Changes in global weather patterns may mean full-scale hurricanes reach western Europe. Entire ecosystems may shrink or die, including Wadden Sea saltmarshes and many forests. Desertification likely to accelerate in Mediterranean Europe. Some scientists talk of Sahara desert 'leapfrogging' Mediterranean into southern Europe. Crop yields would decline as a result.
Climate change possible cause, and future change likely to worsen problem.
Change in global weather patterns may lead to major flooding in eastern South America. Major river deltas also likely to flood as seas rise, displacing millions. Parts of the Amazon rain forest will turn into desert by 2050, threatening the world with a potentially unstoppable greenhouse effect, according to findings by Britain's Hadley Centre for Climate Change. Mexico may suffer drought, and Mexico City further pollution, as rainfall decreases and temperature warms. California also likely to suffer serious droughts.