In late 2018 the scientific journal Nature Climate Change analyzed the possibility of future weather events taking place by the year 2100. Certain regions, such as Central and South America, could experience up to six related climate crises all at once.
Natural disasters often have a domino effect. For example, California recently experienced several months of intense heat and drought. These conditions caused wildfires to start, which consequently sent clouds of smoke over nearby cities. Cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles experienced a noticeable decline in air quality from the smoke.
According to Nature Climate Change, all of Earth will be exposed to at least three extreme weather events if carbon dioxide emissions are not dramatically reduced within the next few decades. This conclusion was drawn from research presented in over 3,000 publications.
While countries in all parts of the world are projected to experience similar climate changes, developing countries will be most at risk for the greatest loss of life due to differences in adaptive capacity. Among the catastrophes predicted are:
– Heat waves
Multiple Climate Disasters Predicted in the Next Century
– Excessive rain – Forest fires – Rising sea levels – Changes in natural soil cover – Changes in ocean chemistry – Drought
There are six facets of human life that are expected to be affected by the climate events. These include:
1) Health impacts
Famine-related deaths are predicted as well as deaths by drowning in flooded areas. The increased precipitation will also elevate disease rates, including augmenting the number of people who contract malaria, diarrhea, and cholera.
2) Food
Food availability will be impacted including direct losses due to the predicted, storms, droughts, and fires. Indirect losses will be incurred through changes in natural land cover and soil composition such as decreased nutrient content.
3) Water
Water will be contaminated via wildfire, resulting in high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfate.
4) Infrastructure
The electricity sector will be impacted along with transportation services.
Land and air transportation could experience disruptions that impact human travel.
5) Economy
Economic losses predicted include lower labor productivity, reduced employment, damage to property, and reduction in the availability of energy resources.
6) Security
Humans will experience displacement and increased conflicts and violence due to shortages of agricultural land. Studies have already shown that the likelihood of civil conflict is almost twice as high during periods of El Niño compared to La Niña.
Conclusion
On-going climate change continues to represent a threat to humanity. The risk will not decrease if greenhouse gas emissions are not dramatically reduced in the near future.
Do you believe governments and communities will be able to mitigate these climate disasters around the world? What do you think can be done to reduce these risks? Leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts.
Atlanta, December 04, 2018
Original text by our partner “Letras Ambientais”.
https://letrasambientais.com.br/posts/regioes-do-planeta-terao-ate-seis-desastres-climaticos-simultaneos-ate-2100