Ecosystem Disruption and Biodiversity Loss:
- Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns disrupt the ecological balance, leading to habitat loss, species migrations, and the extinction of vulnerable species.
- Coral bleaching occurs due to warmer ocean temperatures, affecting entire marine ecosystems.
- Changes in plant phenology (timing of life cycle events) alter food sources for animals, disrupting predator-prey relationships.
Extreme Weather Events:
- Increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods cause widespread environmental damage.
- Extreme rainfall can lead to erosion, landslides, and flooding, damaging infrastructure and natural ecosystems.
- Droughts stress vegetation and reduce water availability for wildlife and humans.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion:
- Melting of glaciers and ice caps contributes to sea level rise, threatening coastal communities, habitats, and infrastructure.
- Coastal erosion leads to the loss of beaches and wetlands, which provide important ecosystem services such as flood protection and biodiversity support.
Ocean Acidification:
- Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean, lowering its pH and making it more acidic.
- Acidic conditions harm marine organisms, particularly those with calcium-based shells or skeletons, such as corals and shellfish.
Permafrost Degradation:
- Rising temperatures in the Arctic lead to the melting of permafrost, releasing large amounts of carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
- Permafrost degradation also causes ground instability, affecting infrastructure and ecosystems.
Air Pollution:
- Climate change intensifies extreme weather events, which can generate air pollution through wildfires, dust storms, and smoke.
- Air pollution can harm human health, damage vegetation, and contribute to respiratory problems.
Water Resources:
- Climate change alters precipitation patterns, leading to changes in water availability and quality.
- Droughts and floods disrupt water supplies, impacting agriculture, human populations, and ecosystems.
- Rising temperatures increase evaporation, reducing water availability in many regions.
Agriculture and Food Security:
- Changes in temperature and precipitation affect crop yields, increasing vulnerabilities in food production.
- Heat stress and water shortages can lead to crop failures and reduced food production.
- Extreme weather events can damage crops and infrastructure, further disrupting food supply chains.
Human Health Impacts:
- Climate change exacerbates extreme heat events, which can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and other health problems.
- Air pollution from wildfires and other sources can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
- Spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue) is facilitated by warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns.