Notes for a discussion on near-term climate change adaptation

Near-term iin climate science usually refers to the next 1-10 (sometimes 1-20) years.
Over the course of a single decade normal variation can overwhelm anthropogenic impacts.
What impacts have we seen so far?
- From 1901-2020 global average temp rose 1° C
- Longer, more intensive heat waves (heat wave in France in 2003 killed >15,000 people) - partially due to changes in jet stream
- More natural disasters and extreme conditions - wildfires, hurricanes, droughts
- Impact on water supply
- Potential impact on power generation
- Changes in animal populations / ecosystems, which can impact food supply
5-20 years out
- Massive increases in migration
- Political instability
- A more uncertain world
What can we do?
- Better ways to get information out during extreme events
- Reality-based information provided to people
- Market-based solutions - change incentives - eg insurance
- Mitigation - France had another heat wave in 2019 that hit ~115F / 46C, but <1,500 people died this time - better education, planning for vulnerable populations ...

last modified: 23:22:43 09-Mar-2022
in categories:Science/Environment

Comment