This article talked about the impact of climate change on coral race reefs. It especially talked about the coral reefs off the gulf of Texas and Florida especially this past summer with record-breaking heat, there has been increased bleaching incidents due to the rising temperatures. Coral reefs expel algae living in their tissues, which make them turn white when exposed to stressful conditions, such as temperature rise or increased light. In this case, reefs in Florida, and Texas are being bleached due to the rising temperatures in those regions. The article talked about how the coordinator of national oceanic and atmospheric administrations. Coral reef watch is unsure of the quantity of coral reef that will die given coral dies one to two years after bleaching. The article provided insight into the vitality of coral reefs, especially the one in Florida given it is the third largest coral reef in the world. Climate change, and rising temperatures are essentially making it so habitat for thousands upon thousands of species are being destroyed given our planet’s rising temperatures.

I thought this article did a good job today of explaining how cool reefs provide a vital habitat for marine species. I also thought it was very interesting how reducing stress for factors in the water also hinders speeds up the bleaching and eventual death of coral habitats. For example, the article did a good job of talking about possible efforts to reduce bleaching, which include providing spaces where boats can dock, therefore, limiting movement and stress in the water. Furthermore, the article did a good job of explaining how the removal of invasive species can help coral reefs given it is another extremely disruptive factor contributing to the degradation of coral habitat.

This article discussed the many fields that are affected by climate change in California. In this article, it talked about wildfires, heat waves, sea level, rise, and droughts that burden cities in California everyday. In terms of heat waves, the article discussed that they appointed a chief heat officer to analyze neighborhoods that California can implement cooling strategies in. It talked about how models are widely uncertain at the moment regarding sea level rise because it will depend on how quickly ice sheets respond to the heating temperatures. However, they do expect 4 to 8 inches in the next three decades. The article alluded to the alarm that coastal homeowners will feel as a result of this. In terms of flooding, the article described how atmospheric rivers have been detrimental to communities across California. For example, the bear had numerous atmospheric rivers last year, which caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and correlates to the increased insurance rates throughout California.

I really liked how this article alluded to so many of the current events surrounding climate change in California. For example, California, and especially Lake Tahoe has had a significant lack of snowfall this far, which is a result of the increased rainfall, in addition to rising temperatures in the Sierras. Furthermore, the correlation between climate change and food production was underscored through this article. It was super interesting to me Climate change creates more intermittent storms, which flood farms, subsequently hindering the food supplies in California. I think this article did a really good job of drawing that connection, and it almost served as a persuasive article because that connection was made so clear. Finally, I appreciate how the article described the negative effects that the recent atmospheric rivers and el nino years have had on California’s climate.

This ABC News article discussed the effects of climate change in New York city. It discussed how in the summer hotter temperatures are hurting city dwellers, especially in disadvantaged communities. Especially New York, known as the concrete jungle, there is a huge lack of greenery. The abundance of concrete absorbs the heat, creating the heat island effect which the article described as a positive feedback loop, plaguing the city more and more. Next the article summarized how there is increased flooding even in the summertime in New York City. Additionally, the concrete jungle effect does not help flooding. There’s no soil to absorb flood water, making New York City especially vulnerable to these prevalent Storms.

I thought this article was pretty interesting, because it pointed out the not often talked about effects of climate change in big cities. I never imagined that simple concrete would make a city so prone to flooding given there’s virtually no space for the water to go. I was surprised that New York City is going to be burdened financially so much because they are implementing a building rule that requires developers to build above base flood elevation. I am also surprised that an event like hurricane Sandy, which happened so many years ago has prompted such a delayed response for government officials in New York.

This article is a news article from the Texas tribune discussing the effects that climate change has on the economy. Specifically, the article discusses how climate change has a direct effect on the “skyrocketing“ homeowner insurance rates this year. Combined with inflation, the article discusses how homeowners are being put up against the wall financially given the rising insurance and construction costs. This is widely because Texas is very prone to natural disasters, including hurricanes and powerful storms. Texas emits the most greenhouse gasses of any state, even to the point where it emits twice as much as the second leading state (California). The article finally discussed the TWIA, which works as a reserve fund to provide financial assistance to Texas homeowners that live on the coast in the event of natural disasters.

I thought this article was really interesting. Especially the fact that I am already aware that insurance costs are going through the roof in California, the second leading greenhouse gas emitter. I believe that this article provides very good insight into Texas’s lack of action when it comes to tackling climate change and limiting their insanely high greenhouse gas emissions. I think that Texas as a state needs to take a more active approach rather than their current passive approach. This would mean tackling the core of the problem being their emissions. In the event that they were able to actually tackle climate change, and limit these common natural disasters, they would not have to create such a big reserve, taking hundreds of millions of dollars from insurance companies to aid these coastal communities especially.

Fossil Fuel Treaty. (2023, September 1). State Of California Becomes the Largest Economy To Endorse The Call For A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Retrieved Jan 27th, 2024, from https://fossilfueltreaty.org/california-assembly#:~:text=01st%20September%2C%202023%20%E2%80%93%20In%20a,economy%20to%20support%20the%20proposal.

California passed a resolution endorsing the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, becoming the largest global economy to support the proposal. (Non-proliferation = efforts and policies aimed at preventing the spread or proliferation of certain types of weapons, particularly nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.) The resolution urges Biden to back Pacific nations seeking a negotiating mandate for the treaty. The resolution is to try and manage fossil fuel production, including phasing out coal, oil, and gas, protecting workers, and transitioning to renewable energy.

This article is very much so related to environmental science as it addresses the endorsement of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This shows the state’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gasses and addressing climate change. These are all goals shared with those of the environmental science world. I found this article pretty interesting as I thought that this was a pretty big resolution and a pretty important one. I believe this is a very necessary and positive step in addressing climate change. Maybe other governments will follow? Who knows.

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.