Washington Post. (2024, January 25). Opinion | Panama canal shows how vulnerable the economy is to climate … A dry Panama Canal shows how climate change will scramble globalization. (n.d.). https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/25/panama-canal-climate-change-drought/

The Panama Canal, a vital route for global trade, faces a severe threat due to an unprecedented drought affecting Panama’s rainy season. Gatún Lake, the freshwater reservoir crucial for canal operations, has experienced a dangerous drop in water levels, impacting shipping traffic. The situation raises concerns about the canal’s long-term viability, prompting the Panamanian government to explore solutions, including releasing water from Lake Alajuela and considering large-scale projects like damming the Indio River. The article highlights the broader implications of climate change on global trade routes, underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental challenges and their impact on the world economy.

The article underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, such as the Panama Canal, to the impacts of climate change, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies and long-term solutions. The water-intensive nature of canal operations highlights the intricate relationship between climate, water resources, and global trade. The mention of other regions facing similar challenges, like the Amazon rainforest and the Rhine in Germany, emphasizes the widespread repercussions of climate-related disruptions on transportation and supply chains. As climate-induced events pose threats to vital trade routes, the article emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change to ensure the resilience of global infrastructure and economic stability.

Guardian News and Media. (2024, January 28). Climate scientist Mark Maslin: “we have all the technology we need to move to a cleaner, renewable world.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/jan/28/climate-scientist-mark-maslin-we-have-all-the-technology-we-need-to-move-to-a-cleaner-renewable-world

Renowned climate scientist Mark Maslin discusses the alarming confirmation that 2023 was the hottest year on record and the imminent breach of the 1.5°C warming limit. Maslin anticipates continued extreme weather events in 2024, highlighting the 30% increase in fatalities from climate-related incidents in the previous year. The professor emphasizes the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy and underscores the positive impacts, such as cleaner air and energy security. Maslin’s upcoming “Love Your Planet” event aims to foster collaboration in accelerating the green transition.

Mark Maslin’s insights underscore the pressing need for climate action as he addresses the escalating impacts of climate change, including record-breaking temperatures and intensified extreme weather events. His stress on the importance of transitioning to renewable energy aligns with the environmental science perspective, advocating for sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change. He reinforces the necessity of interconnectedness of science, communication, and public engagement in the critical mission to combat climate change.

Turnbull, T. (2023, December 19). Queensland floods: Towns isolated as supplies dwindle and rain eases. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67723758

Severe flooding in northern Australia triggered by ex-tropical cyclone jasper has begun to subside, but numerous towns remain cut off in crocodile-infested waters as essential supplies run low. The extreme weather, depositing a year’s worth of rain in parts of Queensland, has caused record-level river swelling, which lead to homes being flooded, roads and power lines being broken, and having to evacuate. Some residents are risking dangerous floodwaters, where six-meter crocodiles have been spotted, to find some supplies. This disaster has ramped up rescue efforts, with Cairns Airport closed temporarily, and Prime minister Anthony Albanese promises emergency payments and aid for affected areas, and authorities estimate the damages to cost over $1 billion.

This article exhibits the environmental impact of extreme weather events, such as cyclones, leading to severe flooding and infrastructural damage. The incident enhances the vulnerability of communities to climate related disasters with unprecedented rainfall causing record flooding, The evacuation challenges and threats of crocodile infested waters also highlights the dangerous consequences of extreme weather on both human and animal populations. The broader context of Australia facing multiple climate-related disasters in recent years raises concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of such events pointing to the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation and disaster management strategies.

(2024, January 26). “an existential threat”: Will climate change sway Pakistan’s election? euronews. (n.d.-a). https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/01/26/shocked-horrified-livid-and-furious-pakistan-pm-hopeful-slams-government-response-after-fl

In his bid to become the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari vows to prioritize climate resilience investments after the devastating floods of 2022, during which over 1700 people lost their lives. Expressing shock and frustration at the government’s responses, Bhutto-Zardari emphasizes the urgent need for Pakistan to adapt to climate change for its survival. The floods, worsened by global heating, reinforce the immediate impact of climate change on vulnerable regions. His commitment to climate resilience  reflects the growing recognition of environmental issues in political discourse and the need for proactive measures to address the consequences of climate change. 

This article brings light to the intersection between climate change, political responsibility, and public awareness. The devastating floods in Pakistan serve as a stark reminder of the real and immediate consequences of climate change. It affects so many lives and communities. Bhutto-Zardari’s pledge to invest in climate resilience emphasizes the increasing acknowledgement of the role political leaders play in mitigating the impacts of environmental challenges which is a good sign. It also depicts the need for global leaders to prioritize climate adaptation and tell the public about the urgency of climate change. This prompts reflection on the intersection of the environment and politics, and this is a good sign seeing as politics affect the climate so much because politicians can make bigger changes. 

NASA. (2023, November 2). NASA flights link methane plumes to tundra fires in western Alaska – climate change: Vital signs of the planet. NASA. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3289/nasa-flights-link-methane-plumes-to-tundra-fires-in-western-alaska/

In the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska, tundra wetlands that have experienced recent wildfires are emitting higher levels of methane compared to unburned areas, according to a study conducted by scientists at NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment. Methane hot spots were found to be 29% more likely in tundra scores by wildfires in the past fifty years, and this correlation nearly tripled near bodies of water. This research highlights the long-lasting impact of wildfires on methane emissions, which can contribute to climate warming and increase the risk of more frequent wildfires in historically fire-resistant tundra regions. 

This article depicts the intricate connection between fire, ice, and methane emissions in the vulnerable Arctic ecosystem. The study’s findings shed light on the significant role wildfires play in releasing methane from thawing permafrost, potentially accelerating climate change. The increased risk of tundra fires due to warming conditions poses a threat to the vast carbon stores in Arctic permafrost. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics to assess the broader environmental impact and develop strategies for mitigating the consequences of changing conditions in the Arctic. Overall, it highlights the importance of studying and addressing intricate interactions of environmental factors in high latitude regions.

Allen, S. (2023, July 4). 30% of Americans cite climate change as a motivator to move in 2023. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/features/americans-moving-climate-change/ 

This article is about the rapid movement of Americans due to climate change. Statistics such as 51% of Americans having unexpected moves in the last two years, ⅓ of people citing climate change as a reason to move, and 34% of participants saying better weather was a reason they were moving to a new place. Also recent hurricane Ian is likely to be up to 67 billion dollars in damage. It was found in 2021 14.5 million homes were impacted by natural disasters. There have been a number of moves from coastal areas due to erosion so they physically cannot live in their homes anymore.“People are also moving away from areas prone to wildfires or extreme temperatures. Widespread fires that hit California, Montana, Oregon and Washington State and the deadly heatwave that the Pacific Northwest experienced in June 2021 prompted people to evacuate, and many opted not to return,” James Barati a top tier moving company owner says. Places like New Orleans are having more storms with not much time in between them. Overall, multiple places in America are on a decline because of climate change.

This article tackled a lot of different types of disaster that occur such as erosion, increase in storms, heat increase. These things all correlate because they are all impacts due to climate change that are affecting average people’s everyday life. One lady in the article mentioned she had started a degree in New Orleans in 2008 and due to circumstances she has not finished it but because of the rapid increase of hurricanes she feels trapped but she cannot restart a degree somewhere else. People facing health problems are probably least likely to be able to move, which is concerning because the people in poverty are probably the people most affected because they would have medical issues they would not be able to pay to treat as well. Overall the climate is affecting people in all areas across the country and we should really take into serious consideration the impacts this is having on people in these areas.

Plumer, B. (2023, March 20). Climate change is speeding toward catastrophe. the Next Decade is crucial, U.N. panel says. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/20/climate/global-warming-ipcc-earth.html 

This article is about how the earth is heading in the direction of hitting a critical threshold for global warming within the next decade if we do not reduce fossil fuels. It is said for the temperature to rise 2.7 degrees above pre industrial levels sometime in the early 2030’s. This is significant because at the Paris agreement of 2015 everyone agreed to keep the number at 1.5 degrees. The impacts of climate change beyond this number could be catastrophic. There is still hope if we reduce greenhouse gasses by 50% but action must be taken soon. The biggest fossil fuel users, China and the United States continue to accept new fossil projects. Along with passing 1.5 degrees this would also affect water scarcity, malnutrition, and deadly heat waves. Zero emissions should be met by 2040 but most countries have goals set between 2050-70 which is not soon enough. Even though 18 countries have reduced their emissions in the past decade, it was also found the temperature increase is more disruptive than previously thought.

In this article it is prevalent that the main idea is the future is in our hands and whether we decide to make a change for the better and work towards fixing climate change, or whether our earth declines to points we cannot come back from is in our hands. Basically we are not reaching the goals we need to be reaching quick enough to be able to make a difference that will save the planet. At 1.5 degrees there are still coral reefs and things can be revived, however once we hit 2.7 this will not be the case. Not only will the planet be at risk, but humanity as well. Fresh water on islands will become less accessible and heat waves will become more intense. Other factors of climate change will amp up making it much harder for humans to live. This will become more unbearable to the point of possibility of way more deaths. So this is a serious matter not only for the people and places (habitats) it affects, but also everyday humans will be affected as well.

NASA. (2023, August 22). NASA maps key heat wave differences in Southern California – climate change: Vital signs of the planet. NASA. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3280/nasa-maps-key-heat-wave-differences-in-southern-california/ 

The article talks about the rising temperatures and how people get acclimated to where they live. It is predicted that California will get more heat waves in the future due to climate change. To see the effects they tested how strong heat in southern california would affect it. They found they can not just look at air temperature to find the impacts and see how anomalus conditions make a difference. According to the national weather service heat waves are the number 1 killer of weather. Heat waves are also becoming more humid from swelling moisture from the sea surface. They did a study to compare a heat wave in august vs september and found even though the september heat wave was cooler, it was more humid which lead to way more heat stress. This shows how you must account for other factors than just the temperatures. Another factor is that different places feel the heat differently. For example inland vs coastal makes a difference on the impacts of the heat wave. This should all also affect energy plans that are created and all of the different variables should be taken into consideration.

This article made me think about how worrying it is that the topic of discussion is the future preparedness of heat waves that are to come. The fact that they are studying heat wave patterns to see how they affect different areas and how they change in California is concerning. It is also important to have this information because I could better prepare myself and understand heat waves that are to come. I think that humidity is a big factor in these heat waves as well as location and all the separate variables are important to play into consideration. I wonder what are some good solutions to the situation. Obviously the heat waves are due to climate change but I would love to know if there is anything I can do to have a good impact on the climate. I also wonder how the heat waves impact different people and if the slowly changing climate has a huge effect on people or do they have time to adapt to it because it is a slow process, and the heat is just slowly rising. 

Tyson, Alec, et al. “What the Data Says about Americans’ Views of Climate Change.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 9 Aug. 2023, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/09/what-the-data-says-about-americans-views-of-climate-change/#:~:text=When%20asked%20what%20they%20think,should%20do%20more%20than%20others. 

The article basically talks about the types of adults that are open to changing their ways for the climate such as phasing out coal, and using renewable energy sources. Generally speaking the results showed that younger adults who are generally more democratic are more keen on using things that are better for the environment. One part of the article says, “nearly the same share of Americans (69%) favored the U.S. taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050,” which is more than half. This seems to be a trend throughout the article that over half the people believe we should be working towards helping climate change today. Except when it comes to Republicans, which is said, “75% of Republicans ages 65 and older prioritize expanding the production of oil, coal and natural gas.”

This article sheds a light on different perspectives people have on climate change. Overall most young democrats are said to want to be helping the environment whereas older people are more against it. 59% of Americans say they are not responsible for helping provide funding for renewable energy in developing countries. Which is kind of upsetting because even though people see there is a problem they do not want to actually find the means to take action. In an ideal world there would be funding through governments that was substantial enough to cover costs of helping better the environment. However, the people who can provide for others and seem to believe they want what’s best for the environment but do not want to be a part of making it happen. Although a UN conference recently put in a “lost and damage” fund for countries that are vulnerable to climate change which is good because that is a start for change and a step closer to funding to make a change.