Tag Archives: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

What is Climate Change? Part 2

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On Wednesday we explored the definitions of climate change and global warming as well as some of the causes. For reference, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that “[c]limate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer.” Learn more about climate change with the EPA’s “Climate Change Facts: Answers to Common Questions” page.

"The current and future consequences of global change"

"The current and future consequences of global change"

So what does this mean for our

day to day lives? According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), “[g]lobal climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier each season, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. The effects that scientists predicted would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.” Learn more about the effects of climate change here.

If you would like more information about the science behind climate change, check out the EPA’s science site. For short informational films on various aspects and effects of climate change, check out NASA’s “Climate Reel”.

If you are interested in learning what “key indicators,” scientists use when monitoring climate change, such as global surface temperature, this NASA site should prove useful. For specific evidence of climate change, check out NASA’s “Evidence” site which seeks to answer the question, “Climate change: How do we know?”.

What is Climate Change? Part 1

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Today’s post covers the definitions and causes of climate change and global warming Friday’s post will explore the effects of climate change and provide helpful resources on the science behind it.

During environmental discussions, people often throw around the term “climate change.” But what does it mean exactly? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), climate change “refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer.” You may also have heard the

term global warming, which the EPA says “refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth’s surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is causing climate patterns to change. However, global warming itself represents only one aspect of climate change.”

NASA graphic about the causes of climate change

NASA graphic about the causes of climate change

For a comprehensive website that explores what climate change is and what causes it, check out the

EPA’s Climate Change site. For a student-friendly website about climate change, check out the EPA’s “Student’s Guide to Climate Change.” For additional information, check out the EPA’s Climate Change Basics site.

So what is causing global warming? According to NASA, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “[m]ost climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the “greenhouse effect” — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space.”  Some of the gases that contribute to this greenhouse effect are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.” Learn more about the causes here.

October’s theme is…Protecting Endangered Species!

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Baby elephantThis month on the blog we will focus on protecting endangered species. Throughout the month, we will explore direct and indirect threats to plant and animal species and will showcase efforts of conservation organizations around the world to protect them.

What is the difference between a

threatened and endangered species? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Endangered species are those plants and animals that have become so rare they are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are plants and animals that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

So what are some of these endangered animals? Rhinos, elephants and tigers are some of the big land mammals you probably recognize. But there are also smaller and lesser-known animals facing serious threats, as well as a variety of plants and other animal species. We will explore the causes of their endangerment, which include habitat loss resulting from human development, pollution, the illegal wildlife trade and climate change.

We will also showcase some of the conservation organizations that work not only to protect threatened or endangered species, but also the root causes of their danger. A large part of these efforts involve educating communities about how vital these species are to local ecosystems, environment and economy and devising plans to help humans and other species

learn to better coexist.

Baby Asian elephant in an elephant conservation center in Laos.This month on the blog we will focus on protecting endangered species. Throughout the month, we will explore direct and indirect threats to plant and animal species and will showcase efforts of conservation organizations around the world to protect them.

What is the difference between a threatened and endangered species? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Endangered species are those plants and animals that have become so rare they are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are plants and animals that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

So what are some of these endangered animals? Rhinos, elephants andtigers are some of the big land mammals you probably recognize. But there are also smaller and lesser-known animals facing serious threats, as well as a variety of plants and other animal species. We will explore the causes of their endangerment, which include habitat loss resulting from human development, pollution, the illegal wildlife trade and climate change.

We will also showcase some of the conservation organizations that work not only to protect threatened or endangered species, but also the root causes of their danger. A large part of these efforts involve educating communities about how vital these species are to local ecosystems, environment and economy and devising plans to help humans and other species learn to better coexist.
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Leading Today's Environmental Movement

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This post was written by Elana Goldstein and Trey Lewis, both of whom work at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Water.

Leading Today’s Environmental Movement

Rain barrels decorated by District of Columbia (DC) students of the various DC schools that participated in the Be Water Wise DC program this past school year.

Rain barrels decorated by District of Columbia (DC) students of the various DC schools that participated in the Be Water Wise DC program this past school year.

As youth, we often hear that we are the leaders of tomorrow. We are told that we are the future of the environmental movement and that someday we will be the ones to finally take the actions to set our planet back on a sustainable path. Living and working in Washington, D.C. for several years, we’ve discovered something important: we are not the leaders of tomorrow’s environmental movement; we are the leaders of today’s environmental movement, and we are helping make the world a more sustainable place to live. The luxury of time that has graced past generations is no longer a luxury we have. Some of the most precious resources on the planet are also some of the most imperiled, and the youth of the world are, whether out of passion or necessity, leading the fight to protect them. One of the places this is most apparent is in our field: water conservation and efficiency.

This past year, we had the opportunity to take part in the Be Water Wise DC program in Washington, D.C. Be Water Wise DC partner organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program provided support to schools so that local elementary through high school students could learn about water conservation and stormwater management through interactive projects and student leadership. The goal was for students to take the lessons learned with their project and help spread the message of water conservation through other actions in their school and community.

Students learned about water conversation by checking for leaky sinks and toilets in school bathrooms, measuring flow rates from faucets and observing rainwater runoff on their school properties. Then they implemented projects to address water savings at their schools. Projects included decorating and installing rain barrels to capture excess rainwater and use that rainwater to water plants, constructing rooftop gardens at their schools, raising American shad (a native fish) and releasing them into a nearby river, and educating their school communities on conserving water through assemblies and signage.  At the completion of the school year, the students presented their projects and the results to school and city officials and project partners.

A rain barrels decorated by students of one of the District of Columbia schools that participated in the Be Water Wise DC program this past school year.

Not only did the youth involved get to undertake real, meaningful projects to improve their community while learning about important issues, they also showed a passion and understanding that went beyond the expectations of any of the partners. The students grasped complex situations, developed strategies to find solutions and then executed the activities needed to bring about positive change.  They showed that the youth of today are ready to tackle the world’s environmental problems with a “think globally, act locally” approach, and improve upon current initiatives with their own passion and creativity.

We encourage you and other youth to consider implementing these kinds of learning through action projects in your community so that you can become a water conservation winner. You’ll not just be helping the environment in your local community, but also, as Robert F. Kennedy said, building ripples of hopes.

This entry reflects the author’s personal judgments and does not represent the views of the United States Government or the Department of State.

King Tides

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U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyThis post was written by Michael Craghan, a geographer who works on coastal management and climate change adaptation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

King Tides

I have always loved the ocean, and I am still awed by the natural forces that create the rise and fall of the sea. About a year and a half ago, I learned about “king tides,” the highest normally occurring tide of the year at a coastal location. King tides occur when the orbits and alignment of the Earth, moon and sun combine to produce the greatest tidal effects of the year. King tides often produce minor flooding in low-lying neighborhoods that are near the coast and tidal rivers.

Climate change is raising sea levels around the

world. The normal tidal flooding that happens now just a few times a year at the annual peak will become a daily occurrence in the coming years and decades. In many places, sea level rise will make today’s king tides become the future’s everyday tides.

The idea of photographing the flooding caused by a king tide started in Australia. By taking a photograph of the king tide, others in the community would be able to see and understand the local effects of sea level rise. In January 2009, the world’s first organized king tide photography event was launched in New South Wales, Australia. From Australia, the idea spread to the west coast of North America. In 2010, people were taking photographs in Washington State and the Canadian province of British Columbia. In early 2011, photo contests were held in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Tidal flooding in Manasquan, New Jersey (USA)

Tidal flooding in Manasquan, New Jersey (USA)

I thought that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Ready Estuaries program could promote king tide photography to help raise public awareness about the effects of sea level rise. We began to spread the word about king tides to the National Estuary Program network of coastal watershed organizations that are found around the U.S. coast. In October 2011, 11 of the estuary partnerships on the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico held king tide events with their partners. Some held photo contests with prizes for the best pictures. Some held tide watch parties. It is great to see this idea take hold along the U.S. coast. Last spring, many of the National Estuary Programs held another round of contests. I hope this turns into an annual event. It is a great way to help people make a personal connection to the ocean.

In my work for the Climate Ready Estuaries program, I help coastal communities prepare for climate change impacts. Cities, people, and transportation infrastructure are found at the coast for many good reasons, but they are at risk from sea level rise. King tide photographs are a fantastic way to communicate this threat. Residents and local officials can see what sea level will be like in their own neighborhoods. They do not have to imagine how it will be. King tides provide a glimpse of the future.

This entry reflects the author’s personal judgments and does not represent the views of the United States Government or the Department of State.

Additional links to National Estuary Program King Tide Projects

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cascobayestuary/sets/72157627904882473/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/seacoastkingtidephotos/

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.261114437267650.62018.117541254958303&type=3

http://www.harborestuary.org/aboutestuary-climatechange-tides.htm

http://bbp.ocean.edu/pages/357.asp

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1692657@N23/

http://sarasotabay.org/2011/11/king-high-tides-photo-project/

 

 

 

 

http://www.tbep.org/climate/king_tides_photo_contest.html

This entry reflects the author’s personal judgments and does not represent the views of the United States Government or the Department of State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploring Sustainability

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ass=”size-full wp-image-1360 ” title=”bluefin-tuna” src=”http://climate.america.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bluefin-tuna.jpg” alt=”Bluefin Tuna in tuna ranching company’s (Ecolo Fish) cages – Mediterranean Sea, Spain” width=”397″ height=”264″ />

Bluefin Tuna in tuna ranching company's (Ecolo Fish) cages - Mediterranean Sea, Spain

The idea of sustainable development can be a complicated one: growing while reducing one’s impact on the environment. There are social components tied to logistical concerns, and there is always the issue of resources: from water to land to funding. To help navigate things, we can start with the idea of sustainability.

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency defines sustainability this way:

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.

So how does that impact you, today? Are there steps that you can take in order to live more sustainably? Many of you may already be doing things that are sustainable: using LED light bulbs, recycling, reducing water waste (such as when washing dishes or brushing one’s teeth), turning off the lights when you leave the room to reduce energy use. These are all fantastic!

Have you considered plugging all your electronics into a power strip and turning off that power strip at night or when you are not home? This stops unnecessary energy waste. A great way to cut back on harmful chemicals and toxins getting into the water supply is to switch to natural, non-toxic cleaning supplies and soaps and shampoos. Do you often buy new clothes, shoes and accessories? Consider shopping at second hand stores, doing a clothing swap with friends, or buying clothing and shoes made from sustainably harvested materials.

Did you know that certain fish are sustainable, while others are being over fished and might disappear in as little as a few years? To find out if a certain fish is sustainably caught, enter in the name in this handy site.

There are many small steps you can take in order to make your life more sustainable. How do you live more sustainably?