Climate & Cold Environments (AQA A Level Geography)

• Rises in global warming has led to unprecedented levels of melting in cold environments
• This has current and predicted impacts on these environments, for example:
  • Since 1960, average air temperatures at the Arctic, has increased by more than 2°C
  • The extent and thickness of the sea ice has declined
  • Coupled with changes in seasonal melt; ice-dependent animals are at risk
  • The far northern Canadian polar bears are expected to face starvation and reproductive failure by 2100

 Present and Future Impacts of Global Warming

Present Impacts	Future Impacts
Rate of global glacial retreat has increased	Positive feedback of methane release from the permafrost into the atmosphere, raising greenhouses gas levels
Sea level rise due to melting glaciers and ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica	Flooding of cold, low-lying coastal areas due to further sea level rise as warming temperatures accelerate glacial melting
Permafrost melting is accelerating, causing buildings and roads to collapse	Winter sports regions are seeing reduced snowfall which has economic impacts for the locals - by 2050 only resorts above 1500m would be able to offer snow for 100 days or more
Ice roads, which are essential supply routes, are open for less time each year	Ingress of warmer loving flora and fauna into cold regions as temperatures increase, outcompeting native species
Migratory patterns of birds and animals are changing inline with seasonal changes	Existing flora and fauna become extinct as unable to adapt to warmer climate quickly enough
Increasing UV radiation has caused alterations to phytoplankton communities, impacting the food chain	Flooding and landslides increase, as inland glaciers retreat