Climate change affects all regions of the globe.
Over the last 50 years, extreme fluctuations of extreme temperatures have been recorded. The frequency of cold days and frosts and frosts decreased, while the frequency of clade days, hot nights and heat waves increased. Researchers predict that waves of extreme heat and heavy rainfall will most likely increase in larger latitudes, while in most tropical regions the probability is that they will decrease.
The main effects of climate change
- Melting glaciers and increasing sea levels
When the water heats up, it increases its volume. At the same time, global warming causes melting ice.
The combination of these two elements leads to an increase in the volume of seas which causes floods and erosion of coastal areas.
Without applying adequate countermeasures as a result of the climate warming process, it is possible that by 2100, the sea level will grow by one meter or more. As a result of this evolution, some island countries and many low coastal regions will be completely flooded.
- Extreme weather
Torrential rain and other extreme weather events are becoming more and more common. They can cause floods and may affect water quality, but also reduce the availability of water resources in some regions.
- Risks to human health
An increase in deaths from either heat or cold weather has already been reported, depending on the region. Changes in the distribution of waterborne diseases or viruses are also visible.
- Costs for society and economy
Damage to property, infrastructure and human health impose high costs for society and the economy.
Between 1980 and 2011, floods affected more than 5.5 million people and caused direct economic losses of over € 90 billion.
Sectors of activity that rely heavily on certain temperatures and rainfall levels, such as agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism, are also greatly affected.
- Risks to wildlife
Climate change takes place so quickly that many species of plants and animals strive to adapt and survive.
Many marine and terrestrial species have already been relocated. Some plant and animal species will continue to be under threat of extinction if global average temperatures continue to rise.
- Risks to food production and species diversity
Especially in the warm climates of the Equator, it is very likely that more drying and degradation of the soils will occur as a result of changing the precipitation and evaporation conditions. This phenomenon will mainly affect emerging countries, which however face major difficulties in securing food. With the warming of the climate, tropical diseases will be able to reach regions that are still unaffected.
Consequences for Europe and Developing Countries
- Consequences of climate change for Europe:
In Central and Southern Europe, extreme heat, forest fires and droughts are more common
The Mediterranean area becomes drier, being more vulnerable to drought and fires
North Europe is getting wetter and winter floods have become commonplace
Urban areas, where 4 out of 5 Europeans live, are exposed to heat, floods and are poorly prepared to adapt to climate change
- Consequences of climate change for developing countries:
Many of the poor developing countries are among the most affected. The inhabitants of these areas depend heavily on their natural habitat and have the least resources at their disposal to adapt to the changing climate.
sources:
http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimawandel/haeufige-fragen-klimawandel