Impact of Cliamate Change

Hydrosphere:
- The water levels have risen a bit, but can still rise a lot more causing the towns and cities along the coast to flood.
- Rising sea levels will also increase the risk of erosion and salt water intrusion.
- Snow lines and glaciers will melt causing change in water flow.
- Lower river flows in summer will raise water temperatures and aggravate water quality problems.
- Water demand will be heightened during hot, dry summers.
- In the winter there will be more intense rainfall causing flooding and flash flooding when the urban sewage drains overflow.
- River flows are likely to be lower in summer and higher in winter.
- With higher levels of water more coastal protection would be needed.

Lithosphere:
- The foundation of what buildings are built on will become softer and drier making the buildings collapse easier when wind speeds are up very high.
- Increased temperatures may reduce comfort of occupants in domestic, commercial and public buildings, and could lead to business disruption.
- Hotter summers may cause railways to buckle and rutted roads causing high expenses for repairs.
- Households may find it more difficult to access adequate insurance cover in the face of increased flood risk.
- Very likely that there would be costs associated with changing land-use activities to suit a new climate.

Atmosphere:
- When the air heats up people will be more vulnerable to illnesses such as colds and flu.
- Cyclones may become more common as well with the warmer air.
- Pests and diseases will start to spread a lot faster.
- Heat stroke and subtropical diseases will become more common.
- The risk management of potential climate change impacts may provide significant opportunities for business.
- There will be a less demand for winter heating causing those businesses to loose money.

Biosphere:
- Droughts cause water to dry up and crops and plants to die and make it a lot harder to live especially in their already tropical climate. Many plants and animals would die.
- Change of rainfall patterns have already happened and will affect plants and crops the same and cause farmers to adjust to the patterns.
- Native ecosystems may be invaded by exotic species.
- Fruit and vegetable growers may find it more expensive to insure against hail damage.
- Warmer temperatures will reduce some critical habitats, but increasing the risk of localised extinction.
- Higher level of mortality to hot temperatures.
- Increased summer drought will cause stress to dry lowland forests.
- There is likely to be an increase in demand for air-conditioning systems and therefore for electricity in summer.
- Earlier springs and longer frost-free seasons could affect the timing of bird egg-laying.
- Farming productivity will increase in some areas.
- Forests and other vegetation may grow faster.