Human settlements, energy and industry.

Climate change will affect human settlements.

Settlements that depend heavily on commercial fishing, subsistence agriculture and other natural resources are particularly vulnerable.

Also at risk are low-lying areas and deltas, large coastal cities, squatter camps located in flood plains and on steep hillsides, settlements in forested areas that can increase seasonal wildfires, and settlements to stress from population growth, poverty and environmental degradation. In all cases, the poor will be most affected. While climate change will often have less impact on this sector in economic development, technological change and other environmental and social forces, is likely to exacerbate the total stress on settlements.

Infrastructure will become more vulnerable to floods and landslides.

Precipitation events are more intense and frequent as expected should intensify urban flooding. Also be more exposed to risks of flooding the settlements along rivers and within flood plains. The increased risk of landslides would arise in the areas along the mountainsides.

It is anticipated that tropical cyclones are more destructive in some areas.

These massive storm systems also known as hurricanes and typhoons combined effects of heavy rain, high winds and storm surge and sea level. The risk is that warmer oceans will increase in frequency and intensity of such storms.

Warming, droughts and flooding could undermine water supplies.

Settlements in areas where water is already scarce, including much of North Africa, Middle East, Southwest Asia, northern parts of North America and some Pacific islands, as should expected to face even greater demand water as the climate warms. There is no obvious low-cost ways to get the most fresh water supplies in these regions. In some regions, repeated flooding could create problems with water quality.

Could increase the risk of fire.

However, there are many uncertainties about how the hot and dry weather will combine with other factors to influence the risk of fire. u Agriculture and fisheries are sensitive to climate change. In some cases, agricultural production could be reduced by up to several tens of percent as a result of hotter weather, greater evaporation and lower precipitation, particularly in the mid-continental regions growth. However, other regions may benefit and experience higher yields. Fisheries will be affected due to changes in ocean conditions caused by global warming can substantially impact the locations and types of species in question.

Heat waves will become a greater threat to human health and productivity.

Heat waves have serious effects in the elderly, chronically ill, and the very young. The likely effects on the overall death rate are less clear. The effects of urban heat islands stronger exacerbate the oppressive effects of heat waves to increase in summer temperatures experienced in various degrees. In the meantime, as far as the weather gets warmer, the economic productivity of populations living in unprotected areas and weather.

Rising sea levels must affect coastal infrastructure and resource-based industries.

Many coastlines are developed and contain human settlements, industry, ports and other infrastructure. Many of the most vulnerable regions include some small island nations, low-lying deltas, developing and densely populated coasts that currently lack defense systems and coastal sea. Several industries such as tourism, recreation and major sources of income for many island economies are particularly dependent on coastal resources.

Energy demand is sensitive to climate change.

Heating needs in the middle latitudes and high altitudes would decline but cooling requirements would increase. The net overall impact of these changes in energy use would depend on local circumstances. For example, if temperature increases occur primarily at night, and during the winter months, heating demand will be lower and the demand for cooling and irrigation. Meanwhile, energy supply systems are vulnerable to changes resulting from global warming. For example, increased water deficits, reduced snow in the winter to feed the streams in summer and increased demand for freshwater supplies would affect hydropower production.

Infrastructure in permafrost regions is vulnerable to climate change.

The melting of permafrost threatens infrastructure in these regions because it would increase landslides and reduce the stability of foundations for structures. Other impacts would include greater damage from cycles of freeze-thaw. In addition, it is estimated that the melting of permafrost is a source of methane and carbon dioxide.

Local capacity is critical to successful adaptation.

The ability of communities to adapt tends to be closely related to economic resources, human capital and institutional strength. The most effective sustainable solutions are being developed and are supported at the local level. Next, the role of high-level bodies to provide technical assistance and institutional support. A clear message for those responsible for policy is to always anticipate the probable future impacts of climate change when they take decisions regarding human settlements and make investments in infrastructure.

Source: United Nations Environment Programme and the Secretariat on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

 

 

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