This article outlines how changes in the climate are impacting Minnesota communities and ecosystems. It was written by Lucinda Johnson and Stephen Polasky and was published in 2003, by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Ecological Society of America.
The article lists the present signs of climate change throughout the Great Lakes region and then highlights the potential impacts of these changes on agriculture, wildlife, forests, water sources, human health, and recreation and tourism. The signs in Minnesota that climate change is present according to Johnson and Polasky, are the average temperatures are increasing, severe rainstorms are becoming more frequent, winters are getting shorter, and Lake Superior’s ice cover is drastically decreasing.
The article shares how the chnaging climate in Minnesota does not only affect the weather and ecosystem but everything on earth. Plants and animals will have to move north because they are unable to adapt to the warmer weather and in some cases it is impossible for this to take place. Extinctions of many plants and animals will be the result. One great consequence to climate change that the authors points out was on human health. With such extreme variations in the weather, more disease and airborne illness will come about. The H1N1 is a great example of a new illness that could spiral out of control with variations in the weather.
Lucinda Johnson and Stephen Polasky outlined many steps that ordinary people can take to reduce the potential impacts from climate change. First, by reducing heat-trapping gas emissions. This could be accomplished with the increase in energy-efficient products, investing in renewable energy sources, and through clean transportation choices. Another step is to minimize pressures on the environment by improving air quality and protecting fresh water sources. Lastly they state that we need to be well prepared for the impacts that cannot be avoided.
I find this argument convincing because I have noticed a change in Duluth’s weather, especially how warm it has been at the start of November. I feel like changes need to take place immediatley and Lucinda Johnson and Stephen Polasky did a good job at outline steps that could be taken towards fixing this problem. It is unrealistic to say that everything can be fixed and the authors accept this by saying we must prepare for what cannot be avoided. Protecting the fresh water sources and ensuring clean air should be the primary focus. If these sources are destroyed all life on earth will perish. This article outlines what will happen if changes are not made making the claim that the vital resources on earth need protection.
Johnson,L & Polasky, S. (2003). Minnesota:Confronting climate change in the great lakes region. Accessed 21, October. http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes
