The Effect of Global Environmental Change on Climate and Sea Level

Its Quater! Back again to discuss Global Environmental Change!

We previously defined environmental change as a change in the environment caused primarily by human influences and natural ecological processes. This time we will be discussing these changes on a wider scale.

Global environmental change affects various factors such as climate, sea level, geomorphology and the biosphere. Today we will be focusing on climate and the sea level.

Global Environmental Change and Climate.

The main effect of global environmental change on the world's climate is climate change. Simply put, human influences such as greenhouse gas emissions and natural ecological processes such as a natural release of carbon causes various changes to the world's weather and climate systems.

• One of the most prominent factors of climate change is global warming.

Diagram showing ten indicators of global warming.

• Other factors include extreme weather events like unpredictable rainfall and droughts, as well as shifting wildlife populations and habitats, such as migration or extinction of certain species due to temperature changes.

Global Environmental Change and Sea Levels.

As seen in the diagram above, the impact of global environmental change on global sea levels is as a result of climate changes. This sea level rise is mainly a result of:

• Melting glaciers and ice sheets.
• The expansion of sea water as it warms. 

Diagram showing the causes of sea level change.

 

• From the diagram above we can see that other factors also influence sea level rise such as changes in water storage on land e.g., lakes.

 So WHY is this important?

This is important because, while sea level rise is a result of climate change, it also has its own effects.

Many people live along the coast. These people will be affected by sea level rise in ways such as:

• Flooding e.g., hightide flooding.
• Infrastructural damage due to shoreline erosion.
• Hazards from storms e.g., storm surges.
• Damage to coastal ecosystems e.g., decrease fisheries industry due to reduced fish stock.
• Loss of food sources due to migration or extinction of species.

In conclusion:

Chart showing the relationship between Global Environmental Change, Climate and Sea Level Rise.

From the Chart above:

• The burning of fossil fuels by humans + the natural decomposition of vegetation releases carbon dioxide which causes the earth's temperature to increase. 

• Warm temperatures then cause ice to melt leading to sea level rise which finally causes flooding which affects humans and their property.

That's all for Global Environmental Change and its effect on Climate and Sea Levels!

~~See you next time!