6.8B - Rising Temperatures
Increased temperatures affect evaporation rates and the quantity of water vapour in the atmosphere with implications for precipitation patterns , river regimes and water stores (cryosphere and drainage basin stores) (Arctic) (A: attitudes of global consumers to environmental issues)
The rising temperatures resulting from GHG emissions are increasing both evaporation rates and the amount of water vapour. This in turn, is impacting on:
- precipitation patterns
- river regimes
- drainage basin stores
- the cryosphere
The Arctic
The Arctic plays an important role in global climate, as its sea ice regulates evaporation and precipitation. What has happened here over the last few decades serves as a warning to the rest of the planet:
In terms of human wellbeing, there has been both positives and negatives. The warming climate is opening up previously ice-bound wilderness areas to tourism. the exploitation of mineral resources, particularly Arctic oil and as, is becoming more feasible. However, climate warming is disrupting and perhaps annihilating traditional ways of life, for example the the fishing and hunting of Inuits in North America and the Sami reindeer herders of northern Eurasia.
Although scientific understanding of the enhanced greenhouse effect is increasing, there is still much uncertainty. As a consequence, there is a commensurate degree of caution when it comes to making global projections.
- temperatures have risen twice as fast as the global average
- there has been a considerable loss of sea ice; the North-west Passage is now open to summer navigation
- much melting of the permafrost
- carbon uptake by terrestrial plants is increasing because of a lengthening growing season
- a loss of albedo as the ice that once covered the land surface gives way to tundra, and tundra gives way to taiga. Sunlight that was previously reflected back into space by the white surface is now being increasingly absorbed by the ever darkening land surface. In other words, it is encouraging further climate warming.
In terms of human wellbeing, there has been both positives and negatives. The warming climate is opening up previously ice-bound wilderness areas to tourism. the exploitation of mineral resources, particularly Arctic oil and as, is becoming more feasible. However, climate warming is disrupting and perhaps annihilating traditional ways of life, for example the the fishing and hunting of Inuits in North America and the Sami reindeer herders of northern Eurasia.
Although scientific understanding of the enhanced greenhouse effect is increasing, there is still much uncertainty. As a consequence, there is a commensurate degree of caution when it comes to making global projections.