Effects of Climate Change in Missouri
a food supply. We’ll also look at how urban heat islands can be affected by this global problem. This article will be a useful tool for those who are concerned about the effects of climate change in Missouri.
Impacts of climate change on human health
Climate change is already affecting Missouri and its population. The state’s temperatures have risen between 0.5 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century. Climate change is predicted to worsen hazard events like flooding and drought and result in higher temperatures and more frequent wildfires. This will affect human health in many ways, including increased air pollution, shortened pollen seasons, and elevated stress levels.
Extreme weather conditions cause a wide range of health effects, ranging from decreased work performance to increased depression. These impacts may also affect people’s sense of self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, more frequent and intense floods and droughts can reduce the amount of drinking water available for residents. The effects of climate change on human health aren’t limited to Missouri, though. As temperatures continue to rise, more natural disasters may occur, including floods, droughts, and mudslides.
The Center for Community Health Partnership and Research supports Environment Missouri in addressing the impacts of global warming on the health of its residents. The center provides information and educational materials about climate-related health risks and educates residents, community groups, and policymakers about the risks associated with global warming. Sadly, this administration’s actions fuel the climate crisis and negatively affect the lives of American citizens in all 50 states. For example, in the past three years, Missouri experienced nine major storms, three floods, and one drought, with a combined $1 billion worth of losses.
A city like Kansas City is expected to experience an increase of four degrees Fahrenheit in annual average temperature. As Kansas City already has a high energy burden, the additional heat and humidity will add to its electric bill. Moreover, city dwellers are particularly vulnerable to heat and humidity. The urban heat island effect increases the likelihood of heat and humidity in the city. For this reason, people living in low-income areas and in the urban core are more likely to suffer from heat-waves.
The NIH is pursuing a comprehensive understanding of the effects of climate change on the health of individuals and communities across the country. The agency has also initiated a program that aims to curb the impacts of climate change in Missouri. However, the plan is currently lacking in clarity. Despite this, the Obama administration is encouraging communities to adopt sustainable practices and programs in response to climate change. This will make the climate-change problem more manageable and more likely to benefit all citizens.
Currently, the average temperature of Missouri is expected to rise by 3 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. That’s comparable to what Pharr, Texas currently experiences in the summer. In the 1980s, Missouri saw about 100 mosquito-friendly days per year. By 2006, that number increased to 131 days. With more mosquitoes, there is an increased risk of various diseases caused by mosquitoes. Also, the Trump administration recently released a final rule to eliminate 2020 fuel efficiency standards. This decision will lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions and cost Missouri residents $571 million annually.
Impacts of climate change on food systems
In addition to affecting the safety of our food, climate-related disruptions can disrupt the transportation, storage, and distribution of our food. Most grains are transported by water. Extreme weather events disrupt waterways, and those that don’t cause floods or droughts can affect alternate transportation routes. The summer drought of 2012 in the United States had devastating effects on the Mississippi River watershed, one of the most important transcontinental shipping routes for agriculture.
The rising temperatures are threatening our food supply, and this could make severe food shortages even more likely. As the global temperature rises, yields of staple crops, such as maize, will decline. Maize is used in countless products, and it feeds livestock worldwide. Climate change is already causing stress in many large grain-producing regions. The agricultural industry will be hampered if it can’t adapt to changing climate.
Increased rainfall, rising temperatures, and decreasing soil moisture are all threatening our crops. Climate change also affects food prices, consumption patterns, and insurance. Because of the risks associated with climate change, all stakeholders need to adopt relevant policies to address its impacts. This way, farmers can produce enough food to feed the projected 9.8 billion people in the world by 2050. This will contribute to sustainable development goal number two.
Native and Indigenous producers can also be affected by the climate crisis. Native producers have limited access to land and face more challenges with credit than non-Natives. In addition, they are often affected by greater impacts of climate disruption. Therefore, Indigenous-owned food businesses can play an integral role in addressing the issues of climate change. These businesses are essential for Native communities, including the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian reservation.
The Resilience Project coordinator Jim Worstell recently finished a three-year research project to develop an index that rated the resilience of agricultural systems in all U.S. counties. He will discuss the impacts of climate change, COVID-19, and market volatility on agriculture. Jim will also give historical perspectives on homegrown nourishing food during pandemics. If you’re interested in attending this symposium, make sure to register early and be prepared to learn a lot about the topic.
Warmer winters and spring temperatures are affecting agriculture in the state. In Missouri, farmers are often prevented from planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall due to excessive moisture. In addition, heavier rains also wash nutrients downstream, fueling the lifeless “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, warm temperatures increase the risk of crop diseases, which will reduce yields. Fortunately, there are ways to combat climate change and the impacts of climate change on Missouri’s food systems.
Increased temperature is a direct result of climate change, which will increase droughts and hot temperatures. In addition, higher temperatures can lower crop yields and kill many species of fish and shellfish. Changing climate patterns affect the natural ecosystem, and a healthy balance between the two is essential to sustain the state’s food supply. And, a strong impact of these changes on the food supply and safety is already evident.
Impacts of climate change on urban heat islands
In addition to the urban heat island problem in St. Louis, Missouri faces the growing number of extreme heat days caused by climate change. There are four times more three-day heat waves each year in the Midwestern city than there were in the 1940s. And the nighttime temperatures are rising faster than they are during the day, which has an adverse effect on health and the economy. The Trump administration is trying to gut the cumulative impact requirement in the National Environmental Policy Act, which calls for climate considerations when developing major infrastructure projects. Thankfully, many cities are making efforts to combat the problem.
One example of a climate action plan is Phoenix, Arizona. The city is working with residents and advocates to develop a plan that protects vulnerable communities while reducing the impact of urban heat islands. The city hopes to have a complete climate protection plan in place by early next year. But until then, it will have to rely on existing climate protection strategies and innovative technologies for urban heat island mitigation. A number of local communities, including St. Louis, are using these plans to implement climate action and adaptation measures.
Because the heat islands of St. Louis and other cities have more urban heat than outlying regions, they are more susceptible to extreme heat events. While the sun may not be directly responsible for the increase in temperature, buildings and pavement radiate heat long after it has set. Areas with lots of trees and other vegetation are cooler due to shade and evapotranspiration (water evaporation from the leaves). While St. Louis may be warmer than surrounding areas, the temperature in the city remains consistent throughout the day.
The extreme temperatures and increased flooding that accompany climate change are two of the key indicators that warn of global warming. The impact of urban heat islands is not just physical, but also health-related. While the problems caused by urban heat islands may be far-reaching, solutions are still under study. The impact of climate change on urban heat islands is already affecting the lives of people in the area. It will become a major public health issue.
In Kansas City, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is funding a campaign to map the city’s urban heat islands. This mapping is part of a national effort to help cities combat this problem. The underlying problem is related to the broader climate change concerns. The Kansas City Office of Environmental Quality is collaborating with NOAA on the project. The results of the mapping project will be used to develop climate protection plans and resiliency plans.
One study in Kansas City showed that people living in low-income areas spent more money on energy than those in higher-income neighborhoods. In fact, low-income households in Kansas City spent 8.5% of their income on energy costs compared to households in higher-income areas. The findings were consistent across cities and regions in the past two years. In addition, the EPA found a similar correlation between energy costs and heat island impacts in their recent study.