Coral Reefs in Decline

Climate Change Affecting Corals

We often picture coral reefs to be a lush, colorful habitat for thousands of marine organisms. But we're starting to witness that this is not the norm in most cases for coral reefs.

Picture source:www.unesco.org

Although climate change is not the sole reason coral reefs are declining, it is one reason for the changing environment that these corals live in that they need to survive. When the water absorbs heat from the rays, it warms. When coral reef waters are heated beyond their normal temperature levels, this affects the corals that live there. Most corals are very sensitive to their surroundings and these water temperature changes often result in a condition called "bleaching" which causes the corals to turn white (below picture). This often results in death and the inability for the coral reef to return. 

Picture source: www.noaanews.noaa.gov 

These kinds of deserted coral reefs are becoming more and more common as human impacts continue to negatively affect the corals. Many reports have been made stating the decline of coral reefs around the world. And this has been occurring since the 1970's, but it seems to be increasing in rate as our climate changes and our actions (like dumping sewage into the oceans) continue to injure some of the most beautiful areas on the planet.

Sources:

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/threats-to-the-reef/climate-change/what-does-this-mean-for-habitats/coral-reefs

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Coral/coral2.php

Climate Change Effects on Agriculture

Climate Change Effecting Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the major back bones to our country and one that we are forever dependent on. We receive the majority of our food from the crops we grow and of those that we buy from other parts of the world. In the last several decades, we have been working with crop varieties of many sorts and working on ways to develop stronger, higher producing crops.

Picture credit: www.exploreminnesota.com

But as climate change continues to affect our planet, our crops are suffering the same effects. Changes in temperature, carbon dioxide emissions, and the intensity of extreme weather conditions that we have been experiencing (in some places more than others) can have huge impacts on the yields of agricultural crops. Each crop type will be affected differently and only time will tell what those will be and how they will impact human food supply.

Crops have always been dependent upon the climate and with the drastic changes occurring with our climate today and the effects that come with climate changes, our crops are likely to have a tough future ahead. 

The thing with climate change is that although we are helping to alter it every day, we are turn hurting the systems that support us from the most basic sense. If we are striving for a better future and to be more successful, shouldn't we start by fixing our mistake? Helping to fix a wrong that we have unintentionally caused? It will be a long process with a lot of work but isn't it worth it?

Sources: 

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/agriculture.html#impactscrops

http://www.climate.org/topics/agriculture.html

Rising Sea Levels Drowning Coasts

Climate Change Giving Rise to Sea Levels

As climate change continues to affect our planet, we're seeing evidence of rising sea levels due to the melting of the Arctics. A study done in October of 2014, released by the Union of Concerned Scientists predict that by 2045, 17 out of 52 locations (analyzed by the Union of Concerned Scientists) on the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States will have severe flooding problems.

The researchers used information from the National Climate Assessment on sea level rise projections to help with their predictions. Some of these flooding areas can be expected to triple in the frequency of high-tide floods in the next 15 years. Climate change can be seen as an effect of this since there has been a recorded increase of 8 inches in sea level since pre-industrial times. This rate is only going to increase with time. With much research done by many organizations on this flooding occurrence to support the findings, communities in these coastal areas need to start preparing to see much more flooding.

Picture source: thinkprogress.org

As the above picture shows, this is an estimate of how the U.S. coastal areas will appear if all the ice were to melt. As you can see, Florida is completely under water along with the Eastern and Southern coasts. If this were to happen, it would affect many of the most populated areas in the U.S.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/sea-level-rise_n_5951472.html

Melting Arctics Threatening Polar Bear Population

Polar Bear Population Declining due to Melting Arctics

 As climate change continues to occur on our planet and increase temperatures in certain areas on the world, it continues to play a devastating role in the Arctic pole. The Arctic area is an important biome for many species, especially for polar bears, who depend on the ice sheets to make its living. As temperatures in the Arctic increase, the environment for these animals continues to decrease and effect the population of the species.

Picture credit: www.examiner.com

In 2008, polar bears were put on the Endangered Species Act because of the melting sea ice. Studies have been done on the populations since then with some of the studies showing an population increase in some areas and a decrease in others. The main issue here is that there is a greatly declining amount of sea ice during the late summer, which leaves the polar bears with less time for hunting time on the ice.

Picture credit: myearthprints.com

A 2014 study on the polar bear populations showed a 40% decrease in the populations between 2001 and 2010. It is clear that the ice melt has had a drastic effect on the polar bears. This is not a problem that can be fixed by putting limits on hunting, but one of limiting our pollution emissions. This issue will not be solved unless we change our ways. If not, this population may just become extinct.

Sources:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/polar-bear-population-decline-a-wake-up-call-for-climate-change-action

http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/polar-bear.aspx

Ozone Layer and Human Health

The Ozone and You!

We have all heard of climate change and the ozone hole. We know that what is happening is not good for our planet, the many species and organisms that live here, or us. With every day, pollution on our planet increases and causes further problems with our ozone layer, climate, and our health.

The pollution that is occurring is a combination of chlorine and bromine, which is helping to deteriorate the ozone layer. In doing so, ultraviolet B rays are allowed to reach Earth's surface in large amounts. These ultraviolet rays cause skin cancer and cataracts to humans. Scientists estimate that by 2050, the U.S. population will see a 10% increase in skin cancer. Needless to say, sunscreen is a must.

As well as depleting our ozone, which means less protection from UV rays, we're also trapping harmful smogs and pollutants underneath the ozone. When we breathe in these chemicals, this can lead to further health problems including, but not limited to, lung cancer.

With all these occurring health problems and increasing pollution, we can expect to see more cases of health problems in future years unless we decide to take a stand and help save our planet by reducing our pollution emissions.

Picture credit: www.momscleanairforce.org

Sources:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/

http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/health.html

http://www.who.int/globalchange/summary/en/index7.html