Climate - Effects (2. Consequences of global climate change)

Question 1

How is the hydrosphere impacted by climate change?

Answer 1

• Glacial melt → rising sea levels (e.g., Greenland, Himalayas)
• Thermal expansion of oceans → additional sea level rise
• Ocean acidification due to CO₂ absorption → harms coral reefs and marine life
• Changes in precipitation → increased droughts in some areas, floods in others
• More extreme hydrological events: stronger storms, higher rainfall intensities

Question 2

What does the hydrosphere include?

Answer 2

All water on Earth — oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor.

Question 3

What does the rising sea-level threaten?

Answer 3

Sea level rise threatens low-lying nations (e.g. Maldives, Bangladesh)

More flooding, saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion

Question 4

Where are the three places where carbon is stored?

Answer 4

• Ice (e.g. trapped methane in permafrost)
• Oceans (largest carbon sink)
• Biosphere (trees, soil, peat bogs)

Question 5

What are the main sources for rising CO2 levels?

Answer 5

Warming oceans → less CO₂ absorption

Permafrost thaw → releases methane & CO₂

Deforestation → carbon from trees released, fewer sinks remain

Question 6

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 6

Question 7

How is the atmosphere affected by climate change?

Answer 7

Increases in:

Heatwaves → health impacts, wildfires

Storms (tropical cyclones) → coastal flooding

Droughts → reduced agriculture, water insecurity

Question 8

Phytoplankton

Question 9

How is the anthroposphere affected?

Answer 9

Yields change: increase in temperate areas, decrease in tropics

Limits of cultivation shift due to changing rainfall/temp patterns

Question 10

How is the biosphere affected by climate change?

Answer 10

Biome Shifts:
* Tundra → forest (northward shift)

• Coral reefs → bleaching, collapse
• Tropical forests → drier, fire-prone
• Soil erosion from drought/flooding

Habitat & Migration:
* Species migrate poleward or to higher elevations

• Changes in phenology (timing of natural events)
• Caribou and bird migrations disrupted

Question 11

How is climate change correlated with health hazards?

Answer 11

• Heatwaves → deaths, especially elderly
• Tropical diseases spread (e.g. malaria in East Africa, West Nile in Europe)
• Fungal and bacterial infections in warm, stagnant waters (e.g. Gulf of Mexico case)

Question 12

How many people are estimated to be displaced by climate change by 2050?

Answer 12

1.2B

Question 13

How are ocean transport routes affected by climate change?

Answer 13

Melting sea ice → new Arctic shipping lanes (e.g. Polar Silk Road)

Pros: shorter routes, economic gains

Cons: environmental risks, geopolitical conflict

Question 14

Why are all regions not equally impacted by climate change?

Answer 14

• Low-lying nations (e.g. Tuvalu) more at risk
• Arid zones suffer worsening droughts
• Wealthier nations have more adaptive capacity