Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
increase of production and demands will increase CO
2
emission further due to greater use of energy for trans-
portation (Smith et al., 2007a).
1.4
Climate change impacts
Climate change will have a profound impact on human and
ecosystems during the coming decades through variations in
global average temperature and rainfall (Anonymous 2001a,
d,e). The temperature of the temperate and polar regions will
increase (Wittwer, 1990), decreasing the snowing period
(Seino, 1995); thereby increasing the length and intensity of
growing periods (Wittwer, 1980; Decker et al., 1985) and
growing degree units (Rosenzweig, 1985). The consequences
include melting glaciers, sinking of oceans, more precipitation,
more and more extreme and unpredicted weather events, shift-
ing seasons, increasing incidences and resurgence of pests,
weeds and diseases (Chakravarty and Mallick, 2003; Goulder
and Pizer, 2006; Ninan and Bedamatta, 2012). Tropical coun-
tries are likely to be affected more than the countries in the
temperate regions (Anonymous, 2007a,b). Climate change
poses unprecedented challenges to human society and ecosys-
tems in the twenty-first century, particularly in the developing
nation in the tropics (Parry, 1990; Parry et al., 1992, 2004,
2005; McCarthy et al., 2001). The accelerating pace of climate
change combined with global population and income growth
threatens food security (Nelson et al., 2009). It will also affect
livelihoods and human well-being (Ninan and Bedamatta,
2012). Populations in the developing world which are already
vulnerable and food insecure are likely to be more seriously
affected.
The impact of climate change will persist. This will affect
the basic elements of life around the world such as access to
water, food production, healthcare and the environment (Ninan
and Bedamatta, 2012). Millions of people could suffer from
hunger, water shortage and coastal flooding as the world gets
warmer. The overall costs and risks of climate change are
expected to be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global GDP
each year, if we do not act now. If a wider range of risks is taken
into account, the estimated damage could rise to 20% of GDP
or more (Stern, 2006, 2007). There are certain regions, sec-
tors, ecosystems and social groups which will be affected the
most by climate change and the consequences of economic glo-
balisation. Managing the impact of climate change, therefore,
