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Climate change evident across Europe, confirming urgent need for adaptation

23.11.2012

Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment.

Further impacts are expected in the future, potentially causing high damage costs, according to the latest assessment published by the European Environment Agency today.

...more about:
> Arctic sea ice > Climate change > economic disparities > glaciers across Europe > hazard-prone areas > permafrost soils

The report, ‘Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012’ finds that higher average temperatures have been observed across Europe as well as decreasing precipitation in southern regions and increasing precipitation in northern Europe.

The Greenland ice sheet, Arctic sea ice and many glaciers across Europe are melting, snow cover has decreased and most permafrost soils have warmed.

Extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods and droughts have caused rising damage costs across Europe in recent years. While more evidence is needed to discern the part played by climate change in this trend, growing human activity in hazard-prone areas has been a key factor.

Future climate change is expected to add to this vulnerability, as extreme weather events are expected to become more intense and frequent. If European societies do not adapt, damage costs are expected to continue to rise, according to the report.

Some regions will be less able to adapt to climate change than others, in part due to economic disparities across Europe, the report says. The effects of climate change could deepen these inequalities.

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director said: “Climate change is a reality around the world, and the extent and speed of change is becoming ever more evident. This means that every part of the economy, including households, needs to adapt as well as reduce emissions.”
http://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=31034

Observed climate change and future projections – some key findings:
see http://www.eea.europa

Tilo Arnhold | Source: UFZ News
Further information: www.ufz.de/index.php?en=31034
www.eea.europa

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Climate change evident across Europe, confirming urgent need for adaptation

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23.11.2012

Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment.

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In the focus: A New Type of Laser

In the focus: Competition in the Quantum World

In the focus: GPS solution provides three-minute tsunami alerts

In the focus: NASA Satellite Data Helps Pinpoint Glaciers' Role in Sea Level Rise

In the focus: Sea level: one third of its rise comes from melting mountain glaciers

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