Emerging threats from climate change

Global temperatures are expected to continue rising, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, which can have dire health consequences and exacerbate droughts.

An increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, storms, floods, and droughts, is likely, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, economies, and communities.

Continued sea-level rise could inundate coastal areas and islands, displacing millions of people and causing extensive economic damage.

Oceans will continue to acidify, posing a threat to marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and the species that depend on them. Fisheries and the livelihoods they support may also be at risk.

Many regions may face significant water shortages due to reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and melting glaciers, impacting agriculture, human consumption, and energy production.

Crop yields are expected to decline in many regions, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, threatening food security and increasing the risk of hunger and malnutrition.

The spread of diseases, particularly those transmitted by insects like mosquitoes (e.g., malaria and dengue fever), could increase with warmer temperatures. Health systems may be strained by the increased burden of heat-related illnesses and other climate-sensitive conditions.

Certain ecosystems, such as the Arctic tundra, mangroves, and coral reefs, are at risk of collapse due to climate-related stresses.

The rate of species extinctions is expected to increase, with many species unable to adapt to the rapid changes in climate, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

The economic costs of climate change are projected to rise, including the costs of damage from extreme weather events, loss of productivity, and the need for adaptation and mitigation measures.

Resource scarcity, particularly water and food, could lead to increased geopolitical tensions and conflicts, as well as internal and cross-border migration.

There may be tipping points beyond which certain changes become irreversible, such as the melting of major ice sheets or the die-off of rainforests, with long-term consequences for global climate patterns.

Warming could trigger feedback mechanisms, such as the release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost or decreased albedo from melting ice, which could accelerate climate change.

Many traditional livelihoods, particularly those closely tied to natural resources, may no longer be viable, leading to economic and cultural losses.

The impacts of climate change are expected to hit the poorest and most vulnerable communities the hardest, exacerbating inequality and potentially leading to social unrest.