Hurricanes are not the only form of extreme weather affected by the changing evaporation rates that occur as temperature increases. Increased rates of evaporation can also produce water shortages, or drought. Drought is also partly influenced by the accelerated loss of snow caps and glaciers. This melt water provides vital water resources that many human communities depend upon. The extent of our planet affected by drought is projected to expand in the coming century.

Paradoxically, climate change is also expected to produce more flooding. The higher moisture content in warm air increases the water vapour available to form precipitation. This increases the likelihood of flooding. The risk of flooding is especially high for coastal areas where rising sea levels also present a problem. Although increased heavy rainfall is projected for some regions, annual mean rainfall is expected to remain unchanged or decrease in other areas.

Question: Think of some ways that increased instances of drought and heavy precipitation might influence agriculture, human health, water resources, and industry. After arriving at your own conclusion, click the appropriate box in the table to view possible answers provided by the IPCC.