The Effects of Climate Change

Rising temperatures

Globally, over the past century, the average temperature of the atmosphere near the earth’s surface has risen by 0.74 degrees Celsius. Eleven of the 12 hottest years on record occurred between 1995 and 2006.

The scientific consensus is that global temperatures could rise between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees above 1980-1999 levels by the end of the 21st century. The exact amount depends on the levels of future greenhouse gas emissions.

Changing sea levels and temperatures

Globally, the sea level could rise by 18 to 59 cm by the end of the century. Rising sea levels would swamp some small, low-lying island states and put millions of people in all low-lying areas at risk of flooding.

Extreme weather

Since rain records began in 1766, the amount of winter rainfall in England and Wales has risen. Over the last 45 years it has also become heavier; in 2000, UK flooding was the worst for 270 years in some areas.

Globally, climate change means that extreme weather events – like floods, droughts and tropical storms – will become more frequent and dangerous.

Plants and animals

A global temperature rise could make some species extinct

There are already changes to the way plants and animals live in this country. The period between spring and autumn when plants grow is now a month longer in central England than it was in 1900.

Further changes in rainfall and temperature will affect many animal and plant species around the world. Some species might be unable to adapt quickly enough and habitats might not be available for them to move into. If global temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius, 30 per cent of all land-living species will be threatened by an increased risk of extinction.

Food and water

As temperatures increase and rainfall patterns change, crop yields are expected to drop significantly in Africa, the Middle East and India.

Water availability for irrigation and drinking will be less predictable because rain will be more variable. It is also possible that salt from rising sea levels may contaminate underground fresh water supplies in coastal areas. Droughts are likely to be more frequent. Up to three billion people could suffer increased water shortages by 2080.

Disease

With rising temperatures, diseases like malaria, West Nile disease, dengue fever and river blindness will shift to different areas. It is predicted that 290 million additional people could be exposed to malaria by the 2080s. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) says that health of people in the UK will also be affected.

Rain forests

Large areas of Brazilian and central African rainforest could be lost if climate change results in big falls in rainfall in these areas. This would be on top of the forest already being cut down to clear land for agriculture. These forests currently absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.