Problem
Short-term climatic change
Nature:
Evidence of short term fluctuations in the global climate (on the scale of 100-200 years) indicates that a major sustained shift in climate began in 1950 and is likely to persist for the rest of the century. This will affect different regions in different ways. Winters in the northern temperate zones will tend to be much more severe, whereas arid and semi-arid zones will tend to be much drier. These changes are a consequence of changing wind patterns, although it is expected that the variability will increase. So while the general trend is towards colder, drier weather, the changes from year to year may be even sharper than before. These changes will considerably aggravate the problems of drought and desertification in the arid zones and will aggravate transportation and flooding problems in temperate zones. Ocean temperature changes are both causes and effects of meteorological changes. Changes in atmospheric climate may be accompanied by temperature anomalies in the seas. The consequences to this may be reduction of fish catches in some areas by 80%. Broader Problems:
Global warmingAgricultural risksInhospitable climateEnvironmental stress of natural systems Narrower Problems:
Human-caused climate changeDisruption to climate from El NiñoDisruption to climate from La Niña Related Problems:
Medium-term cyclic variations in solar radiant energyVulnerability to long-term climate cycles Aggravates:
FloodsDroughtGlobal crisisRecurring mass extinctions of speciesBiodiversity loss through rapid environmental changeFood insecurity Subject(s):
Climatology → Climatology Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST