Climate change study reveals possible global impacts

Climate change could affect the world in different ways than previously thought. New research has used computer simulations to assess how climate change might affect a range of different global aspects. A total of 30 different research teams across 12 countries were involved the the study, which saw a number of different climate change computer simulations compared to achieve an accurate portrayal of the way in which the world might be affected.

The Intersectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP) found that drought could increase by over 20 per cent in certain areas of the world, which would affect health and agriculture. Some areas are at risk of absolute water shortage - around 40 per cent more people globally - if carbon emissions are not reduced.

In over half of the areas that were investigated as part of the study, it is expected that river flooding is likely to increase, which could cause significant damage and result in higher economic costs.

It was also found that impacts of climate change can combine to create 'hotspots' of climate change impacts across the globe. This includes problems with ecosystems, water scarcity, drought, flood hazard and malaria. The study is the first to identify the possibility of these global hotspots across these areas, based upon climate change computer simulations.

Dr Simon Gosling from the School of Geography at the University of Nottingham said: "This research and the feature in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) highlights what could happen across several sectors if greenhouse gas emissions aren't cut soon. 

"It is complementary evidence to a major report I jointly-led with the Met Office that estimated the potential impacts of unabated climate change for 23 countries. Those reports helped major economies commit to take action on climate change that is demanded by the science, at the 17th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Durban."

A total of four papers were written following this collaboration, all of which were published in PNAS.