September 2, 2021 It’s no secret that Earth’s climate has changed throughout history. However, the current warming trend of climate change is particularly significant because most of it is the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and is proceeding to increase at an unprecedented rate. Extreme Events- Wildfires are raging rampantly worldwide, hurricanes are reaching higher frequency and intensity, and the seasons are shifting. Fall, winter, and spring seasons are growing shorter while the summer season extends into the cooler months, and North American winters are losing snow and ice as a result of this. Warming Ocean-More than 90 percent of the warming that has occurred on Earth over the past 50 years has occurred in the ocean. Combined with water from melting glaciers on land, the rising sea threatens natural ecosystems and human structures near coastlines around the world. Precipitation Patterns – More spring and winter precipitation is projected for the northern United States, and less for the Southwest. In many places, people depend on precipitation for agriculture, water supplies, energy, and the conservation of ecosystems. Droughts and Heat Waves – Extreme heat events are responsible for more deaths annually than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning, and earthquakes combined. With an increase in annual temperature, the threat of heat escalates. Both droughts and heat waves greatly impact the growth of new plants and trees. Regional Impacts – In the United States, the entire country will undergo changes caused by climate change. The Northeast is expected to have heatwaves, heavy downpours, and a rising sea level that will challenge infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems. In the Northwest, an increase in wildfires, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases could cause widespread tree die-off. The Southeast has a threat of sea level rising, which threatens the region’s economy and environment. The Midwest faces extreme heat, heavy downpours, and flooding that pose a risk to infrastructure, health, agriculture, forestry, transportation, and air quality. The Southwest will undergo increased heat, drought, insect outbreaks, and wildfires. The health impact in cities due to heat is another concern. Extinction of species- While extinction is a natural phenomenon, experts suggest we’re facing a mass extinction – the sixth in history. Scientists estimate that dozens of plant and animals species go extinct every day, and by mid-century, as many as 30 to 50 percent of the total species on Earth will have disappeared. We’re Here to Help While global warming and climate change poses real and life-altering changes, we are here to keep your trees, plants, and landscape in prime health, no matter what the weather. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.
