Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of the existing pressures on its ecosystems and its low capacity to adapt. It is predicted that by 2020, between 75 and 250 million people will be affected by increasing water shortages. Agricultural production and fisheries resources are expected to decrease, reducing local food supplies and exacerbating malnutrition.
In Asia, climate change is projected to increase pressures on natural resources and the environment. Glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and rock avalanches, and affect water resources within the next two to three decades. It is expected that less fresh water will be available due to both climate change and population growth. Heavily populated coastal areas will be at greatest risk due to increased flooding. Crop yields could increase in East and Southeast Asia while they could decrease in Central and South Asia by the mid-21st century. The projected increase in floods and droughts is expected to increase the associated health problems and deaths due to diarrhoea.
In Australia and New Zealand a significant loss of biodiversity is projected to occur in some ecologically-rich sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef. Water security problems are projected to intensify and production from agriculture and forestry is expected to decline due to increased drought and fire. Ongoing coastal development and population growth are projected to exacerbate the risks resulting from sea-level rise and increases in the severity and frequency of storms and coastal flooding by 2050. The region has a substantial capacity to adapt because of its well-developed economy, scientific and technical capability, but natural systems can only adapt so far.
In Europe, wide ranging impacts of changes in current climate have been documented. Retreating glaciers, longer growing seasons, shifts in the geographic spread of species, and health impacts due to an unprecedented heat wave have already occurred. It is anticipated that nearly all European regions will be negatively affected, which will amplifying regional differences in natural resources and assets. Health risks due to heat waves are projected to increase in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe. Negative impacts will also include increased risk of inland and coastal floods and extensive species losses in mountain areas. In Northern Europe, climate change is initially projected to bring some benefits such as reduced demand for heating, but as climate change continues, its negative impacts are likely to outweigh its benefits.
In Latin America, warming and drier soils are projected to lead to a gradual replacement of tropical forest by savanna, and to salinization and desertification of agricultural lands. There is a risk of significant species extinction in many tropical areas. Changes in precipitation patterns and the disappearance of glaciers are projected to significantly affect water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation. Some countries have made efforts to adapt, through ecosystem conservation, use of early warning systems, however, the effectiveness of these efforts is outweighed by technological, financial, political and social constraints.
In North America, warming in western mountains is projected to cause more winter flooding and reduce summer flows. Moderate climate change in the coming decades is projected to increase overall yields by five to twenty percent on agricultural lands that rely of rainfall. Pests, diseases, and fires are expected to have increasing impacts on forests. Cities that currently suffer from heat waves are expected to see them increase in number, intensity and duration. The growth of populations in coastal areas increases vulnerability to tropical storms which could become more intense.
In the Polar Regions, the main effect foreseen is a reduction in thickness and extent of glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and permafrost, and associated impacts on infrastructures, ecosystems, and traditional ways of life. Beneficial impacts would include reduced heating costs and more navigable northern sea routes. Arctic human communities are already adapting to climate change, but their capacity to adapt is limited.
Small Islands are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, sea level rise and extreme events. They are at risk of coastal erosion, floods, storm surges, which could harm tourism and affect the livelihood of local communities. Climate change could also cause reduce water resources and increase the risk of invasion by non-native species.
source: Greenfacts.org
