1. Climate Change
Lesson # 5 – Social and Economic Effects of Climate Change (8.3 of Textbook)

2. Economics Background Economic System
The organized way in which a country or region sets up activities related to how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.
Production – using raw materials to make the products
Distribution – packaging and shipping goods to stores
Consumers – people who buy the products and use them.

3. Economics Background Production and Distribution of Goods
People used to produce their own crops, goods, and clothing, but since the Industrial Revolution, we have found it more convenient to mass-produce and sell from a specific area.
This means we need to use natural resources for raw materials, energy to run machines, and transportation to deliver materials to where they will be made.
This also means we need to make packaging and shipping containers, and use trucks and fuel to deliver the goods to stores where they can be sold.

4. Economics Background Consuming Goods
We are a society of consumers – we tend to want the newest and best items for sale.
Think about what you want for Christmas – do you have the item already but want an upgrade? Is it something you need? Can you go without?

5. Economic Impacts of Climate Change
What does production, distribution, and consumption of goods have to do with climate change?

6. Society Background
A society is a group of people who have a distinctive way of life and economic system.
Developed countries live in a way that differs greatly from developing countries.
G8 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and Russia – we enjoy the highest standards of living in the world, and use more energy per capita than those who live elsewhere.

7. Developed vs. Developing
People who live in developing countries are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change – why?

8. Societal Impacts of Climate Change
1. Food
Warming will make it harder to grow crops in tropical countries
Reduction in crop would lead to food shortages in developing countries
Rising food prices in developed countries
2. Drinkable Water
Drought will make it more difficult to obtain water
Shrinking glaciers will limit fresh water supply in Southeast Asia and western South America
Flooding could contaminate freshwater supplies in low- lying areas

9. Societal Impacts 3. Infrastructure Breakdown
Equipment, buildings and roads
Severe weather events can damage infrastructure:
Energy
Distribution
Communication
Transportation

10. Societal Impacts 4. Disease 5. Population Displacement
Malaria and other tropical diseases could spread as climates become warmer.
5. Population Displacement
If land is flooded or becomes desert, people will be forced to move in order to meet their basic needs.
World conflicts for space and food

11. Positive Feedback Loops
A sequence of events that cycles back to one of the earlier events and enhances the outcome. (Positive, in this case, means enhanced, not “good”)
Example 1: Wildfires
Destroy forests
No longer a carbon sink, so releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Increase in the greenhouse effect causing warming
Drier conditions cause more fires

12. Feedback Loops Example 2: Ice and Snow Melt
Ice and snow have a high albedo
When they melt, darker surfaces absorb 90% more radiation
Darker water absorbs radiation and warms up
More ice around it melts
Water cycle occurs quicker as well

13. Positive Effects of Climate Change?
In Ontario, warmer temperatures coming earlier means longer growing seasons for crops
Also can now grow crops we did not used to be able to grow before
Northwest Passage in the Arctic opens up as a possible transport route for shipping goods which is significantly shorter than other routes which will save money and reduce fuel consumption

14. Homework Textbook Page 330 # 2-8, 10-16
“How to Save the World from…Us…” Video
Mosquitos & Malaria Video
(2:45 min onward)