Climate change in Argentina: trends, projections, impacts and adaptation

Abstract

In most of Argentina, the warming since 1901 was a little lower than the global average, although with strong trends in temperature extremes and in heat waves during the most recent decades. There was a remarkable increase in precipitation over most of subtropical Argentina, especially since 1960. This has favored agriculture yields and the extension of crop lands into semiarid regions, but this increase also came with more frequent heavy rainfalls and consequent flooding of rural and urban areas. Since the early 1970s, the main rivers of the Plata Basin have increased their mean flows, but this was attributable not only to increased precipitation, but also to land use changes. In contrast, over the Andes Mountains, reduced rainfall and increased temperature has led to glaciers receding and reduced river flows. Climate projections for the first half of this century maintain observed trends and raise additional concerns that in most cases can be dealt with timely adaptation policies. However, by the end of this century, under an extreme emissions scenario, the projected warming reaches 3.5°C in the north of the country with respect to present‐day conditions. There is insufficient knowledge to assume that this warming would not create severe damages to the people and the economy of Argentina. Because of the damages and casualties that heat waves and extreme precipitation events are already producing, the first and most urgent adaptation required is to reinforce early warning systems and contingency planning to cope with climatic extremes and their consequences on health. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:151–169. doi: 10.1002/wcc.316 This article is categorized under: Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > National Reviews

Seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus in Buenos Aires. Relationship with global climate change

“…This may explain why it was not posible to demonstrate a correlation between an increase in temperature and a shorter duration of the RSV season. Considering that with slightly longer periods it is possible to verify significant changes in mean annual temperature, 8 it is reasonable to believe that RSV data corresponding to a longer period would allow to obtain similar results to those described by Donaldson. …”

“…In Argentina, the increase in temperature during the 20 th century was slightly below the global average; however, over the past decades, a trend towards extreme temperatures and heat waves has been confirmed. 8 Environmental impact on health has been widely documented, especially in relation to climate and air pollution. Climate may have a more marked effect on respiratory diseases.…”

Circulación del virus sincicial respiratorio en Buenos Aires. Su relación con el cambio climático global

“…En Argentina, el incremento de temperaturas durante el siglo XX fue ligeramente menor que el promedio global; sin embargo, durante las últimas décadas, se verificó una tendencia a temperaturas extremas y olas de calor. 8 El impacto del ambiente sobre la salud está muy documentado, en particular el del clima y el de la contaminación atmosférica. En relación al clima, existiría un efecto más pronunciado sobre enfermedades respiratorias.…”

“…Este hecho puede ser responsable de no haber podido demostrar una correlación directa entre el aumento de la temperatura y el acortamiento de la temporada de VSR. Teniendo en cuenta que, al considerar períodos ligeramente más largos, es posible verificar modificaciones significativas en la temperatura media anual, 8 es razonable pensar que, si se contara con datos de VSR de un período más largo, se podría arribar a resultados similares a los de Donaldson. 6 …”

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“…553 Dominant surface wind patterns in northern Argentina are humid and sometimes hot winds from 554 the east and north (e.g., Barros et al, 2015), whereas cold winds are from the south. In 555 consequence, the orientation pattern described by Crespo (1944) Features of fossil burrow fills.…”