Climate Change in CT

Climate change is a scary and daunting problem. The whole world is experiencing consequences, some more than others. From wildfires, flooding, drought, heatwaves, intense storms, and much more, it is changing everyday lives. It causes damages to homes, businesses, parks, food production, mental health, and so much more. There are general conclusions that have been made about the world as a whole, but each part of the world experiences extremely different problems. This paper will focus on climate change in Connecticut. 

 

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information highlights 3 key problems that affect Connecticut the most. The first being a rise in temperatures. Temperatures have risen almost 3.5 F since the beginning of the 20th century. Not only is there a rise in temperatures, but an increase in heat wave intensity. Heat is a significant problem for lots of people in Connecticut. For some, there is a lack of air conditioning in their homes, and for others there is no escape from the heat if they do not have a stable living situation. The heat affects older citizens, “People aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems.” (CDC)

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The second key message is that annual precipitation has been highly variable. While there has only been a slight increase since 1895, that doesn’t mean precipitation isn’t a problem. When initially looking at the amount of precipitation received each year, you might not see a difference. The problem is that it is all coming down during extreme weather events, cities are receiving weeks worth of rain in a couple days. The frequency and intensity of precipitation events in Connecticut are projected to increase. Precipitation causes a lot of problems for people and the environment, the main problem being flooding. When loads of water comes down at the same time, there is not enough room for it to drain, especially in more urbanized areas.

 

The third key message is a rise in sea level rise. “Sea level has risen at a rate of 10-12 inches per century along the Connecticut coast, faster than the global rate.” (NOAA) The global sea level is projected to rise between a range of 1-4 feet by 2100, Connecticut possibly seeing bigger numbers. Sea level rise is an intimidating problem with more than 61% of Connecticut's population living in coastal areas. Similar to precipitation, sea level rise causes flooding, as well as erosion and loss of beaches/land. These issues can lead to property damage, closing of businesses, loss of income and so much more. 

All of these impacts cause lots of physical problems, but it is important to note the mental health impacts climate change has. Heat waves can cause stress, fear, health problems, sometimes heat waves increase abuse and domestic violence. Precipitation and sea level rise can make it impossible for people to commute to their jobs. It can cause businesses and homes to flood, resulting in unfathomable costs that most people don’t have the money for. This can lead to mold in houses, which leads to more health problems. Not being able to leave your home, or walk on the beach can have major mental health impacts. These problems are just scratching the surface of what climate change does to a town and people.