Effects of Climate Change

• Effects of Climate Change - Too Much or Too Little Rainfall


  • fertile lands receive too little rain and become barren or turn into desserts, affecting the growth of crops and production of food
  • Some places may experience frequent floods because of too much rain
• Effects of Climate Change - Heat waves


  • longer and more intense heat waves can cause forest fires and loss of lives, destroying ecosystems
• Effects of Climate Change - Tropical Storms


  • warmer ocean waters bring strong winds and high tides
  • tropical storms can harm lives and destroy property, they can also damage farmland due to the deposition of salt by ocean water
• Effects of Climate Change - Ocean Warming and Acidification


  • Marine biodiversity is reduced when ocean water of higher temperatures causes coral reefs to bleach and die
  • warmer ocean water absorbs more carbon dioxide and forms acidified water. Acidified water removes carbonate minerals and causes the shells of marine organisms such as crustaceans to dissolve
• Effects of Climate Change - Melting of Glaciers and Polar Ice Caps


  • Higher average global temperatures cause glacier and polar Caps to melt at a faster rate, resulting in rising seawater levels, which lead to flooding of low-lying coastal areas
  • Ocean currents are disrupted by the addition of the large amount of fresh water due to the melting of polar ice caps, thus worsening climate change