Local and global impacts of climate change

Question 1

sea levels rising

Answer 1

sea levels rising causes thermal expansion as well as the melting of the caps which causes additional water to enter the oceans.

Low lying regions will experience flooding, for example, Bangladesh. This leads to the large-scale displacement of people and the loss of farmland and destruction of properties.

Climate change will move to the countries with higher land such as the Maldives which may put pressure on resources such as housing, food supplies and energy.

Question 2

higher winter temperatures

Answer 2

Higher temperatures in winter means that there will be less snow at ski centres, which could reduce tourism. This could cause losses in skiing areas such as the Highlands.

Scottish plants and animals may struggle to survive whilst non-native species thrive such as the Scottish mountain hare who is more exposed to predators.

Question 3

higher summer temperatures

Answer 3

Higher temperatures in summer mean more frequent and intense heatwaves which can cause sunstroke.

This can damage health and put more pressure on the NHS. Also, more tropical diseases (eg. malaria) could spread towards the UK.

Question 4

reduced rainfall

Answer 4

due to reduced rainfall, there will be an increase in droughts leading to lowered food supplies and crop failure