The Impacts of global warming

The Impacts of global warming

1. Direct impacts

   • Arctic
     • .Northwards shift of coniferous forest
     • Longer and warmer growing season
     • Increasing forest fires and insect tree deaths
     • 40% of total permafrost expected to thaw (Siberia) Methane , new wetlands.
     • Temps risen 3-4.C 50 yrs ( Alaska, NW Canada)
     • Temps could rise 3-5.C more 100yrs
     • Snow reflects solar energy= melt=more warming
     • sea less saline= Loss of gulf steam and cooling nw Europe
     • UV radiation damage freshwater ecosystems
     • Carbon cycle changes
     • Coastal erosion =thawing permafrost weakens coast
     • Impacts on marine species e.g polar bears+seals and on land species e.g vole,arctic fox.
     • Decline of food for indigenous people , need herd animals,decline n freshwater fish, increase marine fish , increase in marine shipping, land transport distrupted permafrost. more agriculture and forestry, vulnerable to exploitation.
   • Africa
     • Water stress
       • Food insecurity
     • Loss of biodiversity and Natural resources
     • More diseases
     • Threat to coastal zones
     • Desertification
     • Poverty

2. Indirect impacts

   • Worst case 15m rise in sea by 2100
   • Big cities in peril
   • some models show increased snowfall
   • Isostatic change
   • Vulnerable to rise
   • Largest river deltas e.g Ganges
   • Areas defended but close to sea level e.g Netherlands
   • Low lying islands
   • Bangladesh
     • sea levels destroying mangrove swamps
     • 70% country less 6m above sea level
     • 20%land could be lost, 40 million displaced
     • Multiple hazard zone and coast too long to defend
   • Egypt
     • 1m rise in sea level affect 15% land , displace 7 million people
   • Netherlands
     • coastal lowlands+ densely populated
     • 1m rise in sea could cost $12,000
   • Pacific Islands
     • Prone to natural disasters e.g hurricanes
     • Degradation of natural environments
     • Nowhere to flee to
     • Groundwater contamination
     • Maldives,Vanauatu,Tuvalu,Kiribati
     • Dense and growing population e.g Fiji