Climate Change

In recent years climate change or global warming has become one of the most researched areas in environmental studies.

While many factors continue to influence climate, scientists have determined that human activities have become a dominant force, and are responsible for most of the warming observed over the past 50 years. Human-caused climate change has resulted primarily from changes in the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but also from changes in small particles (aerosols) as well as from changes in land use. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment Report 2007 Working Group I Report: 105


We now know that the world is heating up. In the 20th century the average temperature of the earth's surface increased by an estimated 0.6°C.

Although 0.6 degrees may not seem a large increase over the century, the rate of change is however accelerating and unless corrected mankind may face an environment that is hotter than at any stage since its existence. As the speed of change increases it becomes increasing difficult for species to adjust, including human beings.


Large re-insurance companies estimate the annual economic loss due to climate change could reach $150-200 billion a year within a decade. – Millennium Project, State of the Future Report 2006

Exposure to projected climate change is likely to also affect the health status of millions of people with:

• increases in malnutrition
• increased deaths, disease and injury from extreme weather
• increased diarrhoeal disease
• increased frequently of cardio-respiratory diseases

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 Working Group II Report

When pushed past a certain threshold the damage of these natural events increases exponentially. If natural buffers have been eliminated, that threshold is lower.

Other effects of climate change will include changes in agricultural yields, species extinctions and increases in the range of disease-causing organisms. Additionally, climate change can slow the pace of progress toward sustainable development either directly through increased exposure to adverse impacts or indirectly through the erosion of our capacity to adapt.


The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change released in October 2006 states:

"Unabated climate change could cost the world at least 5% of GDP each year; if more dramatic predictions come to pass, the cost could be more than 20% of GDP." Stern Report 2006

Through creating an environment of global peace, nations will be better equipped to manage situations that potentially could lead to conflict. Co-operative and inclusive ways of managing global resources, economies and lifestyles will help to alleviate the potential for conflict that climate change could create.

It is clear that the impacts of climate change can be mitigated or greatly varied depending on the levels of co-operation that nations can achieve and the strength of our global institutions.