Climate change
is important for a number of reasons.
Ecosystems, human health and economy
are all sensitive to changes in climate –
including both the magnitude and rate of
climate change. Whereas many regions are
likely to experience adverse effects of
climate change – some of which are
potentially irreversible – some effects
could be beneficial for regions.
Several vulnerable ecosystems such as coral
reefs are seriously endangered by increased
sea temperature and some populations of
migratory birds have been declining because
of unfavourable variations in climatic
conditions. Climate change is furthermore
likely to affect human health and well-being
through a variety of mechanisms. For
example, it can adversely affect the
availability of freshwater, food production
and seasonal transmission of vector-borne
infectious disease such as malaria and
dengue fever.
Some facts about
climate change
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