Rising kingdoms human 3
** Marvel et al 2019 provides new evidence drought increased in some regions during specific periods since 1900 (with aerosols possibly masking the trend when it is not detectable), and that this is connected to climate change. More frequent and intense weather extremesĬhanges to the global climate and weather events Changes in intensity or frequency so far.In the future, we project that the UK will see: * Some, but not all, evidence supports an increase. Changes to the UK climate and weather events Changes in intensity or frequency so far Ocean acidification is bad because it can have negative effects on marine organisms, like coral and plankton, which are an important part of the food chain. The oceans then become less alkaline, a process called 'ocean acidification'. Oceans also absorb around 25% of the carbon dioxide that humans release into the air. As well as making the sea level rise, freshwater also reduces the salinity (saltiness) of the water, which can slow or change ocean currents. When ice sheets and glaciers melt, freshwater flows into the sea. If we do not reduce emissions soon, we could see ice-free summers in the Arctic by the middle of this century.
Late summer Arctic sea ice area is currently the smallest in at least 1,000 years. It is already 65% thinner than it was in 1975. The area then heats even more quickly, causing even more ice to melt. So, when there is less ice, less energy from the sun is reflected away. At the poles, glaciers and ice sheets reflect energy from the sun into space. Some parts of the planet, such as the north and south pole, warm more quickly than other places. Between 1901 and 2018, the global average sea level has risen by around 20 centimetres. We also have extra water flowing into the ocean from melting ice sheets and glaciers. So, when oceans heat up, they expand too, causing the sea level to rise. However, when water heats up, it expands to take up more volume. Oceans absorb 90% of the extra heat generated by human influence. Over the past few years, heatwaves have been the deadliest global weather hazard. As the planet warms, heatwaves become more likely. This plot shows the global temperature change from 1850 to 2018, compared to the 1961-1990 average temperature.Ī warming planet leads to many other changes in our climate. The figures show us that the planet has been warming since the Industrial Revolution. Effects of climate change on the planetĪverage global temperatures have risen by more than 1☌ since the 1850s. With fewer resources to adapt to these changes, the impact on people in developing countries is expected to be higher. Though developed countries produce most greenhouse gas emissions, developing countries are predicted to see most of the severe effects. By the end of this century, warming could potentially reach 4☌, possibly more.Ĭlimate change will increase the risk of different problems around the world. But unless we reduce emissions rapidly, the world is likely to exceed 2☌ of warming. In a recent report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed the difference between 1.5☌ and 2☌ of global warming. However, the sooner we cut emissions, the smaller the changes will be. Even if we were to stop all emissions today, we would not prevent some changes. The level of climate change we will see depends on how quickly we cut emissions of dangerous greenhouse gases. The effects of climate change are real, and they are already happening. It places certain species at an increased risk of extinction. A changing climate impacts crop growth and human health, while many people may need to leave their homes.