Climate change is a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns. Effects of climate change are consequences of unchecked pollution caused by carbon emissions resulting from human activity. Burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil for energy purposes. The overall effect is global warming. Climate change impacts social, ecosystem and economic effects to the environment. Climate change is a serious reason for concern, because it affects every person living on the planet.

Climate change has brought about severe and possibly permanent social effects to human beings. Social impacts can be both negative and positive. In some areas, food production has improved. Negative effects are overwhelming compared to the positives ones. Food security will be compromised due to adverse climatic condition. There will be reduced yields from crops. Higher temperatures affect agriculture in a big way. It reduces yields of desirable crops while encouraging weeds and pest proliferation. Livestock yields will also decrease due to higher temperatures and drought related stress. Population’s health is at a risk due to climate change. Some existing health threats will intensify and new health threats will emerge. They include increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, injuries and premature deaths. Spread of diseases such as those caused by polluted air and water will be on the rise.

Climate change affects forests which are a vital resources since they soak up carbon dioxide the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. They hence help to regulate the world’s climate. They are also a home to a diverse array of plants and animal species. Unfavorable climatic conditions are pushing to the extinction of those species that cannot adapt. Global warming triggers deforestation. This is a result of trees drying up. These trees emit their stores of carbon dioxide, adding to the atmospheric green-house gas thus leading to more global warming. Forests and vegetation cover loss causes soil erosion, landslides in mountainous areas and loss of agricultural land. Global warming has also lead to oceans becoming warmer, threatening aquatic life. Thermal expansion is caused by increased temperature. It results to expansion of sea water as it heats up. Rise in sea water is also caused by additional water flowing into the oceans from ice that melts on land. Effects of rising sea level include high tides and storms surges which lead to flooding.

World’s economy is affected by changes in climate. Countries are incurring losses to carry out extensive repairs of property and infrastructure. Sea-level rise, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms causes damages to roads, bridges railways, airports, power lines, dams and homes. It also causes loss of productivity, especially daily life related to climate change lead to loss of work and school days. This also affects trade, transportation, agriculture and tourism. Severe rainfall and snowstorms can delay planting and harvesting, cause power outages, snarl traffic, delay air travel and otherwise makes it difficult for people to go about their daily business. Adverse climatic condition increases the number of climate refugees. Mass movement of people and social disruption lead to higher levels of poverty since refugees incur coping cost.

The world’s climate is changing, and the changes will have an enormous impact on planet’s people and ecosystems. Human beings are the main contributors of climate change. Out of their activities green house gas is generated leading to more global warming. If we don’t do anything about it our social, economic and ecosystem environment will change.

References

Robert Mendelsohn & James. E. Neumann, (2004).The impact of climate change on the united states Economy, 24, 245 – 269.

Nelson, Gerald C.,Rosegrant, Mark W., Koo, Jawoo. (2009).Impact on Agriculture and Cost of Adaptation, 23, 5628- 6322.