January 2023 Study's Prediction on Global Glacier Change in the Next One Hundred Years (also, icebreaking NN's haitus)

After an extended hiatus, thank you to everyone who is still here and welcome back to Nature Nimbus. 

To break the ice, let's start with sharing a bit of research on a new study on the fate of the world's glaciers.

Global Glacier Change in the Next One Hundred Years

A study published on January 5th of this year in the journal Science estimates that there will be substantially more loss of glaciers in the next century than predicted by previous models. David R. Rounce and his team predict that this figure may look like one quarter to one half of glacier masses on the planet may melt within the next 100 years.

Chris Mooney of the Washington post writes:

"The study, published Thursday in the journal Science, finds that even with just 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming above preindustrial levels, some 104,000 of the world’s more than 215,000 mountain glaciers and ice caps will melt, raising global sea levels by a little shy of 4 inches." (Mooney, 2023)

As many people already know, glaciers are giant, ancient masses of ice. Their melt provides water, and they are so massive that whether they stay frozen or they melt significant impacts sea levels, and has implications for availability of drinking water.

The term "pre-industrial climate" could technically refer to any point in time before the industrial revolution. Left undefined, this can make for a bit of a difficult point of reference to work with because measurements of temperature available before the industrial revolution are limited. However, a study may choose to declare a more specific time range, such as an IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C using 1850–1900 as a point of reference pre-industrial temperature explaining,"[1850-1900] is the earliest period with near-global observations and is the reference period used as an approximation of pre-industrial temperatures in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report" (IPCC, n.d.).

Further, "1.5 degrees Celsius of warming" refers to the total average temperature around the whole world, not in one smaller, more local place. This is why in spite of global warming, there can still be very intense winter storms with changing climate. Some places are warming faster than others. Predicting what effects this could have on local weather events for example can be very difficult, though many people around the world have experienced a change in climate and lived through more severe weather events than expected.

The COP21 Paris agreement in 2015 had made the goal of preventing 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming globally, though if temperatures continue to rise at the rate that they currently are, this goal will not be met (IPCC, n.d.).

A Recent Student's Perspective

Something that struck me as a student in an environmental program was the emphasis on climate resilience. I had expected much more emphasis on combating climate change itself, but instead the message I found was that one of the most critical ways civil engineers and technicians can help is to design and build infrastructure in a way helps communities accommodates expected changes in climate.

While this message could received as resignation, a more fruitful approach may be to see it as adaptation. Although it is too late to change our past choices, there is still much good that can be done when we are resolved to do the best we can to manage the cards still in our hand.

Sources

IPCC. (n.d.). FAQ Chapter 1. Global Warming of 1.5 ºC. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from 

https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/faq/faq-chapter-1/ 

Mooney, C. (2023, January 8). Half of Earth's glaciers could melt even if key warming goal is met, 

study says. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/01/05/glaciers-melt-this-century-warming/ 

Bringing the Cooling Effects of Aerosols Down To Earth

Next up in what has become mini-series of "is air pollution still a big problem"...

New research shows that aerosol pollution offsets the heating effects of greenhouse gas pollution to a much more significant degree (no pun intended) than originally thought.

As aerosol particles collectively block out sunlight, they have a cooling effect. Because of this, if today we suddenly stopped all forms of air pollution, Earth's atmosphere would get even hotter.

aerosols: While "aerosol" is often used in everyday conversation to describe canned products like hairspray, it also refers to tiny particles suspended in the air.

If you are at a construction site and see dirt being stirred up, you are seeing an example of aerosols. Large amounts of aerosols from volcanic eruptions are one suspected cause of a "little ice age" in the past (Parry, 2012).

Aerosols can also pose direct threat to human health. (Marvel)

Why

Heat-trapping greenhouse gasses remain in the atmosphere longer than aerosols which have a cooling effect. If all air pollution came to a sudden stop we would quickly lose the cooling aerosols, but not the heating greenhouse gasses so quickly. This would allow the GHGs (greenhouse gasses) to have a more full heating effect.

According to the international team of scientists who did the calculations, the difference would be about 0.5 to 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer. (Samset et al., 2018)

Implications

The report highlighted in the summary that "to keep within 1.5 or 2° of global warming, we need massive reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, aerosol emissions will be strongly reduced.... This means that it does not only matter whether or not we reach international climate targets. It also matters how we get there."

The report also mentions that the Northern hemisphere is especially sensitive to aerosol removal because of the location they are being emitted from. Also, more precipitation could be expected in places making significant reductions, as aerosols have a drying effect.

In an interview with Yale Environment 360, Bjorn H. Samset, lead author of the report made clear that he does not want the findings to be taken as encouragement to go ahead with intentionally spraying more aerosols into the atmosphere, likening its uncertain consequences to Russian Roulette. (Schiffman, 2018)

Bringing it Down to Earth

"This means that it does not only matter whether or not we reach international climate targets. It also matters how we get there." (Samset et al., 2018)

The headlines surrounding the findings may be surprising, but the average North American carbon footprint is way beyond having to reconsider reducing pollution. The evidence still points to greenhouse gases as a serious problem, and aerosols themselves pose their own threat to human health. (Marvel)

However, this information can help illustrate the different benefits between making needed cutbacks in consumption, and actively increasing carbon sinks.

carbon sink: Natural systems that absorb carbon dioxide. This includes trees and other plants, oceans, and soil. (Thompson, 2012)

carbon sequestration: The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide, namely from the atmosphere. (USGS). This term often references natural processes, but can also refer to artificial ones.

ecological footprint: A metric used to illustrate how much biologically productive land is needed to support a person or group's lifestyle or consumption. (Global Footprint Network, 2018) Carbon footprint is the amount of that land is needed to sequester the resulting carbon emissions, though it can alternatively refer to tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted as a result.

These findings give a pat on the back to the benefits of conservation and increasing green space. Many innovative and handy products are making reusing and making cutbacks more convenient, but activities like increasing green spaces and enhancing carbon sequestration holds special value in their own right.

So what are some ways to help conserve, expand, and enhance green spaces?

Physically planting trees and other plants is one way, as well as supporting conservation initiatives locally and globally through organizations like WWF. Also, reducing or eliminating meat consumption reduces the amount of land space required to grow foods that are used to feed livestock.

In the end, when it comes to cutting our CO2 and making sure there are lots of trees, both are needed (PIK Press), and there are many things we can do to improve in to both "cutting the carbon", and actively increase its sequestration.

Sources

Global Footprint Network. (2018, December). Climate change and the Ecological Footprint and carbon footprint. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.footprintnetwork.org/2017/11/09/ecological-footprint-climate-change/

Marvel, K. (n.d.). Ask The New York Times. Retrieved April 2, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/ask/answers/what-are-aerosols-particulates-role-in-climate-change

Parry, W. (2012, January 30). Volcanoes May Have Sparked Little Ice Age. Retrieved April 1, 2019, from https://www.livescience.com/18205-ice-age-volcanoes-sea-ice.html

PIK Press. (2017, May 18). Climate stabilization: Planting trees cannot replace cutting CO2 emissions. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/climate-stabilization-planting-trees-cannot-replace-cutting-co2-emissions

Samset, B. H., Sand, M., Smith, C. J., Bauer, S. E., Forster, P. M., Fuglestvedt, J. S., . . . Schleussner, C. (2018, January 24). Climate Impacts From a Removal of Anthropogenic Aerosol Emissions. Retrieved March 3, 2019, from https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017GL076079

Schiffman, R. (2018, March 8). How Air Pollution Has Put a Brake on Global Warming. Retrieved March 3, 2019, from https://e360.yale.edu/features/air-pollutions-upside-a-brake-on-global-warming

Thompson, A. (2012, December 21). What is a Carbon Sink? Retrieved April 1, 2019, from https://www.livescience.com/32354-what-is-a-carbon-sink.html

USGS. (n.d.). What is carbon sequestration? Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-carbon-sequestration?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products

Title Edited January 2020

'Climate Change' vs 'Global Warming'

      "How is there global warming if it is snowing in Hawaii?"

      "I don't remember winters in Ontario being this cold before. Does this mean global warming is not a problem anymore?"

These are not bad questions. Often the terms 'climate change' and 'global warming' seem to be used interchangeably; they both are typically brought up in the context of human activities harming the natural environment and messing with temperature. This has led some to think that these are just two different terms that mean the same thing.

However, while both have to do with the the way human activities and carbon emissions are affecting our planet, they actually have different meanings. So what's the difference?

Global Warming

"[The] phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries" - Britannica.com

      If you measured the temperature in different places all over the world, all that data might not necessarily tell you whether or not you'll need a warmer jacket for life in your hometown. However, with enough representative points of data, you could use it to calculate the Earth's overall average temperature.
     The increase in the Earth's overall average surface temperature is what we call Global Warming.
     Considering how since the industrial revolution there has been so much more production, more cars, and fewer trees to filter carbon dioxide out of the air, it's easy for many people to picture the greenhouse effect increasing the planet's average temperature.
     But then how do colder temperatures in some places come into play?

Climate Change

"Climate change occurs when long-term weather patterns are altered — for example, through human activity. Global warming is one measure of climate change..." - davidsuzuki.org (italics added)

While weather is short-term atmospheric conditions, climate describes an area's normal, long-term weather patterns. For example, a desert may have rainy weather for a day, but it does not have a wet climate, and only a certain amount of rain would be reasonably expected.
    From area to area, "normal" climate will mean something different. It's normal to have snow in Alaska, but much hotter weather is normal in LA. Therefore, a "change" in climate can mean different things in different places. A specific area's climate change may not necessarily be manifested as cool-to-hot, but it can cause extreme weather events to increase in general.
     Even human infrastructure is designed based on predictable ranges of day-to-day weather that the region might be expected to experience, with some margin for error. However, climate systems are very complex, so different areas are experiencing problems because their infrastructure was not designed for what is becoming current conditions.

      We might not be able to observe global warming directly in our own backyards, but we still could perceive climate change through a lot of weird weather lately.
      So if you happen to be on a coast where the waterline has risen far past your favourite spot, feel free to shake your head at global warming. Conversely, if you happen to be in Hawaii and you find it has been cold enough to be snowing at oddly low elevations, you can go ahead and blame climate change.

Updated 2019-03-17

Resources

Kennedy, C., & Lindsey, R. (2015, June 17). What's the difference between global warming and climate change? Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/whats-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-changeLam, K. (2019, February 12). 

There's 'no place on the planet' – not even Hawaii – to escape climate change, experts say. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/02/11/hawaii-extreme-weather-example-climate-change-experts/2843281002/Selin, H., & Mann, M. E. (2019, January 30).

Global warming. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/science/global-warming

What is climate change? (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/what-is-climate-change/

What's in a name? Weather, global warming and climate change. (2019, February 06). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming/

Kennedy, C., & Lindsey, R. (2015, June 17). What's the difference between global warming and climate change? Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/whats-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-change

Lam, K. (2019, February 12). There's 'no place on the planet' – not even Hawaii – to escape climate change, experts say. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/02/11/hawaii-extreme-weather-example-climate-change-experts/2843281002/

Selin, H., & Mann, M. E. (2019, January 30). Global warming. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/science/global-warming

What is climate change? (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/what-is-climate-change/

What's in a name? Weather, global warming and climate change. (2019, February 06). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming/

Kennedy, C., & Lindsey, R. (2015, June 17). What's the difference between global warming and climate change? Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/whats-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-change

Lam, K. (2019, February 12). There's 'no place on the planet' – not even Hawaii – to escape climate change, experts say. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/02/11/hawaii-extreme-weather-example-climate-change-experts/2843281002/

Selin, H., & Mann, M. E. (2019, January 30). Global warming. Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/science/global-warming

What is climate change? (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/what-is-climate-change/

What's in a name? Weather, global warming and climate change. (2019, February 06). Retrieved February 25, 2019, from https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming/

Snowfall In Hawaii at Possibly the Lowest Elevation Yet

Historic news has come with a winter storm, as Hawaii State Park is has been hit with snowfall for the first time in recorded history.

It is normal for snow to be seen at the tops of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa which peak at altitudes of summit elevations of 4207m and 4169m respectively, not a mere 1890m, which is about the elevation of Polipoli which has experienced snow.

According to USA today, Chip Fletcher, an earth sciences prof at University of Hawaii, has said "there's no place on the planet where (people) can expect to see conditions as they have seen in the past." Fletcher is also the vice chair of the Honolulu Climate Change Commission.

Hawaii is a dream vacation spot for many especially as a winter getaway, and it is possible that snowfall has not been seen at this elevation before in Hawaii.

Resources:
https://twentytwowords.com/snow-fallen-hawaii-state-park-first-time-ever/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/02/11/hawaii-extreme-weather-example-climate-change-experts/2843281002/
https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/3818-mauna-kea-access-road.html
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mauna_Loa
http://time.com/5528417/hawaii-snow-storm-polipoli-state-park/

History in the Storeys of Sediments in an Ontario Lake

Hi guys, hope everything is having a great summer in the northern hemisphere/winter if you are in the south.

Just wanted to share some local news from Ontario on the research side of things, as the Weather Network reported that a team of researchers believes they may have found a treasure trove of environmental history at the bottom of a lake, which happens to be right here in Ontario!

What they're looking for is a way to examine what might have been a turning point due to human activity, changing the way our planet operates on a significant level.

Francine McCarthy, who is leading the research team, explained that Crawford Lake is an ideal place to be taking samples because nothing lives as the bottom, as the lake is 22 meters deep and anoxic, (anoxic meaning there is little to no oxygen).

If you have ever explored the Niagara escarpment, chances are the stones rocked your world. These are not only parts of the habitat beautiful to the eye, but over time they also can tell a story. McCarthy explained that over summers, pieces from the rocks bordering the escarpment will sink to the bottom. This creates layers of information-containing organic matter that can be analyzed like the rings of a tree.

The goal is to get some insight on just how much human activities have affected the environment, as these layers can help tell the story of what has happened globally through those years.

Specific information they are looking for includes amounts of materials related to human activities such as plutonium and microplastics. These can serve as something measurable to help with defining the start of the anthropocene, marking when humans really did take over the planet.

Source:
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/team-of-researchers-from-ontario-believe-a-turning-point-in-earths-history-is-sitting-in-a-lake-in-milton-brock-carleton-mcmaster-university-sediment-crawford-lake/109666

Breathing Earth: A sobering map visualizer

http://www.breathingearth.net/

This one really drives home the reality of overpopulation and the carbon footprint humanity is leaving.

Soggy Soccery Sympton: Changing Climate Affecting Soccer, Cricket, and Golf Games in UK

The change in climate has been affecting sport enthusiasts in soccer, cricket, and golf whose playing-scapes have been made too soggy to play on, and rising sea levels from melting ice in Greenland to the Himalayas are causing the erosion of coastal golf courses in Scotland.

The Weather Network posted a Reuters report yesterday that mentioned six out of the seven wettest years on record in the UK have been since the year 2000. Piers Forster who is a professor of climate change at University of Leeds contributed to the study told International News Agency, Reuters, "Britain is particularly susceptible to storms coming in from the North Atlantic."

Image A: Image credit: GISS NASA / Jack Cool, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The above illustration shows the flow of the North Atlantic current, its branches, and the flow of water it crosses paths with off the coast of UK.

Despite all these things that may pique curiosity for climate geeks and potential research project on the horizon, clearly not everyone feels the same way about this information:

Ok, I'll admit a cry of "the soccer fields are soggy" sounds trivial on its own and may cause flashbacks of schoolkids disappointed with the "tarmack-only" recesses.

And to be honest I don't even like golf. (There, I said it.)

Nevertheless there is a point to acknowledging this. It just seems like an interesting climate-related observation that everyday people like you and I might actually be seeing. If you or I frequented such fields, and that is assuming you are an 'everyday person' like me which might not be true in this context, but anywho... you probably get where I'm going with this. It's readily observable, and helps contributes details to an ever-so-slightly bigger-picture perspective.

Sources
News: https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/soccer-cricket-and-golf-handicapped-by-uk-climate-change/95195/
Image A: GISS NASA / Jack Cool, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/legrande_01/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:North_Atlantic_Circulation.gif
Image B: Under GNU Free Documentation Licence
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Circulacion_termohalina.jpg

A big fan

I'm very much for renewable energy, but more solar than wind because the side effects of wind turbines are concerning.

You could say I'm not a big fan.

Badum-cha.

Cineplex Offering Free Download of "An Inconvenient Truth" Today Only

Hey guys. So usually there isn't much promotional stuff on the blog but I received an email notice today that for the 10th anniversary of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" they are offering free digital downloads of the documentary.

http://store.cineplex.com/store/htmlContent.jsp?contentType=an-inconvenient-truth&ex=20160524_Email_Newsletter_-_-_Movie-Guide_-_Free-Giveaway_-_LP 

In a way the celebratory gift to new and existing members also goes along to promote Cineplex's recent digital-only direction for selling movies, as reducing e-waste is an entire initiative of its own.

Many have criticized some of the sources and claims made in "An Inconvenient Truth" and some have been cleared up, but honestly without conscious effort I will never remember a statistic. In grade six when our teacher showed the documentary in class I didn't consider myself a numbers person (honestly has much changed?) but what I do remember is the impact the big picture had on my perspective of the waste I generated. Suddenly, taking the bus or walking somewhere wasn't such a big deal compared to the big picture of climate change and the quality of the air we all breathe every day. (Back when this film was made, "global warming" was the hot word, which has now progressed to "climate change").

Cartoon by Joel Pett

It helped put a greater focus on how many of the little things can actually be adjusted so that we're not making living so hard for us and other creatures on Earth.

When it's so easy to get caught up in the everyday things in life and push things that don't have an immediate direct impact on me to the backburner, I'm looking forward to watching "an Inconvenient Truth" again to help re-calibrate my thinking.

Highlights From the Blue Dot Tour

  This Friday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Blue Dot Tour at at Massey Hall in Toronto. This is said to be David Suzuki's last national tour, and it highlights the importance of implementing The Right to a Healthy Environment in Canada.

    It was an inspiring and memorable evening with many passionate speakers and performers with tons more takeaway points, but I'd like to share just a few of the many highlights. (Despite being read out at the beginning, I didn't catch all the names so I apologize for omitted and mistaken ones).

The Blue Dot Tour event begins!

     An acoustic rendition of Danny Michel's "Feather, Fur & Fin" was a terrific way to open up the performances, describing how destruction and pollution of natural habitats effects other animals through music, a memorable way to reach peoples' hearts.

Here is the Official video for "Feather, Fur & Fin" by Danny Michel:

    Dr. Joekin (?), a scientist and explorer, spoke on behalf of the sea, the lifeblood of the Earth, and all creatures depending on it in "Voices from the Depths of the Sea". His speech itself included both reason and a soft but deep passion, attesting to the fact that the two go hand-in hand to drive great change, inspiration, and leadership.

    He listed three characteristics of leadership:

Deep empathy, Deep eloquence, Deep endurance

Chantal Kewviazul and Raine Maida giving a heartfelt performance (I could not get the violinist or cellist in the picture or their names, but they all sounded great together!)

     Devin Paige was also not visible from this spot, but the executive director of EcoJustice (a company that fights legal battles for environmental causes) highlighted the legal aspect of the right to a healthy environment. He also said that at EcoJustice they tend to separate people into 2 categories: people who will sue for the environment, and people who won't. 

     Stephen Lewis' eloquent and sarcastically "dispassionate" speech described how the environmental movement/action taken by organizations such as the David Suzuki Foundation are in harmony with international goals, and is for the benefit of people.

Upside to side-seating: Side-stage sneak peeks.

    Following was a chilling and touching spoken word poem "Shoulders" written for the Blue Dot Tour by Shane Koyczan, a speaker/performer who combined the best of both worlds and words. As an avid lover of poetry and creative writing, this was definitely a highlight and I could go on about the beautiful words that seemed to flow so naturally, but I don't want expectation to spoil/interrupt the current of thoughts for those who will be hearing it later. What I can say is that the standing ovation was well deserved. 

     Michiah Prull, Director of Communications and Public Engagement gave a genuine, empowering speech that included the phrases "ordinary people doing extraordinary things", and "don't be a spectator of your own life". the truth that while most of us consider ourselves ordinary, we can be involved in the extraordinary. He also invited the audience to physically stand to give a memorable illustration about the power of standing together for the right to a healthy environment.

The venue was at Massey Hall in Toronto. Years ago, Grey Owl also also gave his "Back to My Beaver People" presentation there.

     Upon return from intermission I missed the speaker's name, but a man spoke about role of Native Canadians as stewards of the land. He sang a traditional song which set a beautiful atmosphere, and shared an experience of when a friend -who is also a Native of Canada- was asked something to the effect of "what do you need more land for? When are you going to sell it?" The response: "We are preserving it."   

     The Barenaked Ladies gave a lively performance, including jokes about new streetcars that had been new for almost 30 years, and a slightly-modified version of "If I had a Million Dollars" where they take an electric limousine instead of walking, and install solar panels on the roof of a treehouse to power a paintball/pinball (?) machine. 

     Last and certainly not least was David Suzuki himself. Of the many inspiring pieces of wisdom he shared, these are a mere few (This list will probably be added to later). Elders hold a special place in communities, and as an elder, in his lifetime he has seen peoples' views of  rights change radically, and frankly right now Canada is way behind in changing its views of the environment for a sustainable future.

     In the past people have often lived learning to prioritize money and resources, at the same time having rights prejudice to only certain people. This is in contrast with the rich diversity that characterizes Canada which must be protected with the air, water, and land. He highlighted Native Canadian traditions, including the time he spent with Haida people, and the way that in traditional Native culture nature is sacred, such as the four elements water, earth, air and fire. Humans have huge effect in the ecosystem and like other living things depend on it for our health, and we must take a stand to have a healthy environment, and by default health humans, protected as a right.

Every single speaker and performer contributed something unique to this Blue Dot Tour event, and all deserved the standing ovation at the end.

"Things are only impossible until we decide that they're not anymore. Today is the day we decide" 

     In our programs we were given cards that say "today we decide" on the front. We could fill out the cards with our name and information to join the movement (and a small box to write down why) and drop them into a big blue mailbox.
     If you would like, you can visit the David Suzuki Blue Dot Tour website under "Take Action" to read more about the join the movement towards rights to a healthy environment. If we stand together to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, it will be far less burdensome.

A Report on Flooding and Climate Change

Climate Change Effects - Flooding

Melody Tadeo

    While there are many impacts climate change has on the environment and therefore also human society, one of the most concerning ones is the increased risk of flooding. This is an issue involving both water and atmosphere as flooding may occur because of increased amounts of precipitation in some regions, spring runoff, and may also along the coast as sea levels rise. During "storm surges", changes in the wind and atmospheric pressure due to storms already cases damage which will only be increased with a rise in sea level. Floods are a threat to human health and security, economy, and natural ecosystems.

     One of the implications of atmospheric change is higher potential for rainfall in some regions. Around the world many communities have been built around bodies of water, putting people living near rivers and on floodplains at risk during times of heavy rainfall. The UK Environmental Agency has already provided an online map available to citizens to locate areas that are at a higher risk of flooding, specifically near rivers and the coast. After the Somerset Levels Flood, it took three months for the land to dry and it may be two years before the soil returns to levels where viable crops can be grown. Land animals are also vulnerable to floods, as reported during flooding in Britain in February 2014. Many animals such as ground-dwelling hedgehogs and badgers also drown in floodwaters, and surviving animals may suffer from a lack of food resources. Floodwaters may also carry pollutants such as lead, waste, toxic chemicals from industrial areas, and pesticides, which can affect both wild animals in flooded areas and livestock that may ingest contaminants while grazing. Populations of bumblebees that were hibernating as well as earthworms would also greatly decrease for many drown during floods or their hibernating cycle is disrupted.bumblebees play the vital role of pollination, and the affects on creatures such as earthworms will likely make its way up the food chain.

     In other places such as the Sacramento San-Joaquim River Delta, flooding may threaten water source quality and supply for people due to runoff. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) states "[on] average, U.S. flooding kills more than 100 people a year --more than any other single weather hazard, including tornadoes and hurricanes" and that the toll due to flooding has actually increased in recent decades. During times of unexpected flash floods the strength of the water is sometimes underestimated, and about half of related deaths are due to driving into flooded areas to cross streams or drive on the highway. 

     In other communities, however, driving is not the greatest threat to human safety but rather complete displacement of communities and illness; from 1970 to 2008 over 95% of disaster-related deaths occurred in developing nations. In August 2010 over 20 million people in Pakistan lost their homes and over 1,500 people lost their lives in the most devastating flood in the country's history. Even after the initial damage was done water-related illness continued to inflict people and World Health Organization said "waterborne, airborne and vector-borne diseases, including acute watery diarrhea, measles, malaria and acute respiratory infections, are threats due to overcrowding, lack of hygiene and breakage in waterlines". In crowds of people that found themselves homeless there was fear of political unrest, "flood riots", and people fought over limited amounts necessities such as food. According to the federal flood commission, 557,000 hectares of agricultural land was flooded in Pakistan, over 10,000 cows died, and overall the damage was estimated to cost about $7.1 billion.

     During the following year a number of countries in the Global Climate Risk (GCR) Index --including Brazil, El Savadore, Laos, and Thailand-- had record-breaking natural disasters. The GCR reported that floods and landslides caused over 1,000 deaths in Brazil, and 45 deaths and $43 billion of flood damage when Thailand was hit by tropical storm Nock-ten also in 2011. These are only a few examples of floods that cause damage to land, including communities and ecosystems, threaten human health and safety, and have negative economic effects. For coastal countries like Cuba that largely depend on tourism, a rise in sea level could also put a major industry in jeopardy, as well as the natural ecosystems that attract so many visitors.

     Aquatic ecosystems are already vulnerable to a number of environmental threats, and spring runoff could also affect the water quality of coastal areas, such as Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico where "dead zones" are already being created due to agricultural fertilizer runoff, threatening the lives of animals in aquatic ecosystems as well as biodiversity. In saltwater and freshwater ecosystems flooding of rivers and creeks also causes erosion of soil that can prevent vegetation from being able to grow --also making it even more vulnerable to erosion by later rainfall-- and damaging habitats of animals such as turtles. Although some species can still survive, many are forced to move to higher ground and floodwaters can also spread species of fish and other aquatic wildlife into neighboring ecosystems as foreign and potentially invasive species if they are able to survive. Chemicals such as fertilizers can be transferred and pollute ecosystems during floods, as well as various other contaminants including sediments, nutrients, and even fresh water that can change the water quality that local species require to survive.

     Especially under the influence of other environmental and social concerns, including rising sea levels, increased tropical storm activity, and changes in rainfall which can also affect inland areas, flooding poses severe threats to human lives, societies, and natural ecosystems. While flooding is a natural phenomenon, it is important that needs to be prepared for as the effects of climate change become ever more apparent and complex.

References

Batty, D. (2010, August 14). Impact of Pakistan floods as bad as 1947 partition, says prime minister. theguardian.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014, fromhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/14/pakistan-flooding-disaster-partition-gilani

Bawden, T. (2014, February 17). UK weather: Floods could have devastating environmental impact as animals drown or die from lack of food . The Independent. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-weather-floods-could-have-devastating-environmental-impact-9132299.html

CNN Wire Staff. (2010, August 21). Death toll from Pakistan flooding tops 1,500 as risk of diseases rises. CNN. Retrieved March 27, 2014, fromhttp://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/pakistan.floods.death.toll/

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Southwest Impacts & Adaptation. EPA. Retrieved March 26, 2014, from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/southwest.html

Irin news. (n.d.). CLIMATE CHANGE: Natural disasters made history in 2011. IRIN news - Humanitarian news and analysis. Retrieved March 27, 2014, fromhttp://www.irinnews.org/report/96895/climate-change-natural-disasters-made-history-in-2011

MCEER. (n.d.). Pakistan Floods 2010: Latest Facts, News, Photos & Maps. Pakistan Floods 2010: Facts, News, Photos & Maps. Retrieved March 27, 2014, fromhttps://mceer.buffalo.edu/infoservice/disasters/Pakistan-Floods-2010.asp

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. (n.d.). Flooding Fact Sheet. UCAR. Retrieved March 26, 2014, from http://www.ucar.edu/communications/factsheets/Flooding.html

Wharton, J. (2014, March 27). Finally dry: The Somerset Levels are free from floods - THREE months after the rain. Daily Express UK RSS. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/467251/Finally-dry-The-Somerset-Levels-are-free-from-floods-THREE-months-after-the-rain

Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld. (n.d.). Environmental Impact of Floods - February 2011. Wildlife Queensland - Environmental Impact of Floods. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.wildlife.org.au/news/2011/flooding5.html