International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Specific climate change issues related to marine ecosystem type

The issues identified in the next pages are not exhaustive but indicative one of the types of issues marine IW projects should be considering. A simple summary of key issues is presented for large marine ecosystems, open oceans and coastal zones/areas. However, projects should be aware that the inter-linkages between these marine ecosystem types could be significant.

Climate variability and change over the past century have already had significant and measurable effects on ecosystems, societies, economies, and health. Climate change contributes to sea‐level rise and to the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts and other extreme weather events. Examples of climate variability include extended droughts, floods, and conditions that result from periodic El Niño and La Niña events. Climate variability can cause abrupt disruptions, such as floods, droughts, or tropical storms. These disruptions can take a major toll on a country’s economy if a significant part of economic activity is sensitive to the weather and climate as is, for example, the case with coastal economies. Future changes in exposure, vulnerability, and climate extremes resulting from natural climate variability, anthropogenic climate change, and socioeconomic development can alter the impacts of climate extremes on natural and human systems and the potential for disasters.