Impacts of Climate Change on the Coastal Community of Alaska
Introduction
Climate variations denote the shift in global weather patterns associated with ever-increasing temperatures (IPCC, 2014). History has it that the current global temperatures are way high when compared to the period between the 1850s and 1900s, this was during the pre-industrial age. Human activities have altered the desired conditions for animals, and crop survival. This comes as a result of the advanced and increased industrial processes. In Alaska, the variations in climate patterns are resulting in unstable environmental changes which negatively influence the livelihood of the population. The damaging of the infrastructure has led to economic derailment thus posing unforeseeable risks to the residents.
Alaska is a coastal region and the only Arctic region in the US. Its marine and rainforest habitats make it different from other states. It has a population of about 1,000 people whose livelihood depend largely on fishing, hunting as well as tourism (Urama & Ozor, 2011). It is clear that the alterations that come with climate change have a greater impact on their normal conditioned lifestyle. The rising temperatures have affected the ocean sea level resulting in increasing water levels and melting of the glacial bedrocks. As a result, this extends the ripple effects to the people and their economic activities within the region.
Climate Change and Food Production
Agriculture is considered one of the major sector of the Alaska community and the US at large. Crops, livestock as well as fishing contributes to at least $400 billion to the US economy on an annual basis (IPCC, 2014). Agriculture relies heavily on climate, an increase in temperature and CO2 levels may either result in increased food production or declined crop yields. In order to realize the rewards of climate change, the soil proportions need to be taken care of, that is to say, its moisture content, nutrients levels as well as other factors should be maintained at a constant level. However, variations which come with drought and floods make it hard for farmers, fisheries and ranches which eventually, leads to threatened food security. High temperature causes the aquatic life to migrate to other stable ecosystems. Ultimately, climate variations make it difficult for farmers to grow crops, herd animals, and practise fishing (Urama & Ozor, 2011).
Temperature and Crop Production
Ozor & Cynthia (2011) postulates that the variations in temperature, carbon dioxide levels and light intensity greatly impact crop yield. Different crops require different temperature range for their stability and well maintained growth. The warming that results from increased temperatures may benefit some farmers; it dictates the kind of crop that needs to be planted. Consequently, when the temperatures exceed the optimum temperature for a particular crop, the same crop yields may decline. Some research potents that high precipitation rate influences crop growth negatively, in extreme cases, the crops may be prevented from growing. Floods and droughts also result in reduced crop production. Further, increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reduces the nutrients level thus influencing altering the required content of protein as well as minerals to plant species. Again, the nutritional value of some crops poses a threat to human health, mostly those who feed directly from the crops.
Climate Change and Fishery
The variation in climatic change impacts differently on the aquatic life, instances defined by high temperatures forces the marine life to migrate to colder places, this, as a result, may expose them to compete with other species for the available limited food as well as other necessary resources (Ozor & Cynthia, 2011). Conversely, certain marine diseases are linked to climatic change. High saline and temperature levels have resulted in the spread of oyster parasite to other regions of the Atlantic coast. Furthermore, periods of winter are heavily contributing to the spread of salmon diseases and the outbreak of coral and eelgrass disease among certain marine life.
Climate Change and Tourism
Changes in climate have rendered tourism sector in Alaska to be at risk. It affects the requisite facilities on land and in the ocean. The eco-tourism is adversely affected due to the extinction of certain marine life which saved as a great attraction. Again the reduction in biodiversity and the migration of species to new areas pose a challenge to the few existing species. In addition, the increased rate of forest fire has resulted in drought and infestation. This has negatively threatened the tourism sector as the regions where wine growing was done no longer suitable. The rising sea tides threaten the beach areas and destroy the serene coastal relaxing areas (Urama & Ozor, 2011). Again, the rising water temperature levels, as well as high levels of acidity, jeopardizes the reef habitat which serves as a great tourist attraction.
Climate Change and Power Supply
Statistics show that climatic variations in terms of temperature change, precipitation levels and the sea level influence the rate of energy production. Energy plays a crucial role in an economy; electricity is used to drive a myriad of industrial processes, lighting, transportation as well as production at different levels of human engagements. Energy production and usage are tied to many factors such as water, land and the economy level. IPCC (2014) argues that, during summer, the Americans apply more electric energy for conditioning purposes when compared to oil, fossil and coal. The increased demand for this purpose results in reduced levels of electricity. In addition, water levels are also affected by climate change. This, in turn, affects the rate of electric energy production. Areas with a scarce water supply have high chances of competition between energy production and domestic use. Consequently, the unstable sea levels which result in storms may disrupt the rate of energy production as well as delivery.
General Impacts of Climate Change on an Economy
A country’s economy is adversely affected by the varying changes in climatic condition. The agribusiness sector, fishing, livestock, tourism and hunting activities are stifled. Extreme temperatures results to high precipitation rates affect crop production and survival, leads to high sea levels characterised by storms and floods whose effects are felt by the locals who earn their living from the ocean offshore (IPCC, 2014). Again, tourist activities are affected as the beaches, and resting points are swept away by the floods. Further, the increased temperatures lead to the migration of sea creatures which cannot survive the extremely harsh condition. As a result, this may lead to the extinction of certain animal species and death of the few weak remaining species.
Adaptations to Climatic Change
In the agricultural and crop production sector, farmers should be encouraged to plant adaptable plant species to the varying climatic change — those crops which can withstand the harsh environmental conditions. Again, farmers should be educated on the aspect of crop rotation; this helps to maintain the nutrients levels of the soil thus being ready and in a position to support different crops.
The people should be encouraged to stop unhealthy tree cutting behaviours (deforestation). Instead, they should be informed of the dangers of tree cutting and the benefits that come with afforestation. In order to maintain the water levels, the water catchment areas should be protected from encroachment and settlement. When taken good care of, the indigenous tree species may serve to replenish the air and supply the people with medicinal options.
The Alaska community ought to be encouraged to adopt and apply the concepts of green energy. This will save and cut on the effects that accrue from carbon emission. The increased levels of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere result in increased temperatures, leading to global warming. The impacts of global warming are felt at every level of human engagement. Thus affecting the productivity level negatively (CCSP, 2008). Additionally, people should be given knowledge on how to conserve energy in their offices and residential places. The adoption of the green building would go a long way in saving energy costs and enhancing efficient energy use.
References
CCSP (2008). Effects of climate change on energy production and use in the United States. A report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research.
IPCC (2014). Climate change 2014: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. The contribution of working group II to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel.
Ozor, N. & Cynthia, N. (2011). The role of extension in agricultural adaptation to climate change in Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 3(3), 42–50.
Urama, K. & Ozor, N. (2011). Agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation for food security in Western and Central Africa. Agro-science Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension 10(1), 1–6.
Place this order or similar order and get an amazing discount.
