Climate change and natural resources

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of modern society. Combustion of fossil fuels, ie. anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that cause the negative effect of the "greenhouse" are a key cause of global climate change. The global increase in air temperature was the trigger for changes in other climatic elements, and above all: evaporation, precipitation regime, the appearance of snow, stormy winds, long-lasting heat waves, etc. The last decade (2010‒2020) was the warmest in the instrumental period. The average annual temperature increased by 1 oC compared to the pre-industrial period. In addition to the increase in the average annual air temperature, there was also an increase in extreme temperatures, and changes in climate indices that are conditioned by the air temperature (frost, summer and tropical days). Such changes in air temperature and climate indices have led to increased evaporation and greater variability of the atmosphere. Climate change has caused a higher frequency and intensity of climate extremes, which have a very unfavorable impact on the environment and natural resources throughout the world. The area of Southeast Europe, ie. the Western Balkans, is one of the most endangered in the world in terms of floods, droughts, long-lasting heat waves and stormy winds. Climate change in the Republik of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina has been particularly pronounced in the last three decades, when they have put increasing pressure on many natural resources, especially water, agricultural land, biodiversity and forest ecosystems. Climate models point to even more intense changes in the near future, which will require a planned approach in planning the resilience of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change on a scientific basis.