Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova College of

Ecology

Individual study 1
Theme:"Climate changes and environment
challenges"

Prepared by: Petco Alexandra

Verified by: Dimitriu Angela
Even if all emissions from human activities would
suddenly stop, the climate would continue to change.
However, continued unabated, anthropogenic pollution
and greenhouse gas emissions will further increase global
warming, ocean acidification, desertification and
changing climate patterns.

Aggravated by pollution, overexploitation of natural

resources and environmental degradation, these will lead
to severe, pervasive and irreversible changes for people,
assets, economies and ecosystems around the world.
Impacts from climate change are happening now.
These impacts extend well beyond an increase in
temperature, affecting
ecosystems and comm-
unities in the United
States and around the
world. Things that we
depend upon and value — water, energy,
transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems,
and human health — are experiencing the effects of
a changing climate.
 Water
Changes to water resources can have
a big impact on people's lives. In some
regions, particularly in the western
United States, drought is an important
factor affecting communities. Less snow
accumulation in the mountains is important in the West and Alaska,
where the snowpack stores water for later use. In the Midwest and
northeastern states, the frequency of heavy downpours has
increased. In many regions, floods and water quality problems are
likely to be worse because of climate change.
The environment
Ecosystems are also affected by climate change. Habitats are being
modified, the timing of events such as flowering and egg laying are
shifting, and species are altering their home ranges.
Changes are also occurring to the ocean. The ocean absorbs about
30% of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere from
the burning of fossil fuels. As a result,
the ocean is becoming more acidic,
affecting marine life. Rising sea levels 
due to thermal expansion and melting
land ice sheets and glaciers put coastal
areas at greater risk of erosion and
storm surge.
Climate change is also leading to indirect impacts on
biodiversity through changes in the use of land and other
resources. These may be more damaging than the direct
impacts due to their scale, scope and speed and include:
habitat fragmentation and loss; over-exploitation; pollution
of air, water and soil; and spread
of invasive species. They will further
reduce the resilience of ecosystems
to climate change and their capacity
to deliver essential services, such as climate regulation,
food, clean air and water, and control of floods or erosion.
Consequently, climate change is currently recognized as
one of the more serious environmental, social and
challenges economic challenges facing the world.