The Impacts of Climate Change

There are obviously a multitude of ways that climate change will effect the world around us, whether it be the shrinking of glaciers, the extinction of species, the pollution in our air, rising sea levels, and even agricultural impacts.  These pictures show two ways, agricultural and freshwater impacts, that will be affected with the continuation of our current climate change.

A projected look at how agriculture throughout the world will change 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Projected_impact_of_climate_change_on_agricultural_yields_by_the_2080s,_compared_to_2003_levels_(Cline,_2007).png

Threats for current freshwater supplies around the world

                                                  http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/global_warming/images/various_water_impacts.jpg

Climate Science Watch

     After looking more into Terry Root and Steve Schneider I came across this website, Climate Science Watch.  They are a nonprofit public education group and project that is said to hold officials accountable for effectively using climate research and dealing with the global climate disruption.  Their work primarily focuses on the U.S. and its national policy developments.
     Their website has categories for a multitude of links from archives of information and posts from previous months and years dating back as far as 2005, to different videos involving talks with different climate scientists such as Dr. Benjamin Santer.  There are also videos recording their participation with 350.org's Global Work Party for action on climate and another of James Hansen and Rick Piltz on CBS 60 Minutes.  On a sidebar from the main page of the site you can be directed to a list of different categories from activism, to mitigation or adaptation, to the Obama Administration and even climate science censorship.

GAP. "Climate Science Watch | Promoting integrity in the use of climate science in government." Climate Science Watch | Promoting integrity in the use of climate science in government. G.A.P. - Government Accountability Program, n.d. Web. 12 May 2013. <http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/>.

Climate Models

    There are many different climate models and simulations that are made as future predictions to see how our everyday global choices will affect the future climate.  Different parameters are used and varied throughout trials to see how changes will play out through the years. Chapter 9 of Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis is all about projections of future climate change.  Throughout the chapter there is a review of past reports and how well they predicted the future as well as climate forcing and climate responses.  Later on there are a multitude of projections of climate change that were made with various models and variables.  Finally there is a summary of what the predictions for the future are as well as their appendix and references.





Cubasch, U., and Coauthors, 2001: Projections of future climate change. Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis, J. T. Houghton et al., Eds., Cambridge University Press, 525–582.

Earth's Health

     The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is setting up monitor stations that will take snapshot of different locations throughout the country in order to measure the health of different ecosystems.  By doing this scientists will be able to better monitor how different factors influence the ecosystems and how they are doing so.  They believe that by doing this they will be able to understand more about global warming and it's affects on different areas with the least amount of natural interference as possible.
     By 2017 the network is set to be fully operational and provide research information for up to thirty years. There will be recording stations at 106 different sites, 60 on lands and 46 at sea, each equipped with various sensors.

Source:  How's Earth's Health?

Main, Douglas. " Network Will Track Ecosystem Health | LiveScience ."Science News – Science Articles and Current Events | LiveScience . OurAmazingPlanet, 22 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. <http://www.livescience.com/28933-national-ecology-network.html>.

Massachusetts and Climate Change

Climate change is a global phenomenon that is sure to cause a disruption in the normal way of doing things in the coming years.  As the amount of greenhouse gases increases and global warming continues there is going to be a change throughout the world for its climates.  Here in Massachusetts there are a multitude of different impacts that are going to eventually change the way we live from winter sports, to coastal economy, and the seasons that we are known for.

Climate Change in Massachusetts
Impacts	Description / Explanation
Average Annual Temperature Increase	Northeast has been increasing by 0.5% per decade; Reducing snow cover, diminishing fall foliage, driving out native species, increasing invasive species
Winter Temperature Increase	Rising more than twice as fast as annual averages; 4⁰ warmer on average since 1965; Less precipitation as snow (affects economy - shorter ski season)
Average Sea Surface Temperature Rise	Due to carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases; 2012 highest since 1854, above 51⁰; Decline in marine species (cod, right wales); Warm waters increase lobsters( Lower market price)
Ocean Acidification	Due to added carbon dioxide; Decline in marine species (cod, lobsters, right wales, scallops); Fish abnormalities; Reduce plant life
Rising Sea Levels	Rising around the globe; Changes in Ocean Circulation; MA loses average of 65 acres a year; Devastate coastal communities; Destroy treasured landmarks; Freshwater wetlands destroyed; Local wildlife washed out; Marshlands destroyed (No wave buffer, wildlife habitat, or pollutant filter)
Extreme and Severe Weather	Extreme downpours and snowfalls increased by 85% since 1948; Intense precipitation as well as longer dry spells
Lower Snowfall Levels	Amount of snow is declining; less snow falls overall and earlier snowmelt
Drought Stress	Tress become more stressed losing autumn vibrancy; More vulnerable to fire; compromise jobs in multiple industries
Driving Out Native Species	Temperature changes cause locations of native species to move; Move to suitable habitat
Increasing Invasive Species	Insects normally kept in check from cold will be able to expand more; Invasive plants move in
Change in Tree Species Composition	Suitable habitat for species will change causing the native trees to change their locations in order to thrive
Streams	Affected by trees which control erosion, cool waters, and provide food sources; May affect brook trout and Atlantic salmon; Timing and extent of stream flows affected
Loss of Brook Trout/Atlantic Salmon	Affect New England economy of freshwater fishing
Shoreline Change	Due to rising sea levels; Acceleration of erosion; Threaten estuaries and salt marshes
Extreme Heat	Increase in number of hot days in large cities; Vulnerable populations such as small children, elderly, and poor at risk for heat stress, heart attack, and death
Air Quality	Air pollution from smog and ground ozone; Cardiovascular and respiratory disease stress; Poor air quality days increase; Accelerate pollen production; Extend allergy season, increase asthma risk
Agricultural Impacts	Decrease in milk production due to heat stress;  Decrease in crop yields due to rising temperatures, prolonged heat
Winter Recreation	Snowfall decline; Less lake ice; Shorter ski season; Increase snowmaking; Higher operating costs
Season Change	Spring arriving sooner; Summers growing hotter; Winters warmer and less snowy
Summer	Average temp rise; higher heat index and humidity; Expanded season; Summer weather arriving earlier
Fall	Increasing temperatures; Delay in arrival; reduced stream flow
Winter	Recreational changes; Less snow and more rain
Spring	Arriving sooner; Ending earlier; Disruption of plant and animal life cycles; Damage due to extreme precipitation

"Massachusetts Climate Choices in the Northeast: Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment." Climate Choices. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://www.climatechoices.org/assets/documents/climatechoices/massachuetts_necia.pdf>.

Markey, Edward. "The New New England; As Historic Storm Approaches New England, Rep. Markey Releases Report on Climate Change’s Effects on Region." Welcome to The House Committee on Natural Resources - Democrats - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey | The House Committee on Natural Resources - Democrats - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey. Natural Resources Committee, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://democrats.naturalresources.house.gov/press-release/historic-storm-approaches-new-england-rep-markey-releases-report-climate-change-s>.

"The Changing Northeast Climate." Climate Choices. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/global_warming/The-Changing-Northeast-Climate.pdf>.