We can already see the effects of the climate crisis across the globe: melting of the ice caps, shrinking glaciers, sea levels rising, changes in precipitation patterns, intensification of extreme weather events: droughts, heat waves, storms and hurricanes. All these changes put more pressure on food production and fresh water supplies.
Global heating
The Earth’s surface temperature in 2018 was the fourth warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880, according to an analysis by NASA.
“The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for August 2019 was 0.92°C (1.66°F) above the 20th century average of 15.6°C (60.1°F) and tied with 2015 and 2017 as the second highest August temperature departure from average since global records began in 1880. This value is 0.06°C (0.11°F) less than the record warm August set in 2016. Nine of the ten highest August land and ocean surface temperatures have occurred since 2009, with the five warmest Augusts occurring since 2014. August 1998 is the only August from the 20th century to be among the 10 warmest Augusts on record.” [NOAA/NCEI global analysis accessed August 27, 2019]
Melting of the ice
Sea level rise
Due to ice melting the sea level across the world has risen. Sea levels rising has already flooded multiple islands in the Pacific’s Solomon Islands. Villages are already being relocated and communities need to adapt to the changing conditions.

Source: 60 Minutes

Source: 60 Minutes
Extreme weather events
Extreme drought and water crisis

A water pump shed is seen in the dried-up portion of the Sabarmati river on a hot day on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. Source: Amit Dave/Reuters

Source: Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images
Forest fires

Source: BBC. AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Source: BBC. GETTY IMAGES
More intense hurricane & storms

Source: NASA

Source: USA Today
Floods
An actual example of how climate change influence our lives Storm Desmond, which hit Ireland in December 2015 causing extensive floods in areas from Donegal to Cork. West Ireland will have wetter winters and more of these extreme events:
According to the Leitrim Observer: “Up to 35mm of rain – nearly a third of what is normally recorded in December – is expected to fall on parts of Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry into tomorrow, deepening the crisis for hundreds of homes.
In more rural areas thousands of acres of farmland was already under water with many people resigned to the fact of another flood in six years.
Councils in Clare, Limerick and Ballinasloe called in the Army to help with defences.
In Limerick seven pumps were in operation shifting water away from the villages of Castleconnell and Montpelier while an inflatable flood boom, which acts like movable defence wall, was being used to channel some of the floods.”
Biodiversity loss
Loss in biodiversity is also an effect of the climate crisis. Reduction in any species can affect an entire food chain, which can further reduce biodiversity overall. Human beings are also part of the ecosystem, our activities affect it and we are also affected by changes in the system. Loss of biodiversity can have a major impact on our food supply, making it more vulnerable to pests and disease.

Ocean Acidification
“The ocean covers about 70 percent of Earth’s surface. The ocean plays a large part in Earth’s environment. One of its largest roles is to soak up energy (heat) and distribute it more evenly throughout the Earth. The ocean also helps to absorb Earth’s CO2.”(NASA)
Ocean acidification occurs through the absorption of CO2 from Earth’s atmosphere. About 30% of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by humans is absorbed into the ocean. This lowers the pH of the surface water levels and in turn, affects the ability of corals to produce calcium carbonate. Corals have one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.

Source: Article “Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification” written by O. Hoegh-Guldberg, et al.
Mass migration and climate refugees
Because of an increase in extreme weather patterns some areas of the world will be more affected than others. In some areas there will be an increase in flooding, hurricanes, desertification, etc. All these extreme effects of the climate crisis can have a direct impact on food and water supply. This shortages can trigger armed conflict and mass migrations. Such problems are already believed to be the driving factor for the Syrian conflict.
