Blog Post 11: "Climate Change"

(sigh) Well, I knew that I’d have to cover this eventually, or not at all. I’m honestly running out of topics to write about so just bare with me when I approach this controversial topic. I am treading very lightly when I write about this topic. Honestly, the thought of even searching for info on this topic is making me feel uneasy.

Just a little side note, if you believe in “global warming” or “climate change” or both or neither, I personally don’t care what you choose to believe with this topic. I’m not going to put my personal beliefs on you either, so don’t worry about that. Also, I am not claiming to know a lot about this subject. I am honestly more comfortable not even discussing it at all, but I needed a blog post. (sigh) Ok, here we go.

All the information within this post can be found at http://epa.gov/climatechange/.

“Climate change is a problem that is affecting people and the environment. Greater energy efficiency and new technologies hold promise for reducing greenhouse gases and solving this global challenge. The EPA's website provides information on climate change for communities, individuals, businesses, states, localities and governments.”

I am going to strictly stick to Health and Environmental effects of “climate change.”

“Throughout the world, the prevalence of some diseases and other threats to human health depend largely on local climate. Extreme temperatures can lead directly to loss of life, while climate-related disturbances in ecological systems, such as changes in the range of infective parasites, can indirectly impact the incidence of serious infectious diseases. In addition, warm temperatures can increase air and water pollution, which in turn harm human health.”

“Extreme weather effects can be destructive to human health and well-being. The extent to which climate change may affect the frequency and severity of these events, such as hurricanes and extreme heat and floods, is being investigated by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. An increase in the frequency of extreme events may result in more event-related deaths, injuries, infectious diseases, and stress-related disorders.”

“All regions of the world show an overall net negative impact of climate change on water resources and freshwater ecosystems. Areas in which runoff is projected to decline are likely to face a reduction in the value of the services provided by water resources. The beneficial impacts of increased annual runoff in other areas are likely to be tempered in some areas by negative effects of increased precipitation variability and seasonal runoff shifts on water supply, water quality and flood risks.”
“Higher water temperatures and changes in the timing, intensity, and duration of precipitation can affect water quality. Higher temperatures reduce dissolved oxygen levels, which can have an effect on aquatic life. Where streamflow and lake levels fall, there will be less dilution of pollutants; however, increased frequency and intensity of rainfall will produce more pollution and sedimentation.”