Primary climate hazards are extreme weather events and environmental changes intensified by climate change, posing significant risks to ecosystems, human health, and infrastructure. Key climate hazards include:
- Heatwaves: Extended periods of excessively high temperatures can lead to health issues such as heatstroke and exacerbate drought conditions. NOAA
- Droughts: Prolonged dry spells reduce water availability, adversely affecting agriculture, water supply, and increasing the risk of wildfires. Wikipedia
- Floods: Intensified rainfall and rising sea levels contribute to more frequent and severe flooding, damaging infrastructure, displacing populations, and disrupting ecosystems. NASA Science
- Storms and Hurricanes: Climate change can increase the intensity of storms, leading to stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and greater storm surges, resulting in extensive damage to coastal and inland areas. NASA Science
- Wildfires: Higher temperatures and prolonged droughts create conditions conducive to wildfires, which can devastate forests, destroy homes, and harm air quality. Wikipedia
- Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers and polar ice contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities with erosion, increased flooding, and loss of habitat. United Nations
These hazards are interconnected and can compound each other's effects, leading to more complex and severe impacts on the environment and human societies.
