Regional Impact Of Climate Change: UN Report

[RestoreGore]

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/40844/story.htm

INTERNATIONAL: March 14, 2007


Following are some of the projected regional impacts of global warming in a draft UN report by the world's top climate scientists. The report will be presented in Brussels on April 6 after a final review:


ASIA

Glacier melt in the Himalayas is "virtually certain" to bring more floods, rock avalanches, and disrupt water resources.

Coastal areas, especially heavily populated river delta regions in south, east and southeast Asia, are likely to be at greatest risk of increased flooding.

Projected rises in temperature and shifts in rains are likely to bring declines in crop productivity "that will increase the risk of hunger especially in developing countries".

AFRICA

"Large rises in numbers of people at risk of water scarcity" are likely because of shortages and rising demand for water. An "increased risk of hunger" is likely because of factors including cuts in the area suitable for farming and crop yields.

Projected sea level rise will threaten large cities. Coral reefs and mangroves will be further degraded. There may be lower fish catches from large lakes.

EUROPE

In the south "climate change is likely to have negative impacts by increasing risk to health due to more frequent heat waves, reducing water availability and hydropower, endangering crop production, and increasing the frequencies of wildfires."

In the north, climate change is likely to bring benefits such as less cold, increased crop yields, increased forest and fish productivity, and more hydropower potential.

By the 2020s, there is likely to be increased risk of flash floods throughout Europe. Coastal flooding is likely to threaten up to an extra 2.5 million people each year by 2080.

NORTH AMERICA

"Projected warming in the western mountains is very likely to cause reduced snowpack, more winter floods, reduced summer water flows, exacerbating competition for over-allocated water resources."

Forests will suffer more from pests, disease and fire.

"Cities with a history of heat waves are likely to suffer many more, with potential for adverse health impacts," it said.

"Population growth and development in coastal areas are very likely to increase risks and economic losses from sea level rise, severe weather and storm surge. Current adaptation is uneven and readiness for increased exposure is low," it said.

LATIN AMERICA

Tropical forest could be replaced by savannah in eastern Amazonia because of higher temperatures and less soil water. In northeast Brazil and northern Mexico, semi-arid vegetation is likely to be replaced by arid-land vegetation.

In drier areas, climate change could lead to desertification of farmland. Yields of some crops could fall, but soybean yields are likely to increase in temperate zones.

Sea temperature rises could damage Central American coral reefs and shift southeast Pacific fish stocks.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Water security problems are projected to increase in southern and eastern Australia and parts of eastern New Zealand. Further loss of biodiversity is likely in sites including the Great Barrier Reef and Alpine national parks.

Coastal communities in places such as the Cairns region or southeast Queensland, are very likely to face risks from sea level rises and more severe storms.

Some areas will benefit from up to about 1-2 Celsius (1.8-3.6 Fahrenheit) global temperature rise, such as New Zealand and parts of southern Australia. Benefits include longer growing seasons, less frost risk, reduced winter energy demand.

POLAR REGIONS

Likely projected losses in the thickness and extent of ice and changes in permafrost will have "detrimental effects on migratory birds, mammals and higher predators."
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If you notice, the one trend through all of this is the effect climate change is having and will have on water scarcity and availability in every region of this planet. The one resource we take for granted the most is the one resource we cannot live without. Wars over oil will be nothing compared to the wars over water should conditions persist and worsen based on the scenarios laid out by climate scientists and this UN report.

[RestoreGore]

1. water a precious resource

Ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water is salt water in oceans and seas. Of the 3 percent that is freshwater only 1 percent is available for drinking while the remaining 2% is frozen in the polar ice caps.

One percent. And we're wasting and polluting it.