New U.S. report predicts massive environmental, economic damage
It’s the most comprehensive scientific study to date on the effects of global warming on the U.S. economy, public health, coastlines and infrastructure. And the report says the Great Lakes Region is smack-dab in the center of some of the most damaging impacts from climate change.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Image by globalchange.gov
The 1,656 page National Climate Assessment, released by the White House this past week, predicts that extreme storms, flooding, and heatwaves will fuel more record wildfires in California and cause crop failures in the Midwest. The report says the changing climate will lead to heat-related deaths, and rising water levels will destroy roadways and create life-threatening infrastructure collapses that will take a huge economic toll by the end of the century. One part of the report predicts agricultural yields could drop to 1980 levels by the middle of this century.
The findings reveal the total cost to the U.S. economy of projected climate impacts will be an estimated $141 billion from heat-related deaths, $112 billion from water level rise and $32 billion from infrastructure damage by the end of the century.
The authors of the report offer three solutions that could help minimize the impact of global warming: putting a price tag on greenhouse gas emissions; establishing government regulations on greenhouse gasses; and investing in clean energy research.
Two University of Michigan researchers authored the Midwest chapter of the report. They concluded the Great Lakes region will most likely not only face adverse human health impacts from increased flooding, increased heat, and lower air and water quality, but that agricultural productivity and forest health will decline.
Fourth National Climate Assessment: Midwest Chapter, Image by globalchange.gov
They say the Great Lakes, which are already under stress from pollution, nutrient and sediment inputs from agriculture and invasive species, will face even more damage as lake surface temperatures increase, lake ice cover declines and summer evaporation rates increase. The study says “at-risk communities in the Midwest are becoming more vulnerable to climate change impacts and how they are working to build adaptive capacity.” In addition, tribal nations could be especially vulnerable because they rely on natural resources for their cultural, subsistence, and economic needs, which will be further threatened.
“Climate change will only further exacerbate the vulnerability of populations under stress in the Midwest because of economic and social inequality, such as poor communities in legacy cities, tribes and Indigenous populations,” said Maria Carmen Lemos, professor and associate dean at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, who was one of the Midwest chapter authors. “However, the chapter also finds that the Midwest may actually experience migration into the region because of climate change. Because this is a long-term prospect, the report may give cities the impetus to understand climate impacts and adapt to them to better prepare for this possibility.”
The assessment report, which is required by Congress, was performed by 300 scientists who began their work in 2014 immediately following the release of the previous National Climate Assessment .The report is issued every 4 years and involves 13 federal agencies.
The Trump administration first issued a statement saying the report is “largely based on the most extreme scenario” and that the next report will be more balanced. Then, two days after the release of the study, President Donald Trump said he didn’t believe his own administration’s report.
Authors of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) say the Trump administration did not change the report or its language. However, the timing of the release — the day after Thanksgiving — is being seen by many as an effort to try to dampen its impact.
Here is Great Lakes Now’s collection of reactions to the report from researchers and advocates in the Great Lakes basin:
Liz Kirkwood, environmental attorney and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water) based in Traverse City.
“The climate assessment puts the Great Lakes in the bullseye of climate change. Rising temperatures and higher evaporation will place greater stress on the lakes and could decimate important fish species. The future forecast in the assessment makes it clear we must transition away from fossil fuel dependence rapidly if we’re to pass on a livable climate to our children and grandchildren.”
Frank Szollosi, climate policy and field director for the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office.
“The report has enormous implications for the Great Lakes, our communities, and policymakers. Its sound science should be required reading for all our new governors and legislators. There are massive economic opportunities in embracing climate action, and dire certainties if we go about business-as-usual. The report illustrates the role of climate change as a ‘threat multiplier.’ We have toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes, and warmer, wetter weather will make them worse. Pollinators like butterflies and bees already face enormous pressure, and climate impacts add to their burden, as well as to our agricultural sector. At-risk human communities, particularly the poor, will bear the heaviest burdens from excessive heat, increased flooding, and economic disruption.”
Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability and a climate scientist who served as a lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 and 2014 reports.
“The National Climate Assessment report represents the official scientific word on climate change from the U.S. government and represents the state of science knowledge well. Climate change is caused by humans, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels, and is already having costly impacts on our nation. In Michigan, we’re seeing warming, more heat waves and climate-related increases in infectious disease. But impacts are relatively modest compared to other parts of the country. This means more people will likely want to move to Michigan. At the same time, climate change is increasing the intensity of rainfall, runoff and flood risks in the state and this, along with the warming, will put all of the Great Lakes at greater risk of harmful algal blooms. Thus, Michigan has urgent reasons to shift away from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas and to become a state powered by clean, renewable energy from wind and the sun.”
Environmental Attorney Jim Olson, president and chair of FLOW (For Love of Water).
“We must shift to hybrid and battery electric vehicles as rapidly as possible, to reduce carbon emissions, which will reduce oil consumption. We must conserve energy consumption based on fossil fuels; reduce oil and coal consumption more quickly than ever, here and worldwide… …It means that our existing infrastructure not only needs to be restored and fixed, but redesigned with climate change resiliency of utmost concern, for flooding and droughts, and for our shorelines along rivers, lakes and the Great Lakes.”
How is Detroit preparing for the future effects of climate change? Watch this video called “Secret Garden” from greatlakesnow.org that aired on the PBS “SciTech” Show produced by Matt Stinson.
