DIRECT CONSEQUENCES ↓
Temperature rise
“In 2020 temperatures on Earth have reached a level that rose 1,2°C above pre-industrial levels.”
The increase in temperature is caused by the presence of greenhouse gases, which create a layer in the atmosphere. Sunlight and heat can penetrate this layer, but when it reflects off the Earth's surface, the heat becomes trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in a rise in temperatures.
Extreme weather conditions
“When the temperature rise cannot be limited to 1,5°C, the average drought length can increase up to 4 months and lead to around 388m people experiencing water scarcity.”
Studies indicate that temperature increases have a direct impact on the occurrence and intensity of extreme weather event, such as heatwaves, rainfall, and drought. These events can have significant consequences, such as wildfires, famines, and flooding.
Sea level rise
“Sea levels have risen at the fastest pace since the last 3000 years.”
The ocean plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of excessive heat caused by global temperature rise. However, this limit has been surpassed, causing the Earth and oceans to heat up faster. This is causing Arctic ice, glaciers and ice sheets to melt, which affects sea levels. These rising sea levels will lead to flooding, shoreline erosion, and increased risks from storms.
Acidification of seawater
“The acidity of the oceans has increased by 26% since 1850. This rate is roughly 10 times faster than any time in the last 55 million years.”
The oceans play a crucial role in absorbing a significant amount of the CO2 that is produced from human activities. However, this absorption of CO2 has resulted in a change in the chemical makeup of the ocean water. As CO2 dissolves in water, the water's acidity level increases, leading to a reduction in available oxygen and creating pressure on the survival of marine creatures.
The pace of climate change in recent times has worsened already existing environmental issues. These issues are caused by a combination of direct and indirect effects such as changes in land use, increased pollution, and decreasing biodiversity. For five major and interconnected areas (water, ecosystems, food, health and security), current change and future scenarios consistently point to significant and increasing risks during the coming decades.