Green House Effect
Consequences of greenhouse-effect temperature rises
Predicting the consequences of global warming is one of the most difficult tasks for the world’s climate researchers. This is because the natural processes that cause rain, hail and snow storms, increases in sea level and other expected effects of global warming are dependent on many different factors. It is also difficult to predict the size of the emissions of greenhouse gases in the coming decades, as this is determined to a great extent by political decisions and technological breakthroughs. How might this affect Europe?
Many of the effects of global warming have been well-documented, and observations from real life are consistent with earlier predictions.
The effects that can be predicted include: * more drought and more flooding * less ice and snow * more extreme weather incidents * rising sea level
More drought and more flooding
Extra water vapour in the atmosphere falls again as extra rain, which can cause flooding in other places in the world.
When the weather gets warmer, evaporation from both land and sea increases. This can cause drought in areas of the world where the increased evaporation is not compensated for by more precipitation.
In some regions of the world this will result in crop failure and famine especially in areas where temperatures are already high. The extra water vapour in the atmosphere will fall again as extra rain, which can cause flooding in other places in the world.
Less ice and snow
Towns and villages that are dependent on meltwater from mountain areas may suffer drought and lack of domestic water supply.
Worldwide, glaciers are shrinking rapidly at present. Ice appears to be melting faster than previously estimated. In areas that are dependent on meltwater from mountain areas, this can cause drought and lack of domestic water supply.
According to the IPCC, up to a sixth of the world's population lives in areas that will be affected by meltwater
Predicting the consequences of global warming is one of the most difficult tasks for the world’s climate researchers. This is because the natural processes that cause rain, hail and snow storms, increases in sea level and other expected effects of global warming are dependent on many different factors. It is also difficult to predict the size of the emissions of greenhouse gases in the coming decades, as this is determined to a great extent by political decisions and technological breakthroughs. How might this affect Europe?
Many of the effects of global warming have been well-documented, and observations from real life are consistent with earlier predictions.
The effects that can be predicted include: * more drought and more flooding * less ice and snow * more extreme weather incidents * rising sea level
More drought and more flooding
Extra water vapour in the atmosphere falls again as extra rain, which can cause flooding in other places in the world.
When the weather gets warmer, evaporation from both land and sea increases. This can cause drought in areas of the world where the increased evaporation is not compensated for by more precipitation.
In some regions of the world this will result in crop failure and famine especially in areas where temperatures are already high. The extra water vapour in the atmosphere will fall again as extra rain, which can cause flooding in other places in the world.
Less ice and snow
Towns and villages that are dependent on meltwater from mountain areas may suffer drought and lack of domestic water supply.
Worldwide, glaciers are shrinking rapidly at present. Ice appears to be melting faster than previously estimated. In areas that are dependent on meltwater from mountain areas, this can cause drought and lack of domestic water supply.
According to the IPCC, up to a sixth of the world's population lives in areas that will be affected by meltwater