UNIT I: Introduction to Climate change Introduction to Climate Change b) Climate Change: Impacts,
Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation
Prepared By: Mr. Kshitij S. Bairagi, Asst. Professor, SP College (Autonomous), Pune.
More severe storms
Destructive storms have become more intense and more frequent in many regions. As
temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates, which exacerbates extreme rainfall and flooding,
causing more destructive storms. The frequency and extent of tropical storms is also affected by
the warming ocean. Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons feed on warm waters at the ocean
surface. Such storms often destroy homes and communities, causing deaths and huge economic
losses.
Increased drought
Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more regions. Global
warming exacerbates water shortages in already water-stressed regions and is leading to an
increased risk of agricultural droughts affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the
vulnerability of ecosystems. Droughts can also stir destructive sand and dust storms that can
move billions of tons of sand across continents. Deserts are expanding, reducing land for
growing food. Many people now face the threat of not having enough water on a regular basis.
A warming, rising ocean
The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming. The rate at which the ocean is warming
strongly increased over the past two decades, across all depths of the ocean. As the ocean warms,
its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice sheets also cause sea
levels to rise, threatening coastal and island communities. In addition, the ocean absorbs carbon
dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. But more carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic,
which endangers marine life and coral reefs.
Loss of species
Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks
increase as temperatures climb. Exacerbated by climate change, the world is losing species at a
rate 1,000 times greater than at any other time in recorded human history. One million species are
at risk of becoming extinct within the next few decades. Forest fires, extreme weather, and
invasive pests and diseases are among many threats related to climate change. Some species will
be able to relocate and survive, but others will not.
Not enough food
Changes in the climate and increases in extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a
global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock may be destroyed or
become less productive. With the ocean becoming more acidic, marine resources that feed
billions of people are at risk. Changes in snow and ice cover in many Arctic regions have
disrupted food supplies from herding, hunting, and fishing. Heat stress can diminish water and
grasslands for grazing, causing declining crop yields and affecting livestock.
, More health risks
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. Climate impacts are already
harming health, through air pollution, disease, extreme weather events, forced displacement,
pressures on mental health, and increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people
cannot grow or find sufficient food. Every year, environmental factors take the lives of around 13
million people. Changing weather patterns are expanding diseases, and extreme weather events
increase deaths and make it difficult for health care systems to keep up.
Poverty and displacement
Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep
away urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in
outdoor jobs. Water scarcity may affect crops. Over the past decade (2010–2019), weather-related
events displaced an estimated 23.1 million people on average each year, leaving many more
vulnerable to poverty. Most refugees come from countries that are most vulnerable and least
ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Top 5 impacts of climate change on our
seas
1. Ocean warming
2. Melting polar ice
3. Sea level rise
4. Increased storm events
5. Ocean acidification
https://www.welshwildlife.org/blog/sightings-volunteer/climate-change-and-our-seas
Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation
Prepared By: Mr. Kshitij S. Bairagi, Asst. Professor, SP College (Autonomous), Pune.
More severe storms
Destructive storms have become more intense and more frequent in many regions. As
temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates, which exacerbates extreme rainfall and flooding,
causing more destructive storms. The frequency and extent of tropical storms is also affected by
the warming ocean. Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons feed on warm waters at the ocean
surface. Such storms often destroy homes and communities, causing deaths and huge economic
losses.
Increased drought
Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more regions. Global
warming exacerbates water shortages in already water-stressed regions and is leading to an
increased risk of agricultural droughts affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the
vulnerability of ecosystems. Droughts can also stir destructive sand and dust storms that can
move billions of tons of sand across continents. Deserts are expanding, reducing land for
growing food. Many people now face the threat of not having enough water on a regular basis.
A warming, rising ocean
The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming. The rate at which the ocean is warming
strongly increased over the past two decades, across all depths of the ocean. As the ocean warms,
its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice sheets also cause sea
levels to rise, threatening coastal and island communities. In addition, the ocean absorbs carbon
dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. But more carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic,
which endangers marine life and coral reefs.
Loss of species
Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks
increase as temperatures climb. Exacerbated by climate change, the world is losing species at a
rate 1,000 times greater than at any other time in recorded human history. One million species are
at risk of becoming extinct within the next few decades. Forest fires, extreme weather, and
invasive pests and diseases are among many threats related to climate change. Some species will
be able to relocate and survive, but others will not.
Not enough food
Changes in the climate and increases in extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a
global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock may be destroyed or
become less productive. With the ocean becoming more acidic, marine resources that feed
billions of people are at risk. Changes in snow and ice cover in many Arctic regions have
disrupted food supplies from herding, hunting, and fishing. Heat stress can diminish water and
grasslands for grazing, causing declining crop yields and affecting livestock.
, More health risks
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. Climate impacts are already
harming health, through air pollution, disease, extreme weather events, forced displacement,
pressures on mental health, and increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people
cannot grow or find sufficient food. Every year, environmental factors take the lives of around 13
million people. Changing weather patterns are expanding diseases, and extreme weather events
increase deaths and make it difficult for health care systems to keep up.
Poverty and displacement
Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep
away urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in
outdoor jobs. Water scarcity may affect crops. Over the past decade (2010–2019), weather-related
events displaced an estimated 23.1 million people on average each year, leaving many more
vulnerable to poverty. Most refugees come from countries that are most vulnerable and least
ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Top 5 impacts of climate change on our
seas
1. Ocean warming
2. Melting polar ice
3. Sea level rise
4. Increased storm events
5. Ocean acidification
https://www.welshwildlife.org/blog/sightings-volunteer/climate-change-and-our-seas
