Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Information Source: EPA Climate Change FAQ 1. How serious is a warming of a few degrees? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates it has warmed 1.2 to 1.4°F (0.7 to 0.8ºC) over the past century and projects a further 3 to 7°F (2 to 4ºC) over the 21st century. The increases may appear minor compared to short-term weather changes from night to day and winter to summer. In global climate terms, however, warming at this rate would be much larger and faster than any of the climate changes over at least the past 10,000 years. Source: . 2. Will a warming climate have more positive or negative effects? A warming climate will have both positive and negative impacts. Local impacts are the most difficult to predict, making it a challenge to know exactly who or what will be harmed or benefit. Generally, the risk of negative impacts from climate change increases the faster it warms. More rapid climate change makes adapting to change more difficult and costly. This is especially true for vulnerable groups (such as the poor, the very young, and older adults) and fragile ecosystems which may struggle to adapt to even small changes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that temperature increases above the range of 3.5 to 5.5°F (2 to 3ºC) over the next 100 years would dramatically increase the negative impacts of climate change. So a major aim of climate action is to reduce the risk and likelihood of large, rapid warming. For more information, visit the of EPA’s Climate Change site. Source: 3. How will climate change affect ecosystems? Some ecosystems have already been affected by changes in climate. As the climate continues to warm, major changes may occur in ecosystem structure and function, species’ ecological interactions, and species’ geographic ranges, with predominantly negative consequences for biodiversity. Warmer temperatures and precipitation changes will likely affect the habitats and migratory patterns of many types of
Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Information Source: EPA Climate Change FAQ 1. How serious is a warming of a few degrees? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates it has warmed 1.2 to 1.4°F (0.7 to 0.8ºC) over the past century and projects a further 3 to 7°F (2 to 4ºC) over the 21st century. The increases may appear minor compared to short-term weather changes from night to day and winter to summer. In global climate terms, however, warming at this rate would be much larger and faster than any of the climate changes over at least the past 10,000 years. Source: . 2. Will a warming climate have more positive or negative effects? A warming climate will have both positive and negative impacts. Local impacts are the most difficult to predict, making it a challenge to know exactly who or what will be harmed or benefit. Generally, the risk of negative impacts from climate change increases the faster it warms. More rapid climate change makes adapting to change more difficult and costly. This is especially true for vulnerable groups (such as the poor, the very young, and older adults) and fragile ecosystems which may struggle to adapt to even small changes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that temperature increases above the range of 3.5 to 5.5°F (2 to 3ºC) over the next 100 years would dramatically increase the negative impacts of climate change. So a major aim of climate action is to reduce the risk and likelihood of large, rapid warming. For more information, visit the of EPA’s Climate Change site. Source: 3. How will climate change affect ecosystems? Some ecosystems have already been affected by changes in climate. As the climate continues to warm, major changes may occur in ecosystem structure and function, species’ ecological interactions, and species’ geographic ranges, with predominantly negative consequences for biodiversity. Warmer temperatures and precipitation changes will likely affect the habitats and migratory patterns of many types of
climate_change_faq_-key.docx