- Unevenly experienced
- Different climate patterns
- Different social and economic factors
Impacts on Natural Systems §
Increases in Atmospheric and Ocean Surface Temperatures §
- Caused by increased concentration of greenhouse gases in atmosphere
- Resulting in enhanced greenhouse effect
- Trap more heat in atmosphere
- Excess heat absorbed by oceans
- Increase in global sea surface temps
- Increase in ocean temps is NOT UNIFORM
- Some have warmed while others have cooled
Changes in Ocean Circulations §
- Water at poles cools and freezes -> increases in salinity -> increases in density -> sinks
- Slows down ocean circulations
- Water at surface gain heat -> less ice formed -> lower salinity -> lower density
- Melting glaciers add large amounts of freshwater
- reduces sinking of water at poles
Changes in Precipitation on Land §
- Strengthen existing precipitation patterns across space and time
- Wet regions become wetter
- Dry regions become drier
- Wet and dry seasons become more extreme
- Warmer temps result in increased water vapour in atmosphere
- Warm air hold more water vapour
- Warmer temps increase evaporation -> reduces surface water -> dries out soil and vegetation
Ocean Acidification §
- Important carbon sinks
- Phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis
- Carbon dioxide dissolves to form Carbonic Acid
- Increases ocean acidity
- Carbonic acid dissolves calcium carbonate, used in shells and skeletons of marine animals
- Coral reefs eroding faster
- Coral reefs have symbiotic relationship with algae
- Main source of food for corals
- Ocean temps too high -> bleach
Extreme Weather §
Wildfires §
- Unplanned and uncontrolled fires that burn in natural areas
- Increases the amount of dead and dry trees and vegetation
- Wildfires start and spread more easily
- More difficult to put out
- People may suffocate or suffer injuries and burns
- May result in air pollution due to CO2, carbon monoxide, ash and other fine particulate matter into the atmosphere
- Cause respiratory illnesses and even death
- May destroy buildings and properties
- Homelessness and economic loss :(
Droughts §
- Prolonged period of little to no rainfall in a specific area
- Areas become drier than normal
- Increases evaporation, reducing surface water stores
- Dries out soil and vegetation, worsening already dry conditions
- Lead to water shortage
- Lead to dehydration and death
- Possibility of crop failure
- People may be forced to move to obtain sufficient food and water
Tropical Cyclones §
- Intense circular storms that originate over warm tropical oceans
- Are accompanied by:
- Strong winds exceeding 320km/h
- Heavy rainfall over 100mm perday
- Storm surges where sea level can rise to 6cm or more
- Known as hurricanes in N Atlantic and NE Pacific oceans, typhoons in NW Pacific Ocean or tropical cyclones in S Pacific and Indian oceans
- ONLY FORM TROPICS
- ALWAYS BLOW FROM THE EAST
- Warmer oceans, more water vapour
- More intense cyclones happening more often
- Same impacts as flooding
- Wind + Water damage
Floods §
- Overflow of a large amount of water onto what is normally dry land
- Increased precipitation in areas which aren normally wet
- Increased snowmelt
- Results in sea level rise, increasing potential for coastal floods
- Cause loss of human life
- Destroys buildings and properties
Heat Waves §
- Periods of excessively hot weather which is abnormal for the location, usually lasting several days or longer
- Temperatures can reach as high or even exceed 40°C
- Caused by heat domes within high pressure zones
- Increase average global temperatures due to climate change and are likely to increase the severity, frequency and length of heat waves in different parts of the world
- Cause people to suffer from heat stroke, experience difficulties in breathing, and possibly die
- Depletes soil moisture, causing widespread crop failures, affecting global food supply