Impacts of climate change

A photo of helicopters flying towards cars trapped in a landslide at the Glen Ogle

The impacts of climate change are already being seen around the world.

In Scotland and across the UK, extreme weather events have led to landslides and flooding. Climate change is having an impact on Scottish seabirds and the marine environment around our coasts.

Heat waves, droughts and flooding have claimed tens of thousands of lives and put millions of lives at risk. Tropical storms are increasing in intensity. Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons have caused billions of dollars worth of damage.

Climate scientists are studying the ice in Greenland and Antarctica as they have both shown important melting over the last 50 years. Around the world, glaciers are retreating and disappearing in line with warming trends in global and local temperature.

In recent years every summer has seen less and less Arctic sea ice. Scientists predict that there may be no Arctic sea ice in summer months by 2040.

Graph showing the extent of Arctic sea ice

Photo credit: Perth Picture Agency (PPA)

Updated on: 07 February 2008 The LTS Online Service is funded by the Scottish Government.