Climate change in the U.S. Northeast

Transcription

1 Climate change in the U.S. Northeast By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 1,109 Killington Ski Resort is located in Vermont. As temperatures increase as a result of climate change, the ski season in the northeastern U.S. will not last as long. Photo by: Jim Kelly/Flickr Overview The Northeast is home to several large cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. Its large rural areas serve as important natural habitats and agricultural lands. Climate varies widely across the region and tends to be coldest in the north, at high elevations, and away from the coast. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

2 The Northeastern climate is experiencing big changes that are expected to intensify in the future. Between 1895 and 2011, temperatures rose by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Warming of 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 10 degrees Fahrenheit is expected by the 2080s. Heat waves are expected to increase and worsen. The total amount of rain and snow has also risen in the region, as has the frequency of heavy rain and snow events. Between 1958 and 2012, the Northeast saw more than a 70 percent increase in the amount of rainfall measured during heavy rain and snow events, more than in any other region in the United States. Continuing increases are expected. The timing of winter and spring weather could lead to drought in summer. Higher temperatures in the Northeast are likely to increase heat-related deaths and decrease air quality, especially in cities. People at greatest risk include young children, the elderly, and those with health conditions like asthma. Those who live alone or in poorer communities are also at increased risk. More demand for energy could also make air conditioning less effective during heat waves. This is because power grids could be overwhelmed, causing more frequent outages. Residents in cities may experience even warmer temperatures. Cities are much warmer because of dense populations, buildings, concrete, and human activity. This is called the urban heat island effect. Warmer and wetter conditions mean more ticks and mosquitoes. These insects can carry diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. More frequent extreme weather and flooding could increase the risk of injury or death, exposure to illnesses, and less clean water. The Impact On Precipitation And Sea Level Sea level rise and heavy rain and snow are expected to increase flooding and coastal erosion. This could cause damage to roads and bridges. Millions of people in the Northeast live near coastlines and river floodplains, where they are at greater risk. This map of New York City shows which areas could be flooded as sea levels rise. Areas in the 100-year flood zone, shown here, have a 1 percent chance of being flooded annually and are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. The 100-year flood zone includes several communities that were hit hard by Sandy in late October Map: GlobalChange.gov. [click to expand] During heavy rain and snow, sewer systems can overload. Many cities have combined sewer systems. They are designed to collect rainwater runoff, sewage from houses and buildings, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Usually, combined sewer systems transport all of this wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, where it is cleaned and deposited into a water body. However, if there is a great deal of rain or snow, the system can overload. Then, untreated sewage enters bodies of water used for recreation or drinking water, creating health risks. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 In the Northeast, sea level has risen by approximately 1 foot since 1900, which has caused more frequent flooding of coastal areas. Globally, sea level is projected to rise by 1 to 4 feet by the end of this century. In the Northeast, even higher sea level rise is possible. Sea level rise and coastal flooding are likely to cause a lot of damage. Economic implications would be large. In Boston, for example, the increase in flooding could cost up to $94 billion this century. The Impact On Farming, Fisheries Climate change is affecting farming in the Northeast. Heavy rain and snow can damage crops. Wetter springs can delay planting, resulting in later harvest and fewer usable crops. Longer, drier summers may reduce water availability and also reduce the quantity of crops produced. Warmer spring temperatures may be followed by cold snaps, causing frost damage. Meanwhile, warmer winters and longer growing seasons may increase pressure from weeds and pests. Large portions of the region may become unsuitable for growing fruits, like apples and blueberries, and other crops, like grain and soybeans. Warmer conditions harm animals like cows, reducing how much milk and how many calves they can produce. Warming temperatures could also increase costs. Fisheries are likely to be harmed by climate change. Many species will move north in search of cooler water. This shift in location is expected to cause local declines in species including lobster and cod. New diseases could also harm fish species. The Impact On Plants And Animals The Northeast is home to many plants and animals affected by climate change. The area where temperatures and climate conditions are just right for certain species is known as a species' range. Ranges of certain tree species are moving north and to higher elevations where temperatures are cooler. The range of important tree species is expected to shrink within the U.S. Their preferred climate will shift north into Canada. Warmer temperatures are also increasing outbreaks of forest pests and diseases. Growing deer populations have been eating too many plants. Invasive plants like kudzu have been expanding their range and hurting some ecosystems. Kudzu is an invasive plant species in the Northeast. That means it does not belong in the ecosystem. It can take over and hurt other plant species. It is spreading as the region gets warmer. Photo: Wikimedia. [click to expand] Temperature changes also influence the timing of important ecological events. Birds migrate sooner. Plants bloom and leaf earlier. Climate change and sea level rise are expected to harm coastal ecosystems. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 The Impact On Ice-Based Activities Winter recreational snow and ice activities generate about $7.6 billion for the Northeast annually. These activities include snow sports like skiing and snowmobiling and ice-based activities like ice fishing and skating. Increases in temperature could reduce snow cover and shorten winter snow seasons, limiting and altering these activities. For ski resorts to remain viable in the Northeast, the average length of the ski season should be at least 100 days. Otherwise, they would spend more money than they earn. Nights must also be cold enough to allow for artificial snowmaking. Some ski resorts in the region may need to close. By the end of the century, most resorts will be at risk because temperatures will become too warm. Resorts will need more artificial snowmaking. That requires additional water and energy and increases costs. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 Quiz 1 Which two of the following sentences from the article include central ideas of the article? 1. Climate varies widely across the region and tends to be coldest in the north, at high elevations, and away from the coast. 2. The Northeastern climate is experiencing big changes that are expected to intensify in the future. 3. Climate change is affecting farming in the Northeast. 4. Winter recreational snow and ice activities generate about $7.6 billion for the Northeast annually. (A) 1 and 3 (B) 2 and 3 (C) 1 and 4 (D) 2 and 4 2 Which statement would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article? (A) (B) (C) (D) Temperatures in the Northeast rose by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit between 1985 and People with asthma are at risk when air quality decreases. Climate change makes it harder to grow crops in the Northeast. Deer in the Northeast have been eating too many plants. 3 Read the paragraph from the section "The Impact On Farming, Fisheries." Fisheries are likely to be harmed by climate change. Many species will move north in search of cooler water. This shift in location is expected to cause local declines in species including lobster and cod. New diseases could also harm fish species. Which answer choice is the BEST definition of the word "declines" as used in the paragraph? (A) (B) (C) (D) decreases developments strengthening upgrades This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

6 4 Read the sentence from the section "The Impact On Plants And Animals." Warmer temperatures are also increasing outbreaks of forest pests and diseases. How does using the word "outbreak" affect the tone of the sentence? (A) (B) (C) (D) It conveys the sense that climate change is dangerous and harmful like a disease. It conveys a sense of scientific curiosity about climate change. It conveys a sense of urgency to find a cure for climate change. It conveys the sense that climate change should be treated in the same way we treat illness. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 6