UNIT 5 – EARTH AND SPACE Climate change


Earth’s temperature is rising much faster than ever before. This increase in temperature has a big influence on our climate. The dramatic climate change we see today is caused by human activity over the last 200 or so years.


Climate change has a number of effects on the Earth and its consequences will become more severe in the decades to come.


Rising sea levels and coastal flooding


Sea levels will rise due to the melting of glaciers (and other land ice and snow). This will lead to an increased risk of coastal flooding, which threatens populations and land.


: Fig. 40.6 Rising sea levels make coastal cities very vulnerable to flooding


Melting glaciers The melting of glaciers will threaten the existence of species such as polar bears, as their habitats are destroyed.


Extreme weather


As more heat is trapped close to the Earth’s surface, the air in the atmosphere gains more energy. This will lead to extreme weather events such as storms and floods, which will destroy homes. Large parts of the Earth will experience longer periods of hot and dry weather. These heatwaves will result in the loss of life and will disrupt water supply.


Reduced food and water


Extreme weather will reduce the amount of land and periods of the year suitable for farming. Along with the planet’s growing population, this will make food production a big challenge (see chapter 13). Freshwater supplies will also reduce. As food and water become less available, they will become more expensive. This will be a big challenge for societies and governments across the globe.


? TEST TUBE 5. Outline how the melting of glaciers may cause coastal flooding.


6. Explain how you think governments should prepare their citizens for potential food and water shortages in the next number of decades. Justify your answer.


390 Elements of Science


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