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Chapter 4 Impact on society

4.1 Communities

Global warming and its effects are felt in communities around the world. Increasingly frequent and intense
weather and climate events are destroying our infrastructure and ecosystems that provide various benefits
to communities. Future climate change is likely to cause many disruptions to you and community life.
People on lower incomes have fewer opportunities to prepare for extreme weather and climate events.
Global action to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce climate risks and
increase opportunities for these communities in the long term.

4.2 Economy

Rising temperatures, rising sea levels and extreme events will increasingly disrupt and destroy
infrastructure, productivity and the vitality of our communities. Regional economies and industries
dependent on natural resources and favourable climate conditions (e.g. agriculture, tourism and fisheries)
are very vulnerable to climate change. Increased temperatures will reduce the efficiency of electricity
production, but energy demand will be even higher, increasing the cost of electricity. Climate change will
have a major impact on trade and the economy. With the steady increase in greenhouse gas emissions,
annual losses in some sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the
century.