts and unexpected ooding. fl fl ff ff fl ff fl ff fi fi  People & Places Employment Tourism: Decline in Tourism: Some areas may see a decline in tourism, such as ski resorts su ering from unreliable snow. Impact: Loss of tourism revenue a ects local economies and employment. Ski resorts in the Alps have seen shorter seasons and reduced snowfall, impacting local businesses and jobs. Agriculture: Changes in Crop Viability: Farmers may need to change crops or livestock due to altered growing conditions. Impact: Some farmers may be forced to abandon agriculture, leading to loss of livelihoods. In parts of the Midwest USA, farmers are shifting from corn to more drought-resistant crops like sorghum. Homes Flooding and Displacement: Increased Flooding: Sea level rise and more severe storms increase the risk of ooding, leading to displacement. Impact: Homes in low-lying areas may need additional defenses or be abandoned. The residents of the Paci c island nation of Kiribati are facing displacement due to rising sea levels and have sought environmental refugee status. Cost of Adaptation: Expensive Defenses: Improving ood defenses or relocating settlements is costly. Impact: Economic burden on communities and governments, particularly in low- income countries. The Netherlands has invested heavily in ood defenses, including the Delta Works, to protect against sea level rise. Social Impacts Migration: Environmental Refugees: Increased human migration from areas a ected by climate change. Impact: Strain on resources and infrastructure in receiving areas, and potential for social con ict. The UN estimates that 1.2 billion people could be displaced globally by 2050 due to climate change and natural disasters. Resource Scarcity: Decline in Resources: Hunger and con ict may increase as resources decline or change. Impact: Economic, social, and cultural changes, with a greater impact on low-income countries (LICs). In Bangladesh, 65% of workers are involved in agriculture, which is threatened by oods and sea level rise. The Water, Energy & Food Nexus Water Supply: Unpredictable Rainfall: Climate change a ects the availability and quality of freshwater. Impact: By 2050, up to 5 billion people could face freshwater shortages. The melting of glaciers and ice sheets has led to a 3% reduction in freshwater storage since 1971. fl fl fl fi ff fl fl ff fl ff ff  Food Supply: Crop Yields: Changes in temperature and precipitation a ect crop yields and livestock. Impact: Food security is threatened, particularly in regions dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Ghana, with 45% of its workforce in agriculture, faces signi cant risks from reduced rainfall and increased temperatures. ff fi Introduction Global climate change presents a multifaceted challenge that affects various aspects of human life and the environment. Understanding the concepts of vulnerability and resilience is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to these changes. This study note delves into the complexities of risk, vulnerability, and resilience in the context of global climate change, providing insights into how different regions and populations are affected and how they can respond. Risk & Vulnerability Exposure & Vulnerability The effects of climate change are not uniform and vary signi cantly based on several factors such as location, wealth, age, gender, and education. Vulnerability to climate change is determined by three main components: 1. Exposure: The degree to which a system is exposed to signi cant climatic variations. 2. Sensitivity: The degree to which a system is affected by climate variability and change. 3. Adaptive Capacity: The ability of a system to adjust to climate change, to moderate potential damages, and to cope with the consequences. Factors In uencing Vulnerability Location: Coastal areas and low-lying islands are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Wealth: Wealthier individuals and nations have more resources to invest in adaptive measures, while poorer communities may struggle to respond effectively. fl fi fi  Age and Gender: Vulnerable groups include infants, toddlers, school-age children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Education: Awareness and knowledge about climate change can in uence the ability to adapt and respond. Example In Bangladesh, a low-lying country with a high population density on oodplains, the population is highly vulnerable to ooding and sea-level rise. In contrast, the Netherlands, with advanced ood defenses, has a higher adaptive capacity. Vulnerable Groups Certain groups are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their social, economic, and physical conditions: Mothers and babies Infants and toddlers School-age and older children The elderly People with disabilities The poor Members of minority groups, refugees, and Indigenous people Other at-risk groups include: Caregivers for at-risk people Single-parent households Establishments like hospitals, schools, transport services, agriculture, tourism, and businesses Speci c Risks fl fl fi fl fl Low-lying islands and coastal areas face particular risks such as: Damaged coral reefs Increased coastal erosion Outward migration Saltwater in ltration Indigenous populations are especially vulnerable because they often live in fragile areas, have restricted resource access, and low incomes. Any change to their environment places them at greater risk. Note Climate change will also affect middle- and upper-income people either directly or indirectly through increased food prices, food scarcity, higher insurance premiums, and reduced water availability. Human Health Climate change impacts human health by increasing the prevalence of vector- and waterborne diseases, respiratory diseases, and placing a greater burden on healthcare systems. Responding to Global Climate Change National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) The NAP aims to address climate change impacts in an integrated, coordinated, and sustainable manner. Adaptations include: Infrastructure development such as dams, levees, and seawalls fi  Preserving and restoring natural habitats like mangrove swamps Capacity development through education and empowerment Case Studies: Contrasting Vulnerabilities to Climate Change Bangladesh Bangladesh is a low-lying, at delta, making it highly vulnerable to sea- level rise and ooding. Key factors include: 75% of the country is less than 10 meters above sea level. Convergence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Seasonal ooding is necessary for fertile soil and irrigation but has increased in size, intensity, and frequency. Example In 1998, 75% of Bangladesh was ooded, making 30 million people homeless, with over 1,000 deaths and 700,000 hectares of crops destroyed. Ghana Ghana is vulnerable to drought and reduced rainfall, threatening food and energy security. Key factors include: 45% of the workforce is employed in agriculture. Rainfall is expected to decrease by 4% by 2040. Mean annual temperatures have increased by 1°C since 1960 and are projected to increase by a further 1−3°C by the 2060s. fl fl fl fl Resilience of Societies Resilience refers to a society's ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from climate change impacts. Factors contributing to resilience include economic stability, social equity, and adaptive capacity. Economic Stability Economic resources are crucial for repairing and rebuilding after climate- related disasters. Wealthier regions can recover more quickly due to greater resources. Social Equity Vulnerable communities, such as low-income or marginalized groups, are often more severely affected by climate change. Adaptive Capacity The ability to adapt varies signi cantly between regions and countries. For example, the Netherlands has advanced ood defenses, while Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable due to limited resources. Perspectives on Climate Change Individual experiences, societal values, and policies all in uence perspectives on climate change. These perspectives shape how people and societies respond to climate challenges. Tip Remember that climate change impacts societies differently based on their socio-economic conditions. Wealthy and developed regions can fi fl fl  better adapt and mitigate impacts, while poorer and developing areas are more vulnerable. Strategies to Manage Climatic Risks in Urban Areas Urban areas face unique challenges due to their high population densities and economic activities. Strategies to manage climatic risks include: Integrating planning and building design to mitigate risks. Installing rainwater harvesting systems. Investing in green spaces and permeable surfaces to reduce ooding risk. Example In Rotterdam, strategies include building designs to cope with ooding and sea-level rise, water squares to store water, and increased green spaces. Resilient City Design Urban resilience is de ned as the ability to recover and rebound from challenges and setbacks. Measuring resilience involves assessing economic, social, environmental, and governance components. Adapting Agricultural Practices Promote adoption of drought-resistant crops and resilient crop varieties. Implement soil management techniques to conserve water and nutrients. fl fi fl Land Zoning and Building Code Changes Update zoning regulations to consider climate risks like sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Strengthen building codes to enhance resilience against hurricanes, oods, wild res, and heatwaves. Conclusion Understanding the nuances of vulnerability and resilience is essential for developing effective strategies to combat the impacts of global climate change. By examining case studies and implementing adaptive measures, societies can improve their ability to withstand and recover from climate-related challenges. fl fi