Global Warming
Global warming is caused by a variety of gases and materials in our atmosphere; including huge amounts of carbon dioxide and methane from human activities such as extracting and burning fossil fuels, and clearing forests. These gases can trap heat in the atmosphere, causing steadily increasing temperatures.
Read about why methane pollution is such a big contributor to climate change.
A consensus of scientists across the country and world have
determined human-induced global warming is happening, is dangerous to
human health, plants, and animals, and must be stopped. Some of the US’s
top security advisers have warned that global warming is among the most
serious security threats to our nation.
We have a limited timeframe for correcting course on global warming.
If we don’t act soon, our world will change in disastrous, irreversible
ways. A recent study
indicated that without action, we could see a permanent loss of some of
our country’s most iconic cities: New York City and L.A. could be wiped
off the map as soon as 2100.Read the latest in global warming news.
Global warming in the Heartland
As global warming alters weather patterns across the globe, researchers have predicted severe impacts across the Midwest and in Ohio, some of which we’re already experiencing.
Scorching hot summers and extreme, unpredictable weather are expected
to become the norm. This will result in more droughts as well as more
floods – increasing uncertainty and damaging Ohio’s number one industry,
agriculture.
Increasing rainfall also leads to larger amounts of
agricultural pollution, as heavy rains wash manure and fertilizer off of
farm fields and into our streams and lakes. With more agricultural
pollution comes more toxic algae, a growing plague across Ohio.
As temperatures rise, air quality problems worsen – and
Ohio cities will face more bad air days. Increased asthma and other
health impacts would be significant. Severe allergies can also lead to
missed days of work and school, and an overall lower quality of life.
Wildlife and trees will feel the impacts as well. Cedar
waxwing and bobolink numbers are expected to drop significantly in Ohio
due to global warming. At the same time, rising temperatures are making
Ohio a much more ideal climate for severe tick infestations and the
myriad of diseases they bring with them. To find out more about wildlife
and tree impacts check out Ohio DNR’s Climate & Wildlife Tools and Resources.
Action, Solutions & Leadership
Right now, our best shot at correcting course on global
warming lies in the US EPA’s Clean Power Plan. This plan sets us on a
path to drastically reduce our carbon pollution. It is also tied to a
number of international agreements that will lead to an overall, global
reduction in heat-trapping gases.
Source: http://www.theoec.org/campaign/global-warming?gclid=CjwKEAjwhILABRDwo8mlqt6ug38SJACNSq_k8nsjE5McSb-1sagaVVlBYmklYKEd1F3Zp9u1FLFQFBoChfLw_wcB
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