Defining Climate Change: What to Expect in a Warmer World

Climate change is likely to have important security implications on a global scale, yet most discussions covering this topic fail to outline or define the specific environmental impacts that should be expected in a warmer world. At present, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that average surface temperatures across the planet are rising, with the best science currently suggesting most if not all of the observed warming is due to human activity. The expected impacts of climate change on the physical environment are wide-ranging and include stronger, but not necessarily more frequent hurricanes. Tornado activity is unlikely to change appreciably in the future, although sea level will continue to rise, possibly at a faster pace. Future flooding is likely to become worse, partially due to increasing atmospheric water vapor, while drought is also expected to become more common as a result of heightened evaporation. Severe heat waves, a particularly dangerous natural disaster for the mid-latitudes, are also expected to become more frequent and intense. A firm understanding of climate change and its most likely impacts are a vital component to any discussion relating climate change and the security environment.