Climate change poses significant consequences for the (1) environment, (2) people, and (3) infrastructure, and may involve rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, impacts on ecosystems, human health, and infrastructure resilience. The following table provides a more detailed view.
| Environment | |
| Rising Temperatures & Extreme Weather: | Global warming leads to hotter temperatures, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and increased risk of droughts and wildfires. |
| Sea-Level Rise: | Melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. |
| Ocean Acidification & Warming: | The ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide, leading to acidification and warming, which harms marine life and ecosystems. |
| Ecosystem Disruption: | Changes in climate patterns can disrupt ecosystems, leading to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and shifts in species distribution. |
| Water Scarcity: | Droughts and changing precipitation patterns can lead to water scarcity, impacting agriculture, human populations, and ecosystems. |
| Human Impact: | |
| Health Risks: | Climate change exacerbates heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems due to increased air pollution from wildfires and changes in allergens, and increases the risk of infectious diseases. |
| Food Insecurity: | Changes in climate can impact crop yields and food production, leading to food shortages and malnutrition. |
| Displacement and Migration: | Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity can force people to migrate or displace them from their homes. |
| Conflict and Resource Competition: | Climate change can exacerbate existing conflicts and create new ones as populations compete for dwindling resources. |
| Poverty and Inequality: | Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing inequalities and poverty. |
| Infrastructure Impact: | |
| Damage and Disruptions: | Extreme weather events like floods, storms, and wildfires can damage infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power grids. |
| Increased Maintenance Costs: | Climate change can lead to increased maintenance and repair costs for infrastructure due to damage from extreme weather and changing conditions. |
| Disruption of Essential Services: | Damage to infrastructure can disrupt essential services like transportation, water supply, and electricity, impacting communities and economies. |
| Resilience Challenges: | Existing infrastructure is often not designed to withstand the impacts of climate change, posing challenges for resilience and adaptation. |
Adaptation
Adaptation to climate change involves actions and strategies aimed at reducing vulnerability to hazards and enhancing resilience before and after disasters. It also involves identifying medium and long-term adaptation needs, setting sectoral plans, and tracking adaptation progress. The goal is to transform a country into a climate-resilient nation that evaluates and reduces its physical, social, and economic vulnerability through timely and cost-effective measures. Read more on contemporary environmental issues.
Mitigation
In the climate change context Mitigation refers to actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. It involves identifying (mitigating) options to support a low carbon development pathway, such as energy efficient lighting improvements or implementing solar PV installations. It also involves activities to reduce GHG emissions, enhance carbon sinks, and support a transition to a low-carbon economy.