Enhanced Greenhouse Effect in NZ
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Human activity is increasing the natural level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causing Earth to warm up and the climate to change. The effects of a warming planet and disrupted climate pattern are already becoming evident. Looking out over the next 30-40 years, the effects of climate change, and the response to it, presents a major national and global challenge. The cost of doing nothing about climate change could be high, impacting upon our environment, economy and society. Some climate change is already inevitable, but with significant greenhouse gas reductions now the catastrophic effects of climate change may be avoided. In New Zealand likely climate change impacts include:
·Higher temperatures, more in the North Island than the South
·Rising sea levels
·More frequent extreme weather events such as droughts (especially in the east of New Zealand) and floods
·A change in rainfall patterns - higher rainfall in the west and less in the east.
These changes will result in both positive and negative effects. For example:
·Agricultural productivity is expected to increase in some areas but there is the risk of drought and spreading pests and diseases. It is likely that there would be costs associated with changing land-use activities to suit a new climate
·People are likely to enjoy the benefits of warmer winters with fewer frosts, but hotter summers will bring increased risks of heat stress and subtropical diseases
·Forests and vegetation may grow faster, but native ecosystems could be invaded by exotic species
·Drier conditions in some areas are likely to be coupled with the risk of more frequent extreme events such as floods, droughts and storms
· Rising sea levels will increase the risk of erosion and salt water intrusion, increasing the need for coastal protection
· Snow lines and glaciers are expected to retreat and change water flows in major South Island Rivers.
·Higher temperatures, more in the North Island than the South
·Rising sea levels
·More frequent extreme weather events such as droughts (especially in the east of New Zealand) and floods
·A change in rainfall patterns - higher rainfall in the west and less in the east.
These changes will result in both positive and negative effects. For example:
·Agricultural productivity is expected to increase in some areas but there is the risk of drought and spreading pests and diseases. It is likely that there would be costs associated with changing land-use activities to suit a new climate
·People are likely to enjoy the benefits of warmer winters with fewer frosts, but hotter summers will bring increased risks of heat stress and subtropical diseases
·Forests and vegetation may grow faster, but native ecosystems could be invaded by exotic species
·Drier conditions in some areas are likely to be coupled with the risk of more frequent extreme events such as floods, droughts and storms
· Rising sea levels will increase the risk of erosion and salt water intrusion, increasing the need for coastal protection
· Snow lines and glaciers are expected to retreat and change water flows in major South Island Rivers.