Climate Change: Current Drivers, Observations and Impacts on the Globe’s Natural and Human Systems

Abstract

The earth has always experienced natural climate variability. Scientists, as well as leading scientific organisations, predominantly agree that the climate warming trends observed over the past century are very likely due to human activities, especially in terms of the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Multiple evidence exist which shows that the earth’s climate has rapidly changed especially within the past three decades. Evidence collected shows that the warming of the earth is indisputable and needs to be addressed to minimise vulnerability and enable sustainable adaptations. The numerous current climate change drivers, observations and impacts which have been identified first needs to be investigated and understood before one can try to understand how these climate change drivers affects freshwater resources. Climate change has already been accompanied by various observed impacts on the natural and to some extent human systems. The varied impacts caused by climate change as well as the associated net damage costs will continue to become more significant and increase over time.