Climate Change and Natural Hazards

• What is climate change?

  Long-term shifts in temperature and weather
• What primarily causes climate change since the Industrial Revolution?

  Human activities
• By how much has the global average temperature risen since pre-industrial times?

  1.1 degrees Celsius
• What was significant about the year 2023 in terms of climate?

  It was the hottest year on record
• What was the global average temperature in 2023 above pre-industrial levels?

  1.48 degrees Celsius
• What were CO2 levels in 2024 compared to pre-industrial levels?

  Over 419 ppm
• What natural event released 20 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide in 1991?

  Volcanic eruption of Mt Pinatubo
• What is the effect of volcanic eruptions on global temperatures?

  They can cause temporary global cooling
• What percentage of GHG emissions is contributed by burning fossil fuels?

  75%
• What is the contribution of agriculture to GHG emissions?

  24%
• What percentage of global CO2 emissions is due to deforestation?

  12%
• What is the rate of Arctic Sea ice decline per decade?

  ~ 13%
• What is the average sea level rise per year since 1993?

  3.3 mm/year
• How much excess heat from GHGs is absorbed by the oceans?

  90%
• What percentage of coral reefs are at risk with +1.5 degrees Celsius warming?

  70-90%
• How many species are at risk of extinction due to climate change?

  1 million species
• How many people are affected by desertification globally?

  Over 2 billion people
• By what percentage may crop yields fall by 2050 in some regions?

  10-25%
• How many people face water scarcity at least one month per year?

  4 billion people
• How many climate refugees are projected by 2050?

  200 million
• How do warmer oceans affect tropical cyclones?

  They fuel stronger storms
• What was the cost of Hurricane Harvey in 2017?

  $125 billion
• What was the rainfall amount dropped by Hurricane Harvey in Texas?

  60 inches (1.5 m)
• What caused Cape Town's 'Day 0' drought in 2018?

  Increased evaporation and disrupted rainfall
• What was the water reserve percentage during Cape Town's 'Day 0' drought?

  Less than 13.5%
• What are the causes of flooding related to climate change?

  Sea level rise and heavy precipitation
• What were the costs of the UK floods in 2015-2016?

  £1.3 billion
• How many homes were flooded during the 2015-2016 UK floods?

  Over 5,000 homes
• What factors influence vulnerability to climate change?

  Development level, geography, and governance
• What percentage of Bangladesh is low-lying floodplains?

  80%
• What is the projected land loss in Bangladesh with a 1 m sea level rise?

  17% land loss
• How many people could be displaced in Bangladesh due to sea level rise?

  30 million
• What was the death toll of Cyclone Sidr in 2007?

  3,500
• How many people were displaced by Cyclone Amphan in 2020?

  4.9 million
• What is the flood risk in the UK by 2070?

  Thames Barrier may be inadequate
• What fraction of properties in England are at risk of flooding?

  1 in 6 properties
• What is the goal of the Paris Agreement (2015)?

  Limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius
• What is the UK's target for net emissions by 2050?


  Net 0 emissions
• What was the percentage reduction of UK emissions from 1990-2019?

  44%
• What percentage of UK electricity came from renewables in 2022?

  Over 40%