Lee Dye wrote an article for ABC News that made me realize that it might be time to start figuring out how we are going to adapt to climate change, since it is here now, and we may not be able to stop it. The article, It May Be Too Late to Stop Global Warming, explains that trying to stop the emission of greenhouses gases in any meaningful way is just not going to stop climate change completely. It does say that we should try the best we can, because even if we can't stop it, we can at least lessen some of the effects. Then when I saw that the EPA has a page dedicated to adapting to climate change, I realized it is something we should discuss.
The EPA page breaks it down by region: midwest, northeast, etc, or by sector: agriculture, coasts, ecosystems, etc. In general, each region will have trouble with high temperatures and either drought or flooding, and coastlines will experience erosion and loss of beaches. I urge you to go to the EPA website and get more details about the area where you live. Below are quick predictions for the sectors.
AGRICULTURE: Crops may be damaged by the extreme heat, floods, and drought. Crops not affected by those factors may actually grow faster due to the higher levels of carbon dioxide and to moderate heat increases in some areas. If you work in agriculture, or just want more information, please go to this page to learn more.
COASTS: There may be an increase in coastal flooding, erosion, and pollution. Marine life will be negatively affected by the warmer temperatures and increased acidity. Storms will occur more often, be more intense, and have more precipitation. If you live, or work, in a coastal area please check out this page to learn more.
ECOSYSTEMS: Plants and animals everywhere are going to be affected by the change in the climate. Some will handle it better than others. Species living in the arctic and in the mountains will be hit hardest as they tend to be the most sensitive. If you work with wildlife, or are a nature-lover, please click here for more information.
ENERGY: We will start to see people using more energy in the summer to cool houses and less energy in the winter to heat them. We may see more power outages due to the rising sea level, and the more frequent and intense storms. Go to this page for more information.
FORESTS: Increased carbon dioxide can lead to increased growth in some areas, but negative effects where there will be increased drought. Drought and increased temperature will lead to worse and more frequent forest fires. We may also see more outbreaks of devastating insect activity. If you work in the forest industry, or live in a forested area please go here for more information.
HUMAN HEALTH: The hotter the temperature means the more ozone that is in the air, which makes it harder to breathe for people with asthma and other respiratory issues. There will also be an increase in heat-related health issues like heat stroke and dehydration. Floods, droughts, and storms can also negatively impact health and safety, and there will be an increase in the frequency and severity of all those events. If you work in the health industry, or are concerned about future health risks, you can find more information here.
INTERNATIONAL: Developing countries will suffer more from the changes than developed countries. Changes in other countries could actually have an impact on the US's national security, and the security of other nations. If you are concerned about the effects world-wide or the impact on national security, more information can be found here.
SOCIETY: People who will be affected the most will be the young, elderly, sick, poor, and those living in vulnerable areas. Cities will affected more than rural areas, as cities absorb more heat and can feel the effects of storms more strongly. I encourage EVERYONE to read more on this topic.
TRANSPORTATION: The increased temperature, severe storms, flooding and storm surge will damage roadways, bridges, subways, railways, and other means of transportation. This is another topic that everyone could benefit from reading more.
WATER RESOURCES: Some areas, like Nevada, will experience an increase in water demand but a shortage in supply. Other areas, like New York City, will have issues with flooding and the rise in sea level. The quality of water may decrease as salt water intrudes upon fresh water. For more information on the water resources where you live, click here.
ECOSYSTEMS: Plants and animals everywhere are going to be affected by the change in the climate. Some will handle it better than others. Species living in the arctic and in the mountains will be hit hardest as they tend to be the most sensitive. If you work with wildlife, or are a nature-lover, please click here for more information.
ENERGY: We will start to see people using more energy in the summer to cool houses and less energy in the winter to heat them. We may see more power outages due to the rising sea level, and the more frequent and intense storms. Go to this page for more information.
FORESTS: Increased carbon dioxide can lead to increased growth in some areas, but negative effects where there will be increased drought. Drought and increased temperature will lead to worse and more frequent forest fires. We may also see more outbreaks of devastating insect activity. If you work in the forest industry, or live in a forested area please go here for more information.
HUMAN HEALTH: The hotter the temperature means the more ozone that is in the air, which makes it harder to breathe for people with asthma and other respiratory issues. There will also be an increase in heat-related health issues like heat stroke and dehydration. Floods, droughts, and storms can also negatively impact health and safety, and there will be an increase in the frequency and severity of all those events. If you work in the health industry, or are concerned about future health risks, you can find more information here.
INTERNATIONAL: Developing countries will suffer more from the changes than developed countries. Changes in other countries could actually have an impact on the US's national security, and the security of other nations. If you are concerned about the effects world-wide or the impact on national security, more information can be found here.
SOCIETY: People who will be affected the most will be the young, elderly, sick, poor, and those living in vulnerable areas. Cities will affected more than rural areas, as cities absorb more heat and can feel the effects of storms more strongly. I encourage EVERYONE to read more on this topic.
TRANSPORTATION: The increased temperature, severe storms, flooding and storm surge will damage roadways, bridges, subways, railways, and other means of transportation. This is another topic that everyone could benefit from reading more.
WATER RESOURCES: Some areas, like Nevada, will experience an increase in water demand but a shortage in supply. Other areas, like New York City, will have issues with flooding and the rise in sea level. The quality of water may decrease as salt water intrudes upon fresh water. For more information on the water resources where you live, click here.
There are many changes coming our way. How severe they will be depends on where you live, and what we have done to mitigate climate change. By lessening greenhouses gases we can make climate change less severe. Right now we need to educate ourselves, so that we can prepare, survive, and hopefully, be part of the solution. Thank you to the US Environmental Protection Agency, and to similar agencies around the world, for providing information and working to protect us and the world we live in.
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