College of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

Second Semester S.Y. 2019-2020

Name: Alyssa Oleen O. Cristobal

Year and Section: BSCE-1B

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Enrichment Activity

1. What are the impacts of climate change on earth?

According to the handouts, one global impact of climate change is the ice cover loss or the
melting of ice which causes more warming. The ocean and land absorb more incoming solar
radiation and then release the heat to the atmosphere. This causes more global warming and
so more ice melts. Another impact of climate change on earth is the sea level rise which poses
a serious threat to coastal life around the world. Consequences include increased storm surges,
flooding and damage to coastal areas. It is due to melting ice related to global warming in
which water expands when it becomes warmer. Next is storm, which has the potential to harm
lives and properties. It generates strong winds that can completely defoliate forest canopies
and cause dramatic structural changes. Animals are also affected they may be killed or
impacted through changes in habitat and food availability because of high winds, storm surge,
and intense rainfall. River flood is another impact on earth which causes loss of human life,
damage to property, destruction of crops and many more. It also affects the surface of the
earth which can occur rapidly or have slow changes. Flooding also has the impact on the
environment where wildlife habitats are destroyed and contaminated floodwater can pollute
rivers and habitats. Another major impact of climate change on earth is drought, it affects the
environment in different ways just like how us people depend on water and also plants and
animals. Droughts can result in lower water levels in lakes and ponds as well as reduced stream
flow in rivers. The decrease in availability of water can also lead to reduction of some wetlands
and even impact on water quality.

The consequences of climate change are already here and it’s causing a wide range of
impacts that will affect every human on earth in severe ways.

2. What are distributions of impacts of climate change?

The impacts of climate change are many and diverse. Determining whether these impacts
are beneficial or detrimental, small or large, depends on the sector, location and time.
According to the lecture, market and non-market impact distributes impact to climate change
which affects human health and ecosystem. Climate risks have vast potential to impact financial
markets and fossil fuels can lose its value. Climate change would cause substantial negative
health impacts in developing countries. Aside from that, other sectors like livestock, forestry
and fisheries industries will be affected also.