The most significant threats of climate change in the year 2024 are of environmental, economic and social actions that could change significantly the way we live.
- Extreme Weather Events
Increased Frequency and Intensity: The ferocity and frequency of hurricanes, floods, heat waves, droughts and wildfires are also escalating with climate change. That results in high casualties, displacement and infrastructural damage.
Heatwaves: Rising average temperatures across the globe result in heat waves that last longer and are more extreme. This exposes hundreds of millions of peoples to health problems or death caused by heat, especially in cities.
- Rising Sea Levels
Coastal Erosion And Flooding: The cause of rising sea levels consists of the depressing influence of ice caps and glaciers and thermal expansion of the sea. It relates to the flooding, land loss and displacements of millions of people who inhabit low land regions especially in some small island countries and coastal cities.
Climate Refugees: Climatic change may lead to the migration of whole communities from one region in the world to another. This would make it difficult for cities and regions to cope, most likely leading to political conflicts.
- Territorial and Ecological Ruin and Protection of Biodiversity
Extinction of Species: The alteration in temperature and ecosystems has made it very difficult for many species of plants and animals to survive. To illustrate, the coral reefs are dying because of the acidification and warming of the oceans.
Altered Ecosystems: The ecosystems have come under pressure, disrupting food webs and natural resource areas including agriculture, fishing and forestry.
- Food from the Sea and Water
Decline of Agriculture: The impact of climate change on existing climate patterns is causing a destabilization of growing seasons, lessening yields in certain areas and making cultivation near impossible. Weather extremes such as drought, flooding and shift in season have the potential of destroying farming and ultimately food availability.
Water Shortages: The melting of glaciers and a change in rainfall distribution are causing severe water shortages in many areas aggravating conflicts over the water in already drought-stricken regions.
- Public Concern
Expanded Diseases: Certain diseases which include dengue and malaria arise in warmer temperatures. Due to the potential for floods increasing, it is possible that waterborne diseases may thrive as output water becomes unsafe for use.
Pollutants and Respiratory Disorders: Climate change has a negative impact on air quality leading to the development of respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases due to high levels of pollutants and allergens such as pollen present in the atmosphere.
- Disruption to the Economy
Loss of Productivity: Deteriorating climatic conditions or an increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events can impact sectors of the economy such as agriculture, tourism or fishing and as a result create an unsuitable business environment.
Loss of Infrastructure: Damage from hurricanes, flooding and wildfires is costing billions in harm to homes, businesses and infrastructure which is proving to be too much for insurance and governments.
Environmental Migration: Climates causing such changes where there is a migration of people to other areas because of flooding or even the infernal heat, there is a high probability of unforeseen economic and social risks in the low income earning countries.
- Ocean Temperature Increase and Ocean Acidification
Effect on Ocean Living Things: The tropical areas of the world are now getting warmer and this is due to the research that shows temperatures are too high and there is too much carbon in the air being emitted, thus resulting in both heating and acidifying oceans which is a disadvantage to all oceanic creatures ranging from coral reefs and fish to shell fish.
Impact on Fisheries: The fishing communities which rely entirely on fishing as their source of income are earning much lower than before as fish stocks are depleted and aquatic habitats decline.
- Political and Social Instability
Conflicts Over Resources: Struggles over decreasing natural resources generally fresh water, fertile soils, energy resources etc are likely to cause wars with instability and migratory weight on the highly populated regions.
Climate Migration: Borders and resources are predicted to be under strain as people abandon their territories due to the sea levels increase, droughts and other disasters related to climate change.
- Melting Permafrost and Releasing Methane
Vicious Circle: The warming of the Arctic region leads to the thawing of permafrost which contains frozen methane gas, a contributor to rising global temperatures. This process of a feedback loop would pose serious challenges in addressing warming and global climate change.
- Polar Ice Cap
Number of Glaciers: Continuous melting of the Arctic and Antarctic ice caps generally increases the ocean level and changes the climate regime with regards to the entire modern world and maybe even the ocean and other weather factors.
It is 2024 and the need to avert these threats is intensifying. However, the majority of countries and sectors remain unable to shift towards renewable energy, mitigate the damage to the environment and cope with the spin-off consequences of climate change. Tougher climate action, more collective effort and cleverer technologies will be essential to address these problems.
The post The 10 most significant consequences of climate change appeared first on NE Global Media.