Climate Change in California
Theme: Natural and Human Ecosystems.
In the past, the issue of climate change was felt to be a thing of the distant future; however, it has become a present menace which has short and long-term effects on the natural and human ecosystem. This issue is not only experienced in California but also other states in the United States as well as other nations all over the world. Climate change is one of the most contentious topics in various international conventions with scientists differing widely as some downplay the effects while others are passing the message of addressing climate change. A report by National Climate Assessment indicated that human activities such as deforestation, emissions from industries, and other human activities are the leading cause of climate change worldwide. Over several decades, an increase in global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities has resulted in climate change. There has been a shift in the methods of production; the industrial revolution has resulted in an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere by over thirty per cent. This high concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has brought destruction to the ozone layer, thus resulting in global warming. There are several short- and long-term effects of climate change. Rising seawater levels, more frequent wildfires, a more prolonged period of droughts, more intense heat waves, hotter summers are leading to more water and air pollution, destruction of wildlife’s habitat, and the continued rise of global temperatures. This paper is going to discuss climate change in California based on the theme of the natural and human ecosystem.
The State of California is not short of the evidence of climate change. The effects of climate change in this State has been documented in various research articles and reputable websites. However, the central question that this article attempts to shed some light onto is the impact of climate change on natural and human ecosystems in this State that is home to millions of people. The California state consists of both natural and human ecosystem. In general. Ecosystem refers to a group or community of living organisms which interact with each other and live in a specific environment (Mann, & Gleick, 2015). It’s indeed imperative upon the relevant authorities to come to terms with the reality that Climate change is here with us. Unless spirited efforts are put in place to counter the effects mentioned above, this situation will get worse by the day. In light of the above, therefore, we embark upon concise presentation of the impact of climate change in this State on natural and human ecosystems.
Foremost, global warming is an indicator of climate change and specifically in California, and it has led to increased flooding. This flooding has subsequently resulted in an erosion of massive coastal lands and an unprecedented rise in sea levels. To be precise, the sea level has risen by approximately eight inches in the past century and is projected to increase by about twenty to fifty-five inches by the end of the century. While these numbers may look relatively low, the impact of the rise in sea levels is likely to be enormous for the people in California (Berg, & Hall, 2015). This impact is especially so since approximately eighty-five per cent of the people living in this State occupy the coastal lands. This expected sea-level rise, fifty-five per cent, could have dire consequences. Nearly about half a million people would be put at the risk of flooding by 2100.
Further, unfortunately, up to one hundred billion dollars in infrastructure and property would be at risk of destruction. The economy of the State of California, which is ocean dependent could be placed in jeopardy by the effects of coastal erosion resulting in damages of up to 46 billion dollars per year (Mann, & Gleick, 2015). Rise of sea levels will inadvertently cause an increase of saltwater contamination of the State’s delta and levee systems. The Sacramento or the San Joaquin delta will be placed at an enormous risk of this contamination. As a result, the wildlife of California will be placed at considerable risk as well as the twenty million people who depend on these sources for drinking water. There are a lot of farmland activities in the low areas of this State, and this saltwater contamination will adversely affect them.
In addition to that, as a result of climate change, there is expected to be loss of water that usually comes from the snowpacks of the Sierra Nevada due to global warming. Typically, snowpacks are formed in winter and autumn just for it to be melted in the spring and summer to release about fifteen million acre-feet of water only when it’s of absolute importance to the people of California (Shaw et al., 2011). However, due to global warming, there will be increased melting of the snowpacks and all at once. This effect is sure to overwhelm the dams and storage facilities of the State of California, and as a result, the risk of flooding is multiplied. Quite realistically, this can result in sad reality, the lack of water when indeed there is increased incidences of flooding.
Over eighty per cent of California’s one hundred million acres is covered by forest or rangeland. This coverage makes it a topic for consideration in terms of climate change. Forest fires have been here since time immemorial, but now, just as in Australia, the fires are ravaging more than ever before. These fires can be attributed to the rise in temperatures that are associated with climate change. In as much as the increase in temperatures make the fires to last longer and start earlier than before, they also make the bushes drier. It’s good to note that in time, this will necessitate an increased response by human resources due to the reported increase of fires statewide (Chang, & Bonnette, 2016). Further, there shall be increased costs while trying to put out the fires. In other terms, the damages as a result of the fires will increase substantially.
Agriculture is one of the most prominent economic activities in the State of California. Just to put this into context, California is a major supplier of agricultural produce throughout America and by extension globally. Over half of the domestic fruits and vegetables are produced in California. The agricultural industry in California is so important and successful that it generated thirty-nine billion dollars in revenue in 2007 (Nelson et al., 2013). However, it’s sad to mention that climate change is sure to work against the success that has been witnessed in this industry. This effect is because the rise in temperatures, drought, saltwater contamination through rising sea levels, increased risk of pests and flooding will combine efforts to bring down this sector of the economy. Thus, California will find it hard to feed its citizens, other US citizens and the rest of the world due to the predicted food shortages that will come as a result of the climate change.
What should worry every citizen of California is the impact of climate change on public health. It’s common knowledge that Californians are exposed to the worst quality of air across the whole of the US. Increased temperatures due to climate change will lead to the formation of smog which has consequences in terms of exacerbating damage to the lungs, causing asthma and respiratory diseases, and in worst-case scenarios cause heart disease and death (Gonzalez et al., 2010). The people who are at higher risk of the effects of smog compounded by the poor-quality air are the elderly, infants, people with underlying conditions such as chronic heart disease and people who cannot afford air conditioning machines. Extreme heat events are sometimes devastating, and as temperatures continue to rise annually, the effects of the heat events such as dehydration, respiratory problems, heatstroke and heart attacks are likely to increase too. In July 2006, an intense heatwave struck California leaving behind 140 casualties. Experts fear that such heat events might occur more often and be a source of health concern for the people of California.
It’s impossible to discuss climate change and failing to mention its effect on the survival of endangered plants and animals. The State of California is home to over fifty unique plant and animal species and has the highest number in the whole of the US. Climate change can, therefore, jeopardize the efforts that are put in place to ensure the survival of these endangered species by threatening their survival by extinction (Nelson et al., 2013). This matter is cognizant of the fact that these climate change can lead to mass destruction and loss of plant and animal habitats as well as cause immeasurable destruction of ecosystems.
Climate change will necessitate an increased demand for electricity. Increase in temperatures due to global warming will ensure that summers are hotter. Thus, Californians will have to turn up their air conditioners due to the increased demand for cooling. The extent to which this increased demand will influence natural and human resources is still a subject of the question, and adequate research is necessary (Chang, & Bonnette, 2016). In other words, changes in temperature, sea level, precipitation, and the severity and frequency of extreme events will affect the amount of energy to be consumed, produced and delivered to the residents of California state. Energy is essential in the lives of people. For instance, we use electricity for cooling and lighting. Also, fuel is used for cooking, heating, and transportation. The production and use of energy are interconnected with numerous other modern life aspects like land use, economic growth, transportation, use of goods and services, water consumption, and population growth. Production and use of energy, which mainly originate from fossil fuel is the leading cause of climate change because it accounts for more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions (Mann, & Gleick, 2015). Therefore, a temperature increase in California has increased the demand for electricity and brought change to the State’s ability to produce electricity and supply it reliably to the population.
Looking at the issue of climate change in California, the state government can make the necessary strategies and measures to combat this concern. California has a rich biological diversity; however, it has faced dramatic modification and loss of its ecosystems, species, habitats, and population. As a result, the state government has made an enormous effort in the attempt of restoring large areas of private and public lands. Under such circumstances, restoration of the ecosystem is a vital element in the strategy aimed at maintaining essential ecosystem services and conserving many at-risk species (Shaw et al., 2011). Despite the motivation to restore the ecosystem, particular critical theoretical and practical challenges may affect the restoration efforts success. To make a successful restoration of the ecosystem, the California government should emphasize on landscape-scale resilience. Also, the State should focus on incorporating restoration into a program that is regionally-coordinated and adaptive in terms of management. A contingent plan or strategy is essential to ensure that the policies can be changed to adapt to future needs.
However, it is not only the responsibility of the State to fight climate change, but it is a general responsibility where the public must take part in it to conserve the environment and prevent future issues regarding climate change (Mann, & Gleick, 2015). The State should implement ecosystem restoration projects where the citizens take part in activities such as replacement of turfgrass with native species, eradication of invasive species, repair and replantation of forestland. Further, conservation of wetlands, monitoring lake and pond habitats and planting rain gardens that would collect rainwater running off asphalt or roofs should be the norm (Gonzalez et al., 2010). All these efforts would help in achieving the restoration of the lost ecosystem.
In conclusion, climate change is a threat to the lives of people, plants and animals. In the State of California, there’s already evidence of the effects of climate change which makes it a reality within the State. There are effects on significant aspects of human life, such as agriculture and the health sector. Plant and animal life is also threatened in terms of increased flooding, coastal erosion, rising sea levels and increased temperatures. Wildfires, ravaging and longer than ever before, are threatening healthy human life as well as plant and animal habitats. It’s not possible to enumerate all the effects of climate change even only in the State of California alone. However, it’s a reality on the ground, and sound policies have to develop to tackle this enemy which is growing strong by the day. The bottom line is that climate change is real and the sooner the fight against it, the better for this planet. However, to have any chance of success against this enemy, all players have to be on board. The US government thus should take the correct stance and save the world from this issue of prime and immediate importance. Also, the citizens have a greater responsibility in taking part in the conservation of environment and restoration of the ecosystem to prevent the adverse effects of climate change. Whether the State of California and its citizens will engage in measures that are geared towards reducing the impacts of climate change as well as prepare them for what’s to come is a question that only time has the correct answer.
References
Mann, M. E., & Gleick, P. H. (2015). Climate change and the California drought in the 21st century. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(13), 3858-3859.
Berg, N., & Hall, A. (2015). Increased interannual precipitation extremes over California under climate change. Journal of Climate, 28(16), 6324-6334.
Shaw, M. R., Pendleton, L., Cameron, D. R., Morris, B., Bachelet, D., Klausmeyer, K., … & Haunreiter, E. (2011). The impact of climate change on California’s ecosystem services. Climatic Change, 109(1), 465-484.
Chang, H., & Bonnette, M. R. (2016). Climate change and water‐related ecosystem services: impacts of drought in California, USA. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, 2(12), e01254.
Nelson, E. J., Kareiva, P., Ruckelshaus, M., Arkema, K., Geller, G., Girvetz, E., … & Saunders, M. (2013). Climate change’s impact on key ecosystem services and the human well‐being they support in the US. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 11(9), 483-893.
Gonzalez, P., Neilson, R. P., Lenihan, J. M., & Drapek, R. J. (2010). Global patterns in the vulnerability of ecosystems to vegetation shifts due to climate change. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 19(6), 755-768.