Climate change is causing the Earth's atmosphere and oceans warm up. This causes glaciers and land ice to melt which can have many devastating consequences. The main consequence is the rising of sea levels which can cause flooding along coasts worldwide and the erosion of many coasts. A lesser known consequence is that with less ice to reflect sunlight, the darker land or water soaks up the sun's energy. Earth's surface then warms further causing even more ice to melt.

Rising temperatures also affects weather patterns which can lead to changes in precipitation. These changes can result in the two extremes of flooding or drought. Additionally, hurricanes are becoming more intense between increased storm surge and rainfall.

Droughts can cause land and vegetation to dry out, becoming perfect fuels for widespread wildfires.

Rising temperatures impacts human health as well. The World Health Organization predicts heat stress linked to the climate crisis will cause an extra 38,000 deaths a year worldwide between 2030 and 2050.

Climate change is also having a pronounced impact on agriculture. Crop and livestock quality and production are effected by extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms. Rising sea levels and disruption of water supplies can alter entire agricultural seasons. These changes in rainfall, extreme weather, and seasons/seasonal temperature patterns will have the biggest effects on the agriculture industry.

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Sources:

Goodell, J. (2019, August 27). Can we survive extreme heat? Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/climate-crisis-goodell-survive-extreme-heat-875198/

Grunbaum, M. (2019, April 22). Can we cool the planet? Scholastic. https://scienceworld.scholastic.com/issues/2018-19/042219/can-we-cool-the-planet.html#1080L

United States Department of Agriculture. (2019, September 24). Climate change. United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/climate-change/

Zwane, E. M. (2019). Impact of climate change on primary agriculture, water sources and food security in Western Cape, South Africa. Jamba, 11(1), 1-7.