Some of the impacts of climate change are direct. Others are indirect. Understanding the difference is important. It will help us understand how climate change works and what can be done to reduce its impacts.

Defining Direct Impacts

Let’s start with direct impacts. Direct impacts are measurable changes in Earth’s natural systems. Warming temperatures cause them. They include rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and shifting rain patterns.

Another direct impact is the increased likelihood of natural disasters like floods, storms, and wildfires. Not every natural disaster is caused by climate change. Some wildfires would happen whether the world was heating up or not. But climate change makes the chance of a wildfire happening much greater. It also makes it more likely that the wildfire will be severe.

Some direct impacts of climate change are harder to detect. Global warming is altering many natural systems, changing plant life cycles, and increasing ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification is a change in the chemical composition of our oceans. It happens when chemicals in the water react with carbon dioxide in the air. Because of human-caused air pollution, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing quickly. Ocean acidification is causing the disappearance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are essential for ocean life.

Defining Indirect Impacts

Climate change is affecting the natural world. It will also alter many of Earth’s human systems, including the systems that we rely upon for food, housing, and security. These changes are called “indirect impacts.”

Picture this: Climate change has increased the frequency and length of droughts in a region. This is a direct impact. That makes it harder to grow food and find drinkable water. These are indirect impacts. Because food and water are scarce, many people in the region, especially kids, don’t get enough to eat and drink. This makes them weak. They are more likely to become sick. These are indirect impacts.

A single direct impact of climate change can cause many indirect impacts. Other indirect impacts include increased heat- and cold-related illnesses, breathing problems, and damage to housing. All can lead to increased costs, unrest, and people being forced to move. They can even lead to war.

Solutions

Direct impacts are relatively easy to understand. They can be tracked and even predicted by climate scientists. The way to prevent them is quite clear. To lower their chance of happening, we must lower our greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases trap heat high up in the atmosphere. Over time, this causes average global temperatures to rise. The buildup of greenhouse gases is mostly caused by burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. Such fuels are widely used for things like electricity, heat, and transportation. Reducing their use is the major way to prevent continuing climate change.

Dealing with indirect impacts is more complicated. There are many different ways in which indirect impacts can be reduced. There are two main types of solutions. First, we can reduce indirect impacts by reducing direct impacts. To do that, we need to reduce emissions. Second, we can adapt to climate change in various ways. In other words, we can change our behavior and the way we design things. For example, we can design housing to be naturally cooler in the summer. As communities around the world face the impacts of climate change, adaptation will become increasingly important. It will help us maintain our way of life while protecting human health and well-being.