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2 - Future Earth and Expected Mega Changes

from Part I - Future Earth and Planetary Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2018

Tom Beer
Affiliation:
IUGG Commission on Climatic and Environmental Change (CCEC)
Jianping Li
Affiliation:
Beijing Normal University
Keith Alverson
Affiliation:
UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre
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Summary

Natural factors (solar and volcanic activities, orbital changes, etc.) changed the Earth’s climate in the past. Climate change nowadays differs. Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history. Current continued emission rate of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible detrimental impacts for people and ecosystems. Warmer temperature, reduced surface and groundwater resources, increased extreme events, sea level rise, ocean acidification, extinction of species, melting glaciers, reduced permafrost extent, loss of Amazon rain forest, widespread drought and undermined food security, increased poverty and hunger, increased displacement of people, exacerbated human health problems and national security implications are some of the expected mega changes in the Future Earth. While stressing these threats, we are actually expressing a longing for a better world for our future and our children.

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