Climate-Related Hazards Flashcards
Weather
Condition of the atmosphere comprised of air
temperature, air pressure, humidity, visibility,
wind and, precipitation
Climate
Average condition or weather over a long period
of time in a particular area
Climate Change
Process of altering the dynamics of the
ecosystem resulting in extreme weather
Causes of Climate Change
Human activities have contributed to the
warming of the climate system since the middle
of the 20th century. The greenhouse gasses
emitted from human activities are described by
the klima Climate Change Center as follows:
● Carbon dioxide (CO2) from forest activities as
well as machines and motors that use coal, and
natural gas
● Methane (CH4) primarily from agricultural
activities, waste dumps, coal beds, and leaks
from gas pipelines
● Nitrous oxide(N2O) from intensive agriculture
and animal waste handling
● Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) from individual
processes
Summary by Xenia
Global warming occurs when the Earth’s atmosphere
traps heat from the sun due to an increase in greenhouse
gases, primarily carbon dioxide, released by human
activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and
industrial processes. These gasses, like a blanket, wrap
around the Earth, preventing heat from being released
back into space, causing the Earth’s average surface
temperature to rise. This process is known as the
greenhouse effect, which is a natural phenomenon that
helps keep the Earth warm. However, the increased
levels of greenhouse gasses due to human activities
enhance this effect, leading to an unnatural and rapid
increase in the Earth’s temperature, resulting in global
warming
Impacts of global warming
Extreme weather conditions
Dry season become drier
while wet season become
wetter
Stronger winds will be
felt along with more
erratic rainfall pattern
Typhoon and storms will
become more frequent
and intense
Heat and cold waves will
be rampant
Degraded air quality due
to increased GHGs
Most of the emission are
produced by the energy
and transport sector
activities
It affects the health of
people
It will also affect the
cleanliness of the
environment
Altered forests’
productivity and species
composition
The current dominant
species may not survive
while others may
proliferate
The geographic range of
forest trees may also shift
Forest health will be
affected
Unproductive agriculture
Crop yield will be
affected by droughts and
floods
Deteriorated water
resources
Water supply will be
affected when sea-water
intrusion occurs due to
the rising sea levels
These will be a reduction
of the amount of potable
water.
These will induce
competition for water
resources among
communities.
Disrupted natural
ecosystems
Rising sea surface
temperature result in
coral bleaching or death
of coral reefs
This will affect fisheries
yield and other marine
interactions.
Other natural ecosystems
such as the mangrove
areas, seagrass beds,
wetlands, and others will
also be disrupted by the
environment.
Submerged coastal areas
A warmer climate
triggers the melting of ice
glaciers and ice caps, and
the thermal expansion of
the ocean resulting in rise
in sea levels.
The accelerated rise in
sea-level will exacerbate
beach erosion, flooding
of coast lands, and the
destruction of coastal
infrastructure
Weakened human health
Incidence of respiratory
diseases due to pollutants
and GHGs will increase
and affect human health
and welfare.
Social and Economic impact of climate change
The cost of adapting coastal areas to rising sea
levels
● Loss of the capacity to work due to heat
● More wars to gain access to limited resources
● Fresh water will be in short supply in some areas
● Relocation of whole towns
● Shrinking productivity of harvests
● Price of basic foodstuffs and consumer goods
will rise
● Diseases will spread due to higher temperatures
● Extreme meteorological phenomena will cause
widespread poverty
