EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The Greenhouse Effect causes the atmosphere to retain heat

When sunlight reaches Earths surface, it can either be reflected back into space or absorbed by Earth. Once
absorbed, the planet releases some of the energy back into the atmosphere as heat (also called infrared radiation).
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) like water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) absorb energy, slowing
or preventing the loss of heat to space. In this way, GHGs act like a blanket, making Earth warmer than it would
otherwise be. This process is commonly known as the greenhouse effect.

CHANGES IN THE TEMPERATURE

The main impact of climate change is predicted to be an increase in global mean temperature over most land
surfaces. Temperature records over the last 100 years indicate a warming of surface temperatures, with the most
pronounced increases observed over the last 25 years. Climate models are fairly consistent in projecting the
continuation of this trend through the 21st century. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), temperatures are likely to increase by 2F to 11.5F, with a best estimate of 3.2F to 7.2F, by 2100, relative
to 19801990 temperatures.

CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVING THINGS

Our climate is changing, both naturally and due to human exploitation. There is already undeniable evidence that
animals, birds and plants are being affected by climate change and global warming in both their distribution and
behavior. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are severely reduced, climate change could cause a quarter of land
animals, birdlife and plants to become extinct. Climate variability and change affects birdlife and animals in a
number of ways; birds lay eggs earlier in the year than usual, plants bloom earlier and mammals are come out of
hibernation sooner. Distribution of animals is also affected; with many species moving closer to the poles as a
response to the rise in global temperatures. Birds are migrating and arriving at their nesting grounds earlier, and
the nesting grounds that they are moving to are not as far away as they used to be and in some countries the birds
dont even leave anymore, as the climate is suitable all year round.

Melting of Glaciers and Ice Sheets

One of the most pronounced effects of climate change has been melting of masses of ice around the world.
Glaciers and ice sheets are large, slow-moving assemblages of ice that cover about 10% of the worlds land
area and exist on every continent except Australia. They are the worlds largest reservoir of fresh water, holding
approximately 75%.

CLIMATE CHANGE ON PLANT BIODIVERSITY

The Earth has experienced a constantly changing climate in the time since plants first evolved. In comparison
to the present day, this history has seen Earth as cooler, warmer, drier and wetter, and (carbon dioxide)
concentrations have been both higher and lower. ] These changes have been reflected by constantly
shifting vegetation, for example forest communities dominating most areas in interglacial periods,
and herbaceous communities dominating during glacial periods. It has been shown that past climatic change
has been a major driver of the processes of speciation and extinction.] The best known example of this is
the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse which occurred 350 million years ago. This event decimated amphibian
populations and spurred on the evolution of reptiles.