How Changes in the Water & Carbon Cycles Can Have Implications for Life on Earth

Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are resulting in many issues around the world. Increased global temperatures can lead to the following events:

• Sea level rise through thermal expansion of existing ocean volumes plus cryospheric water storage melts are forecast to lead to low lying coastal land being flooded, human crises, mass migration and environmental damage in the coming decades.
• Changing rainfall patterns as climate bands move away from tropical zones.  Many areas will experience longer periods of drought, leading to environmental issues such as soil erosion, fires, tropical disease extension and issues for food production.  Social and economic deterioration and mass migration will also occur as a result.  Other areas will experience increased rainfall, causing flash floods.
• Increasing evaporation from oceans in tropical areas is likely to result in an increase in the intensity, extent and frequency of tropical storms causing severe damage to the natural and built environment where they are experienced.