What are the effects of climate change?

The negative impacts of global warming on the UK include:

• rising sea levels leading to the inundation of low-lying coastal areas
• ski resorts in Scotland could close
• more extreme weather causing floods and drought
• increased pressure on water supplies during hotter summers

There are some potential benefits to climate change; however, when compared to the negative impacts, these are very limited, including:

• winter heating costs may reduce as winters become milder
• more people choosing to holiday in the UK, which will support economic growth
• new crops such as oranges, grapes and peaches will be grown in the UK

On a broader scale, climate change will bring both positive and negative impacts worldwide. The negative global effects include:

• sea-level rise affecting 80 million people
• tropical storms will become more frequent and stronger as the temperature of the ocean in the tropics becomes warmer
• there will be an increase in extinction as ecosystems are affected by the changing climate
• tropical diseases, such as malaria, will increase
• changes in temperature will lead to drought in some areas
• greenhouse gases will be released from land that is permafrost (frozen) thawing, e.g. Arctic Tundra

There are some potential global benefits to climate change. However, when compared to the negative impacts, these are very limited, including:

• a decrease in energy consumption as the climate becomes warmer
• the growing season will increase in some areas leading to more crops being grown
• people in previously frozen regions will be able to grow crops, e.g. Alaska

Humans can manage the effects of climate change through adaptation and mitigation.