Over the last century there has been an explosion in human growth and innovation that has added to our lives through technology and has also expanded how we view and understand the world. Climate change has been receiving increased attention in the media and scientific community. Irrespective of the cause, there is a truth in the observation that the Earth is experiencing an increase in temperature that will have far reaching consequences. The Great Lakes and global warming will vastly alter the landscape and environment of that area of America in the coming future.
This area is already dealing with the deleterious affects of invasive species, and something like climate change will only act like fuel to a fire. Twenty percent of the world’s fresh water comes from the Great Lakes, it is a major source of this finite resource and any depletion will have massive and widespread repercussions.
Being a huge reservoir for fresh water cannot be downplayed in its importance, but there are other things that the region provides. It is a main player in the waterway shipping, as well as a provider of hydroelectric energy to many surrounding areas. Many tourists flock to its shores, which are also a treasure trove of plant and animal species.
With all of these positives, there is a flipside to use and land development including air and water pollution and urban encroachment into habitats. Because of these issues, the region is more susceptible to being affected by global warming. Something as innocuous as climate change can reap disastrous results.
Increasing temperature will melt the ice cover that, at this point, is already quite thin along the lakes. No cover will increase the overall evaporation of the lakes and decrease overall water levels.
Lake Superior was at its lowest levels in seventy seven years as recently as last year and the future could bring another meter of water loss. The effects of low water levels will impact shipping routes and will concentrate the pollutants left behind which will damage overall water quality, as well as the tourism industry such as cruises.
Efforts are underway to restore the Great Lakes with billions of dollars needed to update the antique sewage systems as well as cleaning up the polluted sediment that already exists. Building up the wetland environments at the edges of the lakes will create a natural water cleanser and impediment to invasive species.
Another issue outside of a lower water level includes more droughts and storms which will create a cycle that could result in increased pollution runoff, virus transmission, as well as oxygen free dead zones within the lake due to the growth of algae.
What does the future hold? It cannot be known with absolute certainty, but models have provided some statistics. Storms may increase by 25%, but with the temperature increases (ranging between two and four degrees), the water levels can drop up to eight feet!
Making a better tomorrow really does mean being better today. Allowing for proactive measure while being realistic about future effects can mean that humans can restore luster to the Great Lakes region.
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Tags: climate, education, environment, global warming, great lakes, leisure, nature, recreation, scenery, toronto, Travel, vacation, water