GREENHOUSE-EFFECT AND CLIMATE-CHANGE - IMPLICATIONS FOR DENMARK

If the human influence on the atmosphere proceeds unchanged it may res ult in climate changes for Denmark, with an annual average temperature rise of about 3-degrees-C by the end of the next century precipitatio n may increase by 10-15%, and the relative sea-level rise between 30 a nd 50 cm. The immediate consequences for Denmark within the next centu ry may be so modest that they can be managed through planned adjustmen t, supported by technological development. A possible exception is the natural ecosystems, where climate change may be too rapid for the adj ustment of some animal and plant species; this may cause temporary ins tability and changes in the composition of species. Denmark is ecologi cally, politically, and economically, a small open system. Development in the rest of the world may therefore be decisive. Greenland and the Faroe Islands, where completely different conditions prevail, are not included in the evaluations in this paper.