Climate change may lead to new problems of mankind

Climate change, i.e. the global warming
connected with the greenhouse effect,
is likely to have a significant impact on the global environment

I n general, the faster the climate changes, the greater will be the risk of damage. The mean sea level is expected to rise 9-88 cm by the year 2100, causing flooding of low-lying areas and other damage. Other effects could include an increase in global precipitation and changes in the severity or frequency of extreme events. Climatic zones could shift poleward and vertically, disrupting forests, deserts, rangelands, and other unmanaged ecosystems. As a result, many will decline or fragment, and individual species could become extinct.

Human society will face new risks and pressures. Food security is unlikely to be threatened at the global level, but some regions are likely to experience food shortages and hunger. Water resources will be affected as precipitation and evaporation patterns change around the world. Physical infrastructure will be damaged, particularly by sea-level rise and by extreme weather events. Economic activities, human settlements, and human health will experience many direct and indirect effects. The poor and disadvantaged are the most vulnerable to the negative consequences of climate change.

People and ecosystems will need to adapt to future climatic regimes. Past and current emissions have already committed the earth to some degree of climate change in the 21st century. Adapting to these effects will require a good understanding of socio-economic and natural systems, their sensitivity to climate change, and their inherent ability to adapt. Fortunately, many strategies are available for adapting to the expected effects of climate change.