We’ve reached a point where it is now widely accepted that climate change is real, and that we need to adapt to the changing world in which we live. Perhaps more notably, the vast majority of people, even those who have previously been so-called climate change sceptics, have now accepted that human influence is responsible for most of the issues we now face.

What are the biggest ways in which climate change is influencing the way we live?

Storm Preparation

While climate change might not yet have us facing a situation like from The Day After Tomorrow, there is no question that we’re all more aware of extreme weather events than ever before.

Commonly, we’d look at America and the increasing numbers of tornadoes and hurricanes as evidence of climate change, but the reality is that it’s happening everywhere, whether it’s flooding in the United Kingdom and across Europe or the other extreme of heatwaves, when they occur.

However, it is definitely the more damaging events, from a property and land perspective, that represent a greater need to adapt, although extreme heat isn’t without its dangers, either.

Where to Live

How many of us would love to live by the coast or next to a beautiful river for the inspirational surroundings and lifestyle? Because of the point above, many more of us have to move away from what have traditionally been the best places to live, instead setting up home inland, which leads to these areas becoming more overcrowded and in some cases offering a lower quality of life.

Those who are taking this decision now to alleviate the flood risk they face might be wise to do so. If sea rise projections happen, they’ll be well out of the way.

Our Attitudes to the World

The biggest challenge many individuals have found with climate change is facing up to their own attitudes towards the world and how they approach the use of resources. Although we’ve heard all about the need for reducing our carbon footprint and to take a responsible approach to using energy, it is with the use of natural resources, such as water, where we can all make a huge difference.

Using products such as a shower faucet in our bathroom, a water butt in the garden, and being more sparing with how we use water, are all ways to reduce the burden we’re ultimately placing on ourselves for the future.

Taking a Holiday

One controversial argument recently raised was that climate change might be good for the economy, as it allows areas that weren’t previously known as great holiday locations to become just that. While we’re not going to get into the socio-economic aspects of the argument, climate change can definitely change the way populations think about holidays.

This is especially true in temperate climate areas such as Northern Europe, where domestic tourism is becoming more popular.

Climate Change and the Future

The influence of climate change can be seen all around us, and will continue to become more prominent in the future. As well as adapting to the changes the evolving planet demands, it is will be important to follow the practices, like water saving and being energy conscious, that help to prevent or slow down more extreme changes taking place.

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License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900448652.jpg

Freddie is a student currently researching how climate change and the environment influences human behaviour and the steps we need to take in order to do less damage to Earth.