Global Warming Continues to Threaten Regional Livelihoods

With soaring surface temperatures and new record highs recorded every year for the past 50 years, global warming continues to be one of the biggest threats to various regions around the world. Arizona in particular just recorded the hottest summer in the state’s history, unfortunately coinciding with an increase in heat related deaths across the state. Continued effects from the result of ongoing warming trends in regional environments could pose additional challenges for individuals in the future. 

Record high temperatures can affect the body in a variety of different ways, and create unstable biological conditions that can lead to death. The high surface temperatures also pose threats to infrastructure, technology, and vital installations in urban metropolitan areas. Negative associated effects of heat exposure can be exacerbated when necessary resources are compromised in heat wave events. Officials are still tallying the number of deaths that resulted from the record temperatures in Arizona this year, and many scientists are looking to the future, concerned about new associated risks. 

Record High Summer Temperatures

This summer proved to be a record breaking year for surface temperatures across many regions in the United States, and specifically in Arizona. Record keeping for temperatures began in the state in 1895, and this year experienced three of the highest recorded months on record.

Daily average temperatures this summer holdfast at 97 degrees Fahrenheit which surpassed the three year previous record of 96.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Phoenix also set a record for a 31 day streak of temperatures at or exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat waves like that seen in Phoenix are beginning to happen more frequently as the climate in the region becomes dryer and overall global temperature averages continue to rise. Officials began recording associated deaths in 2005 to identify where policy changes could be applied to lessen the impacts of heat related casualties. They have added several categories to discern the deaths and provide a well rounded investigation into their route cause and resolution.

Heat Related Death Information

• Sex

• Age

• Race

• Ethnicity

• Location 

• Indoors vs Outdoors

• Air Conditioner present?

• Working or not working

• Electricity present?

Collecting vital information like these statistics is vital for researchers when discerning associative risk factors in severe weather events like those of this summer. These electricity statistics are important because findings have influenced power companies to maintain vital electricity powering air conditioners running during heat waves, even if clients have not paid their bills. 

Many of the deaths recorded in previous years happened due to a lapse in power, leaving the affected individuals inside their homes without a working air conditioner. Having the means to cool off is vital during extended periods of record high temperatures, especially when outside averages exceed into the triple digits. 

Counting Heath Related Deaths

Counting and recorded heat related casualties can take an extended amount of time for officials because there are many factors involved in the investigations. There are investigations into the individual's past and present related health conditions, environmental hazards, toxicology reports, autopsies, weather forecasts, and resource assessments. Mariposa county investigates heat deaths including those caused by excessive temperatures, heat stroke, and heart attacks as the result of environmental stress. 

This year's records observed almost 75 percent of the total recorded deaths to have occurred outside exposed to the elements. Almost half of those deaths were homeless people who did not have access to air conditioning, water, or other vital resources. There are an estimated 10,000 people in Mariposa county without access to a home, so the numbers could be potentially much higher if severe conditions persisted even longer. 

Less than 100 of the recorded deaths so far happened indoors in Arizona. Most of these recorded deaths occurred in homes where the in unit air conditioners were turned off or disabled. 

Future of Heat Related Deaths

As global warming continues to impact the world, many regions are experiencing rapid environmental changes. While some regions are experiencing extended winters, rain, and moisture other regions like the southwestern United States have observed quite the opposite. Southern Arizona has just experienced its hottest recorded summer with an extended period of time exceeding triple digit temperatures. These conditions are not atypical for the desert region, however their extended durations and excessively high temperatures are a direct result of the effects of climate change. 

In the future regions like this will continue to see extended periods of extreme temperatures and the cities need to establish enough access to vital resources to prevent increases in heat related deaths. This summer already showed a dramatic increase compared to past years, and hopefully it will lead to improvements in policies controlling the distribution of access to life saving resources like air conditioning, water, and shelter. 

Blazing Temperatures Boil Florida

Relentless high temperatures across the southern United States have sent several coastal regions of Florida to boiling temperatures. Major ocean areas around the peninsula recently reached shockingly high temperatures of 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The extraordinarily high temperatures are completely atypical preceding many negative consequences for the nearshore wildlife, resource sustainability, and habitat stability of the region. 

Global warming is a major component of high temperature contributions, in addition to the settling of a warm weather dome across much of the United States this past month. The bath-like coastal waters are setting record breaking temperatures and may be foreshadowing of many similar events in the future, expected to impact the region. 

Florida Reaches Record Temperatures

The high 90 degree recorded water temperatures are more than 15 degrees above the average conditions for the coastal region. Water is an incredibly stable fluid element, only changing temperatures under extreme fluctuation pressures. The heat dome that settled around Florida caused the immense heat conditions that forced the nearshore water temperature to near 100 degrees. While the high water temperatures are only a temporary effect of the peculiar weather phenomena, the lasting effects could be devastating. 

Florida hosts an incredible array of nearshore wildlife, habitats, and resources that may all suffer from the high temperatures. The coral reefs in Florida are already incredibly fragile after many past bleaching events have left them exposed to continued damages. Loss of coral species is sometimes irreversible as they are slow growing organisms that rely on specific water temperature and salinity conditions. Coral reefs support all of the other ecosystems in the ocean by providing stable strata, habitats, and resources for reef fish and microorganisms. With the current temperature conditions and future projections, it is likely to result in significant loss of the already sparse reef. 

When temperatures increase past the threshold tolerable by corals, they succumb to the environment in what is known as a bleaching event. These events leave the bleached, white remains of the coral skeletons devoid of life. Fish and other previous inhabitants are forced away from the reef, bringing all of the upper ecosystems with them. Resulting habitat loss greatly deteriorated many of the fisheries relied upon by Floridians and the rest of the country. Only time will tell what the complete scope of loss will entail from this severe temperature event. 

The high temperature trends are expected to continue into late August and unfortunately coincide with the area’s hurricane season. This is another factor many meteorologists are keeping an eye on as warmer sea surface temperatures can exacerbate and accelerate cyclonic storms. The Gulf of Mexico and bordering states are prone to severe weather events that pass through the area, and these past month’s conditions are expected to continue that trend.  

Human Fueled Climate Change

Severe events like the localized warming observed in Florida have become more common over the last 75 years as human induced climate changes are beginning to affect major weather stability. With the onset of rapid industrialization of most of the world there have been significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions. These greenhouse gasses pollute the atmosphere and increase the carbon dioxide concentration in the upper atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps heat which is reflected and reabsorbed by the surface of the Earth and especially the oceans. 

With increased heat trapping greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, human activities are further accelerating global warming and events similar to this past month in Florida. Other effects caused by the localized global warming events may include more intense tropical storms driven by the high temperatures of the surface seawater in the Caribbean. These environmental fluctuations are likely to continue in frequency and intensity as global warming trends have not been abated and surface temperatures continue to rise.

Other regions of the United States are also experiencing the effects in the form of flooding, heat waves, wildfires, and other associated high temperatures. Global warming does not only affect the coastlines, beaches, and nearshore waters as it has implications for the entire topography of the world. 

Solutions to the Temperature Rise

As events like the extraordinary temperature conditions of the southeastern United States continue to happen, scientists and environmentalists continue to search for solutions. Most of the ideas being studied are for better understanding at the remedy of such events, as the cause is most often associated with the unfortunate byproducts of modern human activities. 

Remedies for heat events like that observed in Florida are focusing on coral retainment and recovery efforts, although concerns suggest there could be a mass fatality event of more than 90% of the living species in southern Florida. There is already an ongoing coral recovery program in southern Florida experimenting with coral plantation, genetic modification, and reef restoration projects. Many of these projects have been underway for more than 5 years and had seen phenomenal successes up until this event. Most coral restoration projects were focused on developing artificial reefs for corals to attach to, which would establish corals in barren areas and provide better natural barriers to incoming storm surge. 

All of these solutions are futile in environmental heat stress, because of the fragility of the coral species and their environmental relationship. It does not matter how many corals are planted, or reefs restored, if the ocean temperatures do not return to normal levels. The other striking outcome from continued events like this are naturally selecting out most of the nearshore coral species that are more sensitive to changes, and leaving those that dwell in deeper waters. 

America’s Tornadoes are Evolving

In the last few weeks a flurry of tornadoes devastated many regions in the midwestern United States.These storm cells left scientists and the communities wondering why tornadoes seem to be increasing in frequency, devastation, and expansion across the United States. Peak tornado season lasts between March and June with approximately 70 percent of yearly storm cells being recorded during those months. However, as a warming climate continues to modify atmospheric conditions scientists are observing certain changes in the aspect of tornado patterns and basic formation. 

The 2023 season has already observed five times reported preliminary tornado reports than the average between 1990 and 2010. The month of January alone had an astounding 168 reports of tornado storm cell activities across the United States. 

While it is still too early to definitively relate climate change to increased tornado activities, scientists are able to correlate some adverse side effects to the subtle evolution of tornado size, span, and frequency as they continue to wreak havoc across the United States each year. 

Understanding Tornado Patterns

Tornadoes are a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cell system in the atmosphere to the ground. Tornadoes become visible as they form a condensation tunnel of wind that collects water droplets, dust, and debris. Some tornadoes have been recorded with wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, completely destroying anything in their path. These storm cells can be some of the most dangerous and destructive weather phenomena, responsible for countless deaths and economic damages each year. 

Tornadoes occur predominantly in the midwestern United States, but other areas of the world that experience them include Argentina, Bangladesh, and various reports on the other continents. The United States records about 1,200 tornadoes every year, however average reports overtime are somewhat inconsistent because official records only date back to 1950 and recording methods have changed overtime. 

The media often refers to an area of the United States known as tornado alley when discussing these deadly storm cells and their typical range across the United States.Although the region is a relatively common for tornado activities, the idea of “tornado alley” can be somewhat misleading.

Tornadoes have been reported in all fifty states, and many violent tornadoes have occurred outside of “tornado alley”. In the cooler months of the year tornadoes are more likely to affect the southeastern states, while the southern central plains regions are more at risk in the warmer months between May and June, and the northern plains during early summer months. 

Environmental Trends Affecting Tornadoes

To understand how environmental conditions may be affecting tornado storm cell development and resulting damages, meteorologists have been researching trends in their parent strom cell development. The scientists have been closely observing how changes in atmospheric humidity, temperature, and jet stream cycles may affect storm cell formation. 

Most tornadoes in the United States form from an uncommon supercell thunderstorm system which requires moist warm air to form close to the ground and a strong wind shear. The system requires a strong vertical wind shear caused by changing wind speeds and direction closer to the ground to draw the warm moisture up into the atmosphere. The air begins to spin cyclonically as it lifts off of the ground and continues to narrow and increase its cyclonic speed as it begins to form a menacing funnel cloud. The funnel and rotating system are the first indication of a potential tornado, but are only classified as such if they actually touch down on the ground. 

Factors Affecting Tornado Patterns 

• Increased heat and humidity in the atmosphere

• Modifications to the jet stream

• Larger and more frequent supercell thunderstorm systems

Since scientific data is fairly limited and inconsistent, scientists cannot definitively identify long term changes in the storm cells over time. They have described that we are currently in an “experimental” phase studying how tornadoes are evolving, and they can only hypothesize what the future will entail. 

The Future of Tornadoes

As warming surface trends, associated with ongoing climate changes, continue scientists have identified possible modifications to the patterns and formation of tornado storm systems as we have observed over the past 70 years. While long term predictions are not possible due to the lack of consistent and historical data, preliminary conclusions and warnings can be formulated. 

Meteorologists have already recorded an increase in the size and frequency of many supercell tornadoes, as damages have continued to surpass millions of dollars in economic losses each year. Continued expansion of industrial and residential development in at-risk regions has contributed to the increased death toll related to tornadoes in the past decades. Another factor is the increasing spread and range the storms are beginning to acquire, as unprepared regions are exposed to the severe risks associated with tornado development. 

Droughts and atmospheric conditions have resulted in fewer deadly tornadoes in states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. A dangerous tornado developed just last month in New Jersey leaving multiple people dead and more continue to appear in states outside the tornado alley region. The southeastern states have a long wind shear that forms the necessary conditions for tornadoes when combined with increased atmospheric temperature and humidity contributed by climate change. The necessary conditions may suggest the range of tornadoes will continue to expand to bordering states previously at a lower risk to these kinds of natural disasters. Meteorologists also suggest supercell thunderstorm formation will likely shift toward later winter and early spring months rather than summer and fall as seasonality is also affected by climate changes. 

There are many uncertainties associated with how and where tornadoes continue to evolve, but scientists are undoubtedly sure there will be continued increases in devastation, loss of life, and economic damages. The United States population has almost doubled since 1950 and increased development across tornado alley and the east coast, suggesting tornadoes are more likely to affect more people than ever before. 

Hurricane Ian’s Impact Lingers Amidst Climate Change Implications

Hurricane Ian quickly developed into one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit Florida since 1935, and one of the worst natural disasters in recent years for the United States. Damages from the hurricane are still being evaluated with early estimates totaling more than $60 billion USD alone in damages to infrastructure and properties. This large category 4 hurricane slammed into the Florida coast toward the end of September resulting in significant coastal damages, inland flooding, massive runoff, and large community displacements. Florida experiences many hurricanes each year, but it is now clear that the severity of the storms is increasing as they are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. 

Hurricanes are a natural aspect of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico geography, as conditions in late summer and early fall often generate cyclonic storm cells. A majority of south Florida lies at or below sea level putting many areas at increased risk for minor swells and ocean surges, regardless of storm activities. Florida has invested significant federal and state funds into coastal defense barriers like sea walls, sand dunes, foundation fortifications, and emergency aid response programs. These efforts seem to mitigate many damaging effects, but their effectiveness continues to wane as warming ocean temperatures increase the intensity of these Atlantic storm cells.

Climate change has a variety of negative effects on Earth, specifically intensifying the strength and frequency of destructive storm cell activities. Warmer coastal waters increase surface evaporation, rapidly accelerating hurricane wind speeds and the overall strength of the hurricane. Factors like warming climates, more intense storms, and continued development along the coast of at-risk regions like Florida have also increased the susceptibility of people and infrastructure to extensive storm damage. 

President Joe Biden addressed the nation after surveying the damages of the fierce storm, highlighting its similarities to many other significant natural disasters affecting other regions of the country. He indicated how climate change is responsible for many of the extensive damages caused by this storm, the fires in the midwest, and water shortages on the west coast. The increasing vulnerability of many regions affects more than the durability of the infrastructure, also implicates community health and long-term safety. 

As the aftermath of Hurricane Ian continues to be surveyed, it is clear this storm has impacted a multitude of resources, regions, and people across Florida. Many of Florida’s main waterways are now filled with contaminated pollution as a result of the upstream storm surge inundation and coastal runoff. Organic matter, chemical pollutants, and refuse washed off the land from torrential precipitation leading to additional negative environmental impacts. Environmental scientists suggest the pollution could damage aquatic ecosystems posing short-term dangers to human and resource health, while also subjecting these fragile ecosystems to additional long-term challenges. 
With the increasing intensity and frequency of storms like Hurricane Ian, similar events are likely to become more normal in the future. For at-risk regions, preparing the necessary infrastructure and response teams is vital to adequately handle estimated damages. These damages include factors impacting infrastructure, human health, environmental well-being, and long-term effects. Over the past decade, the United States has already had multiple examples of these effects as climate change continues to increase natural disaster intensities and frequencies.

Flooding Infrastructure and Climate Change

Over the course of this year, many areas of the United States have experienced severe flooding disasters, including places like Yellowstone, Kentucky, Denver, Death Valley, St. Louis, and Dallas. These areas experienced higher than average prolonged rainfall leading to an inundation of their already weak flood infrastructure, resulting in massive water overflow and significant economic losses. Widespread flooding affects local communities by leading to displacement, damage, and death. With the ongoing climate changes already causing strengthened and more frequent natural disasters, experts agree this flooding is also connected. 

Flooding does not only occur in these large regions because of the excess rain, although that is a significant factor. Many other factors are involved in severe flooding events, and the root of the problem is the predominant lack of adequate flooding infrastructure. Most urban areas use a combination of gutters, storm drains, and underground sewers to remove excess water from street surfaces and redirect it out of the city. These systems work well when there are periodic rain storms, characteristic of the region. However, their systems begin to malfunction when extensive amounts of precipitation inundate the region over a short period. Large influxes of water into the drainage infrastructure can rapidly overwhelm sewers resulting in backflow of water, pooling in large areas of these urban areas. The water can quickly become fast-moving water sources, wreaking havoc on communities and urban centers. 

Effects of flooding from past events like the 2005 Hurricane Katrina can still be seen across Louisiana today. Floods have enormous social consequences for impacted communities and individuals by threatening loss of human life, destroying property, damaging crops, deteriorating health, and leading to increased water-borne illnesses. The long-term effects of these floods can also disrupt clean water access, wastewater management, electricity, transportation, communication, and the loss of countless livelihoods. 

Another major factor affecting the outcome of these flooding events in urban areas is the lack of natural land that would otherwise effectively absorb and redirect excess water into surrounding areas. Most cities have surface areas encased in asphalt and concrete, preventing water from seeping into ground soil below. Impermeable surfaces in large cities increase their susceptibility to flooding when there are large influxes of rain, often making flooding worse.

Many technological and wealthy countries have been investing significantly in flood forecasting and preparation, inadvertently leaving their cities without many of the critical flood infrastructure systems that would protect them from these events. The resulting lack of development has led to many instances of significant loss of life regardless of the ample warnings because the areas were not physically able to manage such large influxes of water. 

The unfortunate reality faced by many areas across the United States is that these flood prevention infrastructures, like dams, reservoirs, and storm drains, were all designed decades ago and are completely outdated. Installed systems have failed to adequately handle the increasing large precipitation events over the last decade. 

New research into natural sources of flood protection found in flood plains, forests, and wetlands discovered that protecting and restoring these threatened regions could effectively protect nearby cities from a large quantity of flooding. These efforts, updating outdated infrastructure, and better allocating development land are all ways to combat future flooding events.