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Effects of Climate Change - Coggle Diagram
Effects of Climate Change
Effects on Agriculture
Climate change affects the production of crops, and also the types of crops that are grown in certain areas. It does this by affecting agricultural inputs like water for irrigation, and amounts of solar radiation that affect the growth of plants.
Climate change causes an unreliable production of crops. Areas which have warmer temperatures due to climate change will experience a rise in production, whereas some areas will suffer from droughts, leading to a significant decline in production.
Effect on UK's water resources
Climate change is causing warmer climates, and lack of access to water is a bigger concern. Competition for water resources is an issue, among people and also among countries. Global warming leads to a reduction in the availability of water, and hydropower potential. It also changes the seasonal flow of rivers in regions supplied by melting water from major mountain ranges.
According to a recent risk assessment on climate change done by the government, heavy downpours caused by floods are a major problem that the UK will face. It will also put stress on water resources, biodiversity and natural habitats.
Heavy rainfall and increasingly extreme winters can create the risk of flash flooding, river flooding and a rise in the level of seawater.
Due to declining summer river flows, reduced groundwater replenishment and an increased risk of drought, the UK could face the threat to its water security and supply.
Effects on sea levels
Sea level rise is caused by thermal expansion and melting ice sheets. Warming seas will fuel more intense tropical storms also.
Effect on UK
Positives
Crops like peaches and oranges can now be grown in the UK.
Better transportation system & fewer accidents due to less extreme winters which hinder transport activities.
Negatives
Rise in sea level will significantly impact those living in coastal areas. Some coastal areas are already experiencing extreme storms, floods and coastal erosion due to the rise in sea level. This causes destruction of a lot of the economy for people living in these areas. Rise in sea level will also affect access to quality goods and services.
Effect on Ecosystem & Biodiversity
Climate change has the potential to create enormous biodiversity loss. According to the WWF, many species won't be able to survive the rising temperatures and one-fifth of the world's most vulnerable natural regions may be facing a catastrophic loss of species.
Marine life will be severely impacted by an increase in sea temperature and changes in ocean circulation, but also by ocean acidification as the concentration of carbon dioxide dissolved in oceanic water will rise.
Effects on health
A warmer and more unstable climate will lead to higher levels of some air pollutants, and an increased transfer of diseases through dirty water and contaminated food.
Flooding creates a suitable environment for disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes.
Greenhouse gases have led to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects us from the harmful sun radiations. Depletion of this layer leads to an increase in skin cancer etc.