Kliimastress

Kliimastress is a term used to describe the pressure exerted on natural and human systems by climate change and climate variability. It encompasses stresses caused by extreme weather events as well as gradual changes in temperature, precipitation and sea level. In Estonian-language discourse, kliimastress is used similarly to the broader concept of climate stress to describe how climate conditions strain resources, infrastructure and health, and it appears in climate science, risk assessments and adaptation planning.

Causes of kliimastress include the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and floods, stronger storms, and sea level rise. These changes can strain water, energy and food systems, disrupt supply chains, and affect ecosystems. Urban areas experience additional stress from heat islands and aging infrastructure, while rural regions may face stress on agriculture and water supply.

Impacts of kliimastress span health risks, such as heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases, as well as threats to food and water security, damage to buildings and transport networks, higher energy demand, economic losses, and potential displacement. The severity of impacts depends on exposure, vulnerability and the capacity to adapt.

Assessment and monitoring of kliimastress use indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, including heat stress measures, drought indices, flood risk and water stress indicators. Vulnerability is often higher in arid and coastal regions, small island developing states and low-income communities, where systems are less able to absorb shocks.

Adaptation and resilience-building aim to reduce kliimastress through measures such as cooling and shade strategies, resilient water and food systems, green and blue infrastructure, climate-smart urban and rural planning, diversified energy and food supplies, and robust early warning and emergency response capabilities.