Climate change is dangerous for many reasons, including: Health. Climate change can lead to death and illness from extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, and floods. It can also cause mental health issues, and increase the spread of diseases. Sea level rise. As the planet warms, glaciers and ice sheets melt, and sea water expands, causing the world's oceans to rise. Drought. Droughts can cause billions of dollars in losses to agriculture, and force millions of people to migrate. Ocean acidification. As carbon dioxide mixes with water in the oceans, it produces acids, which can be harmful. Wildfire. Wildfires can destroy ecosystems, livelihoods, and properties. They also emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. Heatwaves. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, and can have severe consequences for humans, animals, and the environment. Floods. Floods are increasing in frequency and intensity, and can cause widespread devastation, including loss of life and damage to property.
Climate change is difficult to control for many reasons, including: Uncertainties. There are still uncertainties about the timing and location of the environmental impacts of climate change. Long-term consequences. The consequences of climate change are long-term and difficult to understand. Cumulative. Climate change is cumulative, so the longer we wait to address it, the worse it becomes. Global pollution. Climate change is a global pollutant, so emissions in one place have the same impact as emissions in another. Political polarization. Political parties are more polarized on climate change than on other issues. Economic activities. Climate change is a result of the collective weight of all economic activities around the world. Cost. Renewable energy technologies are more expensive than fossil fuels. Subsidies. The fossil fuel industry receives more subsidies than clean energy. Time disconnect. Policies to reduce emissions won't have a noticeable impact for decades or centuries. Costs disproportionately hit different parts of the world Low-lying nations are at a higher risk from climate change than other parts of the world.