Climate change causes, impacts, future projections

Climate change causes, impacts, future projections

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  Climate Change Causes,Impacts, Future Projections and Limitations Emmanuel Unaegbu
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   Human influenceon the climate system is confirmed.  Recent anthropogenic emissions of GHGs are the highest in history.  Recent climate changes have had widespread impacts on the ecosystems.  Observations since 1950 shows that: -Atmosphere and ocean have warmed; -Snow and ice amounts have reduced; -Sea level has risen; -Ocean pH has decreased by 0.1 since 1850. Observed Changes
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  Anthropogenic greenhouse gasesresponsible for current climate change has been driven largely by - Economic growth and - Population growth Cause of Climate Change
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  Changes in climatehave caused impacts on natural and human systems globally. Some observes impact include: - Changing precipitation; - Decreasing crop yields in many regions. - Hydrological systems alteration, affecting water resources quantity and quality -Species have shifted their geographic ranges, seasonal activities, migration patterns and abundance Impacts of Climate Change
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  Changes in manyextreme weather and climate events have been observed since about 1950. Some of these changes include - decrease in cold temperature extremes, - increase in warm temperature extremes - increase in extreme high sea levels - increase in frequency of heavy precipitation events in many regions Extreme Events
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  Continued emission ofgreenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system. It will increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. Future Climate Risks and Impacts
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  All emission scenariosproject increase in surface temperature causing more and longer lasting heat waves; Extreme precipitation events will become more intense and frequent in many regions; The ocean will continue to warm and acidify; and Global mean sea level to rise. Projected Impacts
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  Reduction in cropyield Reduction in livestock productivity Reduction in fish production Increase in vector borne diseases such as malaria Some Visible Impact
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  Climate change willexacerbate existing risks and create new risks for ecosystems. Projected risks will be are unevenly distributed affecting vulnerable population in countries especially developing countries. Risks of sudden or irreversible changes increase as the magnitude of the warming increases Future Risks
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  Limiting climate changewould require:  Substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – Mitigation  Building human system resilience to impacts – Adaptation  Sustainable Development Future Pathway
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   Effective institutionsand good governance;  Innovation and investments in environmentally sound technologies;  sustainable livelihoods;  Behavioral and lifestyle choices  Ethical dimensions,  Equity,  Value judgments,  Economic assessments and  Diverse perceptions and responses to risk and uncertainty Foundation of CC Decision Making
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   Climate changeexacerbates other threats to social and natural systems, placing additional burdens particularly on the poor.  Aligning climate policy with sustainable development requires attention to both adaptation and mitigation.  Delaying global mitigation actions may reduce options for climate-resilient pathways and adaptation in the future.  Climate action is about local differential action for global impact. Conclusion