Impacts of Climate Change

Question 1

increased temperatures: melting sea ice/permafrost

Answer 1

• methane is released by melting permafrost, worsening the greenhouse effect
• polar bears dying due to loss of habitat for hunting

Question 2

increased temperatures: mosquitos

Answer 2

• mosquitos can survive in areas that were previously malaria free, eg. Italy
• this means more people contract diseases, leading to less of a fit workforce which will negatively impact the economy

Question 3

heatwaves: wildfires

Answer 3

• heatwaves cause vegetation to become very dry, which increases the risk of wildfires, eg. Australia
• this results in loss of habitat

Question 4

heatwaves: droughts

Answer 4

• heatwaves trigger droughts, eg. Spain
• this leads to lower crop yield, causing food shortages and eventually leading to famine

Question 5

flooding: rising sea level

Answer 5

• rising sea level floods low lying countries, eg. Bangladesh
• this can lead to forced migration, which causes overcrowding and stress on resources in areas people migrate to
• this potentially leads to conflict between groups

Question 6

flooding: flooding by rivers

Answer 6

• eg. river Ganges in India
• damage to infrastructure by flooding costs a lot to repair
• emergency services may be unable to reach certain areas

Question 7

increased sea temperatures: coral reefs

Answer 7

• coral bleaching of reefs like the Great Barrier reef will reduce tourism to Australia
• this impacts the economy
• also results in a loss of habitat for sea life, leading to potential extinction

Question 8

snow & glaciers melting and changing weather

Answer 8

• less snowfall and the melting of glaciers in ski areas like the Alps reduces tourism
• impacts the economy and causes a loss of jobs