Impacts of climate change

Changing weather patterns are likely to bring rising sea levels, more severe storms, flooding, and an increased range for some tropical diseases, such as malaria.

In the UK, the early effects of climate change may already be with us, as recent floods have driven up insurance premiums and made some buildings un-insurable.

For low-lying countries and coastal cities, the consequences of climate change may be much more serious than a bigger insurance bill.

Scientists predict a sea level rise of 0.9-1.4 metres by 2200, enough to wipe whole countries off the map and make many densely populated regions uninhabitable.

The tide of ecological refugees would make the problem felt across the globe.