Adaptation to climate change impact a local level ( part 1/2)

What is climate?

While weather denotes the short-time state of the atmosphere,

climate is the typical weather regime for a given area

evaluated over longer periods of time,

usually for the period of 30 years.

Climate is a result of the activity of several factors

such as solar radiation, position of the Earth to the Sun,

ocean currents, volcanic activity, Earth’s biosphere,

and greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere

– the so-called greenhouse effect.

Even though this effect is natural

– otherwise the temperatures on Earth would be 33°C lower

– mankind is intensifying the effect by burning fossil fuels

such as coal or oil which results in releasing greenhouse gases;

as well as by excessive deforestation.

The period of the last 3 decades was the warmest in the latest 1,400 years

in the Northern Hemisphere.

Yet climatologists warn us that the global temperatures will rise

by 1 to 4°C by the end of this century,

mainly depending on the quantity of greenhouse gases emissions

we release into the atmosphere.

Does it seem a small rise?

Difference between the global temperature and ice-age temperatures

is only 5-6°C.

In Slovakia, the average annual temperature in the last 130 years

rose by almost 1.7°C.

By the end of the century,

our average air temperatures will grow by 2 to 4°C

when compared to the period of years 1951-1980.

If the average temperature grows by 4°C,

climate zone on the level of Komárno will shift to Poprad.

Gradual warming of the atmosphere and its effects can already be seen in Slovakia, too,

in the form of more frequent and more intensive extreme weather events.

Heat waves will increase the risk of collapses and deaths of elderly

and chronically ill people;

they will result in buildings overheating

or infrastructure damage.

European Commission states that the heat-related EU mortality rate

could grow by 30,000 deaths annually by 2130s.

Longer droughts will have a negative impact on food production yields

and, consequently, on the growing prices of some foodstuffs.

In some areas of Slovakia, droughts can cause lower availability of water.

Moreover, forest fires risk will rise proportionally to the heat waves increase.

Torrential rains will increase the risk of floods which pose threat to people’s lives

and cause damages to property

not only in the areas around water courses

but also in the places where water infiltration into the soil is limited.

Strong storms linked to strong winds

can pose a threat for the infrastructure,

property or agricultural crops.

Climate change represents a complex of challenges

that impact not only the environment

but also the social, economic and health situation

which, consequently, will influence each and every one of us.

The time to act is now!

Adaptation to climate change - change in decision - making

Swiss - Slovak cooperation programme

Carpathian Development Institute - more info: www.kri.sk