Effects of Climate Change (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Notes

1.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

Climate Change affects the environment...

Environmental Effects of climate change

Environmental Effects

• Warmer temperatures are causing glaciers to shrink and ice sheets like Greenland to melt. This melted water goes into the sea, causing sea levels to rise.
• Sea ice is also shrinking, leading to the loss of polar habitats.
• Rising sea levels mean low-lying and coastal areas, like Bangladesh, will be flooded more often.
• Coral reefs are dying as sea temperatures rise (called Coral Bleaching).
• Precipitation (rain) patterns are changing. More warmth = more hot air rising = more rain.
• Some habitats are being destroyed, affecting biodiversity and causing extinctions.

And it affects humans too...

Effects on Humans

• Increased disease 📝e.g., skin cancer and heat stroke.
• Winter deaths decrease with milder winters.
• Crop yields affected by up to 12% in South America, but will increase in Northern Europe but will need more irrigation.
• Less ice in the Arctic Ocean increases shipping and extraction of oil and gas reserves.
• Droughts reduce food and water supply in sub-Saharan Africa. Water scarcity in South and Southeast UK.
• Increased flood risk: 70% of Asia is at risk of increased flooding.

Effects on Humans