In 2014, the National Climate Assessment conducted a study on the effects of climate change across all the regions of the United States. Three areas of concern that were induced by the study conducted in the Southeast region are rise in sea level, extreme heat, and decreased water availability. These matters bring devastating impacts on their own, however when observing the state of the Southeast, it is discovered that they are exacerbating problems the Southeast is already facing.
The rate of change in land use and land cover in the Southeast occur more rapidly compared to many other areas of the United States. The detrimental effect of this dilemma is that the rise in sea level, extreme heat, and decreased water availability in conjunction …show more content…
It is well established that human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the warming of the earth. Yet, what also needs to be established is the plethora of possibilities that could arise from increased temperatures in the Southeast. Higher temperatures can lead to the formation of harmful air pollutants and allergens which can affect public health. Areas with increasing temperatures can develop favorable conditions for transmission for vector-borne and zoonotic disease transmissions. Higher temperatures even affect net energy demand and transportation. Higher net energy demand could “stress electricity generating capacity, distribution infrastructure, and energy costs.” A prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also “damage roadways by softening asphalt and cause deformities on railroad tracks, bridge joints, and other infrastructures.” Concerning agriculture and livestock, humans will have to alter the environment by introducing more heat-tolerant crops and breeds of livestock, and renovate cropping and irrigation systems. However, human activity will also hinder some purposeful alterations as well. For example, expanding population and land-use fragmentation will hinder prescribed burning which is very useful in adapting to extreme temperatures. Therefore, much dialogue must be centered around the most efficient way to alter the environment and compensate for it at the same
The rate of change in land use and land cover in the Southeast occur more rapidly compared to many other areas of the United States. The detrimental effect of this dilemma is that the rise in sea level, extreme heat, and decreased water availability in conjunction …show more content…
It is well established that human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the warming of the earth. Yet, what also needs to be established is the plethora of possibilities that could arise from increased temperatures in the Southeast. Higher temperatures can lead to the formation of harmful air pollutants and allergens which can affect public health. Areas with increasing temperatures can develop favorable conditions for transmission for vector-borne and zoonotic disease transmissions. Higher temperatures even affect net energy demand and transportation. Higher net energy demand could “stress electricity generating capacity, distribution infrastructure, and energy costs.” A prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also “damage roadways by softening asphalt and cause deformities on railroad tracks, bridge joints, and other infrastructures.” Concerning agriculture and livestock, humans will have to alter the environment by introducing more heat-tolerant crops and breeds of livestock, and renovate cropping and irrigation systems. However, human activity will also hinder some purposeful alterations as well. For example, expanding population and land-use fragmentation will hinder prescribed burning which is very useful in adapting to extreme temperatures. Therefore, much dialogue must be centered around the most efficient way to alter the environment and compensate for it at the same