Human basic needs, such as human dignity, life, liberty, property, and pursuit of happiness, are threatened by climate change. These threats include increases in temperature, sea level rise, shifts in precipitation patterns, and more frequent or severe extreme events. Changes in climate may impact humans directly, through heat stress, drought, storms, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other weather extremes, and indirectly, through loss of habitat, damage to infrastructure, displacement of communities, and conflicts over access to essential resources. Some groups of people are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including the elderly, the infirmed, children, and pregnant women, indigenous peoples, and low-income households. Climate change may also challenge the availability of vital natural resources, affecting water supply and food security.
Impacts on Basic Needs
Climate change is expected to affect basic needs across the globe. This includes changes in agricultural production and access to clean drinking water and sanitation. In some regions, there will be increases in temperature and precipitation, while others will see decreases. These effects will vary by region, season, and type of crop grown. For example, crops in warmer climates will generally grow faster, but require more water. Crops in cooler climates will typically grow slower, but require less water.
Changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change could lead to increased frequency and severity of droughts. Drought can have a negative effect on agriculture, which is already facing challenges from increasing demand for food and water. The United Nations estimates that between 2000 and 2050, global population growth and economic development will increase demands for water by 50 percent. By 2025, it is estimated that 2 billion people will live in areas with chronic water shortages. Water scarcity has been identified as one of the greatest risks to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, health, education, gender equality, and environmental protection.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that average temperatures around the world will continue to rise until at least 2100. It is likely that this warming trend will continue even after 2100, although the rate of warming will slow down. Sea levels are predicted to rise by about 1 meter by 2100, and up to 3 meters by 2300. As oceans warm, they expand, causing sea levels to rise.
Agriculture
The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report states that “climate change is projected to reduce yields of major staple crops worldwide, especially maize, wheat, rice, soybeans, and potatoes.” The report notes that the yield losses associated with higher temperatures are greater than those caused by lower rainfall. However, the report does not provide specific numbers regarding how much these yields would decrease.
In addition to the direct effects of climate change on agricultural productivity, the IPCC reports that climate change will cause an increase in the number and intensity of tropical cyclones, leading to flooding and erosion.
Water Supply and Sanitation
According to the World Health Organization, climate change poses significant threats to public health. One of the most important ways that climate change affects public health is through its impact on water supplies. According to the WHO, climate change threatens to disrupt the balance between available fresh water and the amount of water used by humans and animals. This disruption may result in reduced availability of safe drinking water, or contamination of surface waters.
Climate change also affects human health indirectly through its impacts on air quality. Air pollution causes approximately 7 million deaths per year globally. A study published in Nature Climate Change found that if greenhouse gas emissions were reduced to pre-industrial levels, the number of premature deaths from air pollution would drop by 20%.
Health Effects of Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events such as floods, storms, heat waves, and drought pose serious threats to human life and property. In 2012, extreme weather events cost $215 billion in damages. These costs include damage to buildings, transportation systems, energy infrastructure, and agriculture.
Heat Waves
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 stations across the globe and found that there was a statistically significant upward trend in the occurrence of heat waves since 1980. They estimate that the frequency of heat waves will double by mid-century.
Floods
A 2011 report by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods have increased in both frequency and severity. NOAA’s analysis of historical records shows that the number of days with heavy precipitation has increased by 50% since 1950. Flooding has become more common during spring and summer months.
Drought
A 2007 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that droughts are expected to be one of the main consequences of global warming. Droughts can lead to crop failures, which could threaten food security.
Sea Level Rise
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that sea level rise is likely to continue for centuries after 2100. Sea level rise is already occurring at a rate of about 3 millimeters per year. If this rate continues, it will raise global average sea level by 0.6 meters by the end of the century.
The IPCC also states that sea level rise will exacerbate coastal hazards, including storm surges and tsunamis. Storm surges occur when high winds push ocean water inland. Tsunamis are large waves caused by underwater earthquakes.
Tropical Cyclone Activity
In May 2013, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chane released a special report stating that tropical cyclones are increasing in intensity and frequency. The report states that tropical cyclone activity is projected to increase by 25%-100% by the middle of this century.
Impacts on Water Supply and Quality
In recent decades, climate change has been linked to increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, leading to water scarcity and poor quality. Climate variability and extremes are projected to increase over the 21st century, particularly in dry subtropical regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, there is evidence that changes in precipitation patterns could lead to shifts in the distribution of diseases like malaria.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is tasked with providing scientific information about human influences on global warming and assessing possible impacts on people and ecosystems. The 2007 report, titled Impacts of Climate Variability and Change, provides a comprehensive assessment of how climate change affects food security, freshwater availability, health, livelihoods, and biodiversity.
Impacts on Human Health
In recent decades, climate change has been linked to increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, leading to water scarcity and poor quality. Climate variability and extremes are projected to increase over the 21st century, particularly in dry subtropical regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, there is evidence that changes in precipitation patterns could lead to shifts in the distribution of diseases like malaria.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is tasked with providing scientific information about human influences on global warming and assessing possible impacts on people and ecosystems. The 2007 report, titled Impacts of Climate Variability and Change, provides a comprehensive assessment of how climate change affects food security, freshwater availability, health, livelihoods, and biodiversity.