The impacts of Climate Change Across the United States
The impacts of climate change in the United States differ by state and region, but across the board, they are projected to be extreme and mostly negative. In order to illustrate the national impacts of climate change, we chose to focus on three case studies.
Overview
-Climate change will increase the risks storms, floods and droughts throughout the United States
-This will create pressure on national food supplies, creating greater risks of widespread starvation
-The impact will fall disproportionately on poor communities and communities of color
Overview
-Climate change will increase the risks storms, floods and droughts throughout the United States
-This will create pressure on national food supplies, creating greater risks of widespread starvation
-The impact will fall disproportionately on poor communities and communities of color
The Midwest
The Midwest is going to experience some of the most diverse impacts of climate change. According to the USDA, “increased weather variability in the Midwest is expected to alter soil water availability and temperature, which could decrease yield between 15-20 percent.”
The Midwest is going to experience some of the most diverse impacts of climate change. According to the USDA, “increased weather variability in the Midwest is expected to alter soil water availability and temperature, which could decrease yield between 15-20 percent.”
Some of the impacts will include:
- Storms
- Floods
- Droughts
- Temperature Shifts
Texas
Texas will face some unique impacts from changing climate patterns
These impacts will have negative effects across the country, but the impact will be particularly bad for Latino communities in Texas. Regions like the Rio Grande Valley, which are populated by a majority of Latinos, face the most serious risks. An analysis by Marcelo Norsworthy shows how Latino communities are at a higher risk for vulnerability to droughts and heat waves. Given this environmental justice concern, it is important that we recognize how our emissions here in Kentucky, and elsewhere, will cause massive and widespread suffering for communities across the country.
Texas will face some unique impacts from changing climate patterns
- Cattle- According to Ted Genoways, “If sustained rains don’t come soon, the tiny cattle towns of the Panhandle and across North Texas, already in decline for decades, may be pushed out of existence.” Genoways illustrates how droughts and temperature changes are going to increasingly threaten the heart of the cattle industry in Texas.
- Crop yields- According to one new study, “crop yields [in Texas], including hay, cotton and corn, could drop by nearly a quarter.” (Marks) Additionally, John Nielsen-Gammon, a professor of climatology at Texas A&M University, has said that climate will intensify the risk of floods and droughts which will have extremely negative effects on agricultural output.
These impacts will have negative effects across the country, but the impact will be particularly bad for Latino communities in Texas. Regions like the Rio Grande Valley, which are populated by a majority of Latinos, face the most serious risks. An analysis by Marcelo Norsworthy shows how Latino communities are at a higher risk for vulnerability to droughts and heat waves. Given this environmental justice concern, it is important that we recognize how our emissions here in Kentucky, and elsewhere, will cause massive and widespread suffering for communities across the country.
California
California is already facing some of the worst effects of climate change. A recent study, done by scientists at Colombia University found that “anthropogenic warming has substantially increased the overall likelihood of extreme California droughts.” While natural variability is driving drought, climate change is significant proximate cause affecting the severity of these natural variations. In simple terms, California is getting drier, faster because of climate change.
This drought-amplifying effect is negatively impacting agricultural productivity. According to the US Department of Agriculture, “the ongoing drought in California is likely to have a major impact on the State’s agricultural production.” This isn’t just a problem for California. The USDA says that “because California is a major producer in the fruit, vegetable, tree nut, and dairy sectors, the drought has potential implications for U.S. supplies and prices of affected products this year and beyond.” This means that as climate change intensifies, the entire country could face increasing food prices, which will worsen widespread problems of starvation and food insecurity.
While everyone will feel some of the impacts of the drought, this burden will fall disproportionately on poor communities in the region. According to a report by Darryl Fears, “farmworkers and other poor residents are feeling its impact in a far more serious and personal way.” Fears explains how these poor communities have had arsenic and other toxic chemicals leak into their food and water supplies as a result of the drought. As this drought worsens, driven by climate change, poor communities will increasingly face risks of poisoning from their food that could lead to increased health problems such as cancer and birth defects.
California is already facing some of the worst effects of climate change. A recent study, done by scientists at Colombia University found that “anthropogenic warming has substantially increased the overall likelihood of extreme California droughts.” While natural variability is driving drought, climate change is significant proximate cause affecting the severity of these natural variations. In simple terms, California is getting drier, faster because of climate change.
This drought-amplifying effect is negatively impacting agricultural productivity. According to the US Department of Agriculture, “the ongoing drought in California is likely to have a major impact on the State’s agricultural production.” This isn’t just a problem for California. The USDA says that “because California is a major producer in the fruit, vegetable, tree nut, and dairy sectors, the drought has potential implications for U.S. supplies and prices of affected products this year and beyond.” This means that as climate change intensifies, the entire country could face increasing food prices, which will worsen widespread problems of starvation and food insecurity.
While everyone will feel some of the impacts of the drought, this burden will fall disproportionately on poor communities in the region. According to a report by Darryl Fears, “farmworkers and other poor residents are feeling its impact in a far more serious and personal way.” Fears explains how these poor communities have had arsenic and other toxic chemicals leak into their food and water supplies as a result of the drought. As this drought worsens, driven by climate change, poor communities will increasingly face risks of poisoning from their food that could lead to increased health problems such as cancer and birth defects.