Evaluate the Possible Effects of Global Warming on One Tropical Region That You Have Studied. (10 Marks)
Bangladesh experiences the tropical wet monsoon climate. As one of the poorest nations in the world it is also one of the most ill prepared to face the challenge presented by climate change and is predicted to be seriously affected by global warming and some of the predicted effects are as follows
• An increase in average temperature of 1.5-2 Oc by 2050
• An increase of 10-15% in annual precipitation by 2050 and an increase in the frequency and severity of cyclones during the wet season as a result of warmer sea temperatures in the Bay of Bengal meaning more flooding would result in land being used for crop growth being ruined.
• A 20% increase in river discharge, partly from the predicted increase in precipitation but also because of glacier melt in the Himalayas, where the rivers in Brahmaputra, Meghna and Ganges have their source
• A significant rise in sea level along the coastline and inland along the countless tidal inlets. In 2001 the World Bank reported rising sea levels of 3mm per year and this led to predications that by 2050 1mm rise are sea level was possible if no preventive action was taken. This would result in 15% of the total land area of Bangladesh being inundated by salt water meaning any farming land on the coast or in the low laying areas will be ruined and therefore no longer be able to be farmed. This could lead to food shortages on a regional and maybe a national level.
• An estimated 13-30 million people could be displaced from their homes by permanent flooding and the total annual rice crop is likely to fall by at least 30% because of loss of land. This can lead to mass migration of people into northeast India and there is likely to be increased international tension between the two countries, in addition to internal political instability. This could lead to huge scale poverty increasing and also the outbreak of disease
• Coral reefs will become irreparably damaged by the severe storms and this will have a knock on effect on rare
• An increase in average temperature of 1.5-2 Oc by 2050
• An increase of 10-15% in annual precipitation by 2050 and an increase in the frequency and severity of cyclones during the wet season as a result of warmer sea temperatures in the Bay of Bengal meaning more flooding would result in land being used for crop growth being ruined.
• A 20% increase in river discharge, partly from the predicted increase in precipitation but also because of glacier melt in the Himalayas, where the rivers in Brahmaputra, Meghna and Ganges have their source
• A significant rise in sea level along the coastline and inland along the countless tidal inlets. In 2001 the World Bank reported rising sea levels of 3mm per year and this led to predications that by 2050 1mm rise are sea level was possible if no preventive action was taken. This would result in 15% of the total land area of Bangladesh being inundated by salt water meaning any farming land on the coast or in the low laying areas will be ruined and therefore no longer be able to be farmed. This could lead to food shortages on a regional and maybe a national level.
• An estimated 13-30 million people could be displaced from their homes by permanent flooding and the total annual rice crop is likely to fall by at least 30% because of loss of land. This can lead to mass migration of people into northeast India and there is likely to be increased international tension between the two countries, in addition to internal political instability. This could lead to huge scale poverty increasing and also the outbreak of disease
• Coral reefs will become irreparably damaged by the severe storms and this will have a knock on effect on rare