Climate Change Impacts

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Climate Change Worldwide IPCC 2007

The story so far:

Carbon Dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas from a 280 parts per million before the industrial revolution to 379 ppm in 2005 the range over last 650,000 years has been 180 to 300 ppm growth rate (1995–2005) averaged 1.9 ppm per year

Climate Change in Australia IPCC 2007

Major Findings Regional climate change has occurred since 1950 There has been 0.4 to 0.7°C of warming There has been an increase in the intensity of Australian droughts Sea level has risen by about 70 mm

Less rain less rain in southern and eastern Australia more heatwaves, fewer frosts, more rain in north-west Australia

Water supplies

Graph copyright Melbourne Water 615 GL – 385 GL = 130 GL or 34% decrease (Into Thomson, Upper Yarra, O’Shannassy and Maroondah dams)

Future predictions

Rising sea levels

Significant loss of biodiversity is projected to occur by 2020 in some ecologically rich sites

IPCC 2007 diagram of key issues

Risks to Buildings, Roads, etc. Increased storm damage Increased damage by bush fires Extreme weather events will cause more damage to things like roads More blackouts

Risks to Agriculture & Forestry Production from agriculture and forestry is projected to decline by 2030 over much of southern and eastern Australia due to increased drought and fire.

Risks to Health Increased heat related deaths Warmer temperatures increase food and water-borne diseases Mental health (drought causing stress) Increased fire smoke affecting asthma suffers

More Risks to Health It is predicted that there will be changes to mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever & Malaria in northern Australia. The impacts of smog on health are still uncertain.

How old will you be in the year 2020?

Projected Changes Source: IPCC, 2007

But the good news is: