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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Climate Change Impacts
Climate change is already affecting our planet in profound ways. The impacts vary by region, but no place on Earth will remain untouched by the changing climate. These impacts range from physical changes to our environment to serious consequences for human societies and economies.
Key Definitions:
As global temperatures rise, seawater expands and ice sheets melt, causing sea levels to rise. Current projections suggest a rise of 0.5-1.2m by 2100. This threatens coastal communities, can cause erosion and may lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies.
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, droughts and heatwaves. These events can cause immediate destruction and long-term environmental damage.
Arctic sea ice is declining at a rate of about 13% per decade. Mountain glaciers are retreating worldwide. This affects wildlife habitats, indigenous communities and contributes to sea level rise.
Climate change alters rainfall patterns, making wet regions generally wetter and dry regions drier. This disrupts water availability for drinking, agriculture and ecosystems.
Climate change is altering habitats faster than many species can adapt, leading to significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Climate change could cause up to 30% of species to be at increased risk of extinction if global temperatures rise by 1.5-2.5°C.
Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns are altering habitats, forcing species to migrate or adapt. Some habitats, like coral reefs and polar regions, are particularly vulnerable.
The timing of seasonal events (like flowering, migration and breeding) is shifting, disrupting ecological relationships between species.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced multiple mass bleaching events since 1998. The 2016-2017 bleaching affected over two-thirds of the reef. Bleaching occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae due to stress from high water temperatures. Without these algae, corals lose their main food source and often die. The reef supports thousands of marine species and contributes approximately £4 billion annually to Australia's economy through tourism and fishing.
Climate change affects human societies in numerous ways, from threatening food and water security to damaging infrastructure and economies.
Climate change affects crop yields, livestock and fisheries. While some northern regions may initially benefit from longer growing seasons, global food production is expected to decline as temperatures rise further. Developing countries in tropical regions are most vulnerable.
Changing precipitation patterns and melting glaciers affect water availability. By 2050, up to 5 billion people could experience water stress due to climate change. This has implications for drinking water, sanitation, agriculture and energy production.
Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities and infrastructure. Extreme weather events damage buildings, roads and utilities. Heat stress affects transport systems and urban areas (creating "urban heat islands").
Climate change affects health through heat stress, air pollution, vector-borne diseases (like malaria and dengue fever) and mental health impacts from disasters and displacement.
Climate change impacts vary significantly by region, with some areas experiencing more severe effects than others.
Warming at 2-3 times the global average rate. Melting ice affects wildlife, indigenous communities and global sea levels.
Highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, coastal erosion and extreme weather. Some low-lying islands may become uninhabitable.
Facing increased drought, reduced agricultural productivity and water stress. Limited adaptive capacity due to poverty and other challenges.
Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. With a large population (over 160 million) and low-lying coastal areas, it faces multiple climate threats:
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Bangladesh faces some of the most severe climate impacts. The country has developed a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, focusing on adaptation measures like flood-resistant housing, improved early warning systems and salt-tolerant crop varieties.
The impacts of climate change raise important questions about fairness and responsibility. The countries that have contributed least to climate change often face the most severe impacts and have the fewest resources to adapt.
Climate justice recognizes that climate change affects different groups unequally. It calls for fair treatment of all people in the development of climate policies and actions. This includes considering historical responsibility for emissions and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive support for adaptation.
Within countries, certain groups are more vulnerable to climate impacts: the elderly, children, those with pre-existing health conditions, outdoor workers, indigenous communities and those living in poverty. Climate change can exacerbate existing inequalities.
Climate change impacts are wide-ranging and interconnected. They include:
Understanding these impacts is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies and recognizing the urgency of climate mitigation efforts.
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