Climate Change as a Global Issue (OCR GCSE Geography B)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
Sea Level Rise
Global sea level rise is one impact of climate change
The sea level has risen between 20-23 cm since 1880
Each year the sea rises another 3.2mm
It is estimated that 410 million people will be at risk from sea level rise by 2100
Why is climate change making sea levels rise?
There are three reasons that climate change is leading to sea level rise:
Thermal expansion - water expands when warm increasing the volume of water in the seas and oceans
Melting glaciers - glaciers melt adding water to the seas and oceans
Melting ice sheets - ice in the Arctic and Antarctic is melting adding water to the seas and oceans
Impacts of sea level rise?
There are social, environmental, and economic impacts of sea level rise
Social | Environmental | Economic |
|---|---|---|
Displacement of people from their homes and communities Food and water supplies threatened by salt intrusion Food shortages lead to malnutrition and famine | Destruction of ecosystems including coral reefs and mangroves Ocean acidification Increased coastal erosion Changing patterns of animal migration and behaviour | The cost of building flood defences Relocation of people and building of new homes is expensive Loss of jobs Reduction in tourism due to the impact on coastal resorts |
Some areas, such as the Maldives are more at risk
Over 80% of its islands are less than 1m above sea level
It has been forecast that if sea levels continue to rise the islands will be uninhabitable by 2050
The Maldives government has taken actions including:
The construction of an artificial island, Hulhumalé, northeast of the capital, Malé
Flood walls and defences constructed around islands
Extreme Weather Events
Climate change can lead to extreme weather and erratic weather patterns
Warmer sea/ocean temperatures increase the amount of evaporation leading to more frequent and severe storms
Droughts and heatwaves are becoming more common due to increasing average global temperatures
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that a 1.5° increase in average global temperature will make:
One in 50 - year heatwaves 8.5x more likely
One in 10 - year droughts 2x more likely
One in 10 - year storms 1.5x more likely
IMAGE - GRAPH
Extreme weather events including flooding and drought are forcing people to move
The UN states that an annual average of 21.5 million people were displaced by weather-related events between 2008-2016
Estimates suggest this could rise to a total of 1.2 billion people displaced by 2050
Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Sea Level Rise
Social | Environmental | Economic |
|---|---|---|
Displacement of people from their homes and communities Food and water supplies threatened by flooding and drought Crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to reduce by over 20% Food shortages lead to malnutrition and famine Lack of freshwater due to reduced precipitation Spread of disease due to higher temperatures and flooding | Destruction of ecosystems
Increased water temperatures in oceans and seas Changing patterns of animal migration, hibernation, and behaviour Increased wildfires due to drier conditions Reduced biodiversity due to loss of plant and animal species | Relocation of people and building of new homes is expensive Loss of jobs Repair of buildings and infrastructure expensive Loss of crops reduces farmer's income and exports Decline in tourism in some areas:
|
Weather Patterns in the UK
Climate change is impacting on UK weather patterns and events
All the ten warmest years on record in the UK have occurred in the last 20 years
Six of the ten wettest years on record have occurred in the last 25 years
It is predicted that by 2050 the UK will have:
Higher average temperatures. In the south-east, this may be between 2-2.5° higher
Days reaching over 40° are predicted to be 10 times more likely
Wetter winters, particularly in the east of the country, over 20% wetter in some areas
Drier summers, with much of the UK experiencing a 20-30% decrease in precipitation
There are a range of impacts resulting from the changes in climate as outlined in the table below
Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Changing Weather Patterns
Social | Environmental | Economic |
|---|---|---|
Increased deaths due to extreme heat
People with respiratory and heart conditions will be particularly affected There will be fewer deaths from cold Hosepipe bans may increase due to water shortages | Ecosystems may be affected by drought, flooding, and wildfires Increase in wildfires due to drier conditions in summer Changes in species in the UK and the water around the UK due to higher temperatures | Tourism may increase due to warmer, drier climate in summer Growing seasons will be longer; this may increase income for farmers and exports New types of crops can be introduced - citrus fruits, olives Less water available for irrigation and power stations |
Worked Example
Examine the possible economic impacts of climate change on the UK
(6 marks)
Answers could include the following areas:
UK Industry - increases/decreases in tourism
Agriculture
Energy Provision
Answer
Climate change will cause UK temperatures to rise meaning longer, hotter summers and warmer, wetter winters. This could have both a positive and negative impact on tourism in the UK. More people might be attracted to the beaches in the South of England if they are hotter, especially domestic tourists, boosting the economy in these towns. The opposite might be true in the North of Scotland where ski resorts might have to close if there is no snow putting people out of business.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember there may be overlap between social, economic and environmental impacts. For example, the loss of homes is both a social and economic impact. The key in the exam is to ensure that you focus your answer on the area the question is asking for. The social impact of the loss of homes is that people will become homeless, whereas the economic impact is the cost of rebuilding.
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