Signs of shift
10 ways climate change could affect conditions within your community
A broken tree branch lies on a car Aug. 19 after strong storms hit Milwaukee.
A man sits in the shade of a tree on July 27, a hot day in Los Angeles.
ENVIRONMENT
Symptoms of climate change are often associated with dramatic disasters, such as severe heat, drought and devastating hurricanes, but some effects show up in everyday life.
Climate change affects the environment in many ways, including rising temperatures and sea levels. Those changes affect water resources, energy systems, transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems and human health, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Here are 10 signs that your community feels the effects, according to sources including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1 Warmer nights
Rising night-time temperatures are one of the strongest climate signals, according to the EPA. Warmer nights reduce the body's ability to recover from heat stress, increase energy demand for cooling and raise health risks for vulnerable populations. EPA data show unusually hot summer nights increased across the United States faster than hot daytime temperatures.
2 Mosquitoes
Warm, humid climates always supported mosquitoes, but experts at the University of Georgia say climate change creates conditions for longer breeding seasons and allows some species to expand their ranges. Warmer temperatures can accelerate mosquito development and increase the period during which disease-carrying mosquitoes remain active.
3 Water threats
As sea levels rise, saltwater can move farther inland, threatening freshwater systems and groundwater supplies, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Climate Project. Saltwater intrusion is a growing concern for some communities and ecosystems.
4 Air quality
Wildfire smoke is a growing concern far beyond fire-prone regions. Schools, sports leagues and event organizers increasingly monitor air quality because smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. Health experts warn that wildfire smoke exposure can worsen asthma, heart disease and other medical conditions.
5 Allergies
Allergy season starts earlier and is more intense due to climate change, according to the EPA. Warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons can increase pollen production and extend allergy seasons, affecting urban and rural communities.
6 Flash floods
Communities don't need to be near a river or coast to experience climate-related flooding. More intense rainfall events can overwhelm storm drains, roads and aging infrastructure, creating "sunny-day" or nuisance flooding in unexpected locations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks precipitation and flooding as major climate-health indicators affecting communities.
7 Insurance costs
Many home-owners are surprised to learn insurance rates can rise because of increasing climate risks. As insurers adjust for growing threats from flooding, wildfire, severe storms or extreme heat, premiums may increase even if a community has not experienced a recent major event. NOAA also notes the rising economic toll of weather and climate disasters nationwide.
8 Growing seasons
Gardeners and farmers may notice planting calendars no longer seem as reliable as they once were. Earlier springs, later frosts and changing precipitation patterns can alter growing seasons and affect crop performance. The EPA identifies changing seasonal patterns as a significant indicator of climate change.
9 Intense heat
When local governments open cooling centers, issue heat advisories more frequently or track heat-related emergency visits, it's often a sign that rising temperatures affect community health. The CDC's Heat & Health Tracker was created because extreme heat events are an increasingly serious public health concern across the U.S.
10 Trees
Trees can be stressed by prolonged heat, drought, changing rainfall patterns, invasive pests and disease pressures that are influenced by a changing climate.Communities may notice increased tree mortality, reduced canopy cover or shifts in which species thrive. The EPA and CDC identify drought, extreme heat and ecosystem changes as important climate-related indicators.
