Climate Scientists have told citizens of Chicago that the climate change in their area will make their air wet and steamy. The public was told to prepare themselves for this new weather. Drastic measures are being taken, like new air conditioners in schools. As Aaron N. Durnbaugh, deputy commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment, says, “Cities adapt or they go away,”. Not only are temperatures changing, but extreme weather events, like tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards, are on the rise. Scientists claim that if Chicago continues to burn carbons into the atmosphere then they would have summers like the deep south, with temperatures well over 90 degrees, before the end of the century. By 2070 Chicago can expect 35 percent more rainfall in winter and spring, but 20 less in the summer and fall, two major swings. The city also may run into problems with heat related death. Chicago needs to change drasctically if it wants to survive in global climate change.
In class we are learning about the atmosphere, and the sector of the atmosphere clostest to earth is the troposphere. Most of the weather happens in the troposphere, so what is happening in global climate change relates directly to the atmosphere. I find it disturbing that Chicago, a city so far north, could turn into a warm, humid place. The global climate change must be very extreme if it has the capability to do this. What were are doing to the atmosphere is very dangerous and needs to stop immediately. I like the fact that Chicago is adapting to the new climate, but I'm afriad they may be too late. It's a shame Chicago didn't realize their faults sooner, and now must rely on changing their way of life to fix things.
Questions:
1. How many tax payer dollars are being spent on this adaptation?
2. How much air pollution does Chicago make?
3. Is there any way to reverse Ozone damage?
4. Are other cities in the same predicimate?
5. Why are people just realizing this now?
I think its terrible that Chicago has to suffer through this. We have heard many threats of Global Warming, yet we did little to prevent it. Now, one more city has to suffer through the effect of burning fossil fuels, and its very bad knowing its a major city. I would hate to live in conditions like Chicago, where the air is "hot and steamy" and more threats for natural disasters. We really need to stop Global Warming soon or else the entire world will be severely devastated.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the smog in London, because both issues were caused by man, and the effects are now coming back to haunt cities. Its a shame what we are doing to our environment, and if we are not careful, things can turn disastrous immediately.
Questions:
1. Which part of Chicago was hurt the most?
2.What are a few things Americans can do to reduce Global Warming?
3. Besides fossil fuels, what other sources of carbon dioxide are being polluted into the air?
4. How does Global Warming cause natural disasters?
5. Should we be investing more money to help Chicago in their time of need?