With the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, intense storms, the evidence of climate change is increasing. According to a recent study published in the journal Earth's Future, projections indicate that by the year 2100 the planet will undergo transformations in its climate zones.
The researchers used simulations to analyze the effects of variations in temperature and precipitation on the climate of the regions. These changes can lead to these areas becoming completely different compared to the climate records from the 1880s, when the first climate maps were drawn up.
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According to the study conducted by the team of scientists led by George Mason, an expert in climatology, it is estimated that approximately 38% to 40% of the global land surface could transition to a distinct climate zone by the end of the century. If climate models that are more sensitive to climate change and global warming are considered, this proportion could increase to around 50%.
The researchers employed climate models based on the five climate zones proposed by Köppen-Geiger to project future changes considering arid, temperate, continental, polar zones and tropical.
Projections indicate that arid areas could increase from 31% to 34%, with the tropical climate expanding from 23% to 25% of the global land surface. These changes have significant implications, such as potential impacts on the food production system and the possibility of spreading vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, to regions that have not yet been impacted with the disease.
Europe and North America are the regions where the most significant changes are expected, with estimates indicating that approximately 89% and 66% of their territories, respectively, will be able to experience transitions to climate zones different. In Africa, an increase in temperatures and a higher frequency of weather events were predicted, but will remain within limits.
Climate change is already being observed in many parts of the world, and polar climate regions are particularly affected. During the period between 1901 and 1930, these regions represented approximately 8% of the global territory. However, due to climate change, this area has significantly decreased and now only covers about 6.5% of the territory, which could be highly impacted by the forecast year.
These findings underscore the urgent need to address climate change and take action to inhibit its impacts. Changes in climate can have significant consequences for ecosystems, agriculture, water resources and human life in general. Adopting sustainable policies and practices is essential to address the challenges posed by global warming and preserve the health and resilience of our planet.
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