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What is Climate Change?
Climate change...
- Refers to changes in long-term trends in the average climate due to natural variability or as a result of human activity, such as changes in average temperatures and precipitation
- Is occurring at an unprecendented rate as a result of growing greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants, and other human activities
- Is causing an increase in global average temperatures, record melting of polar ice, and droughts and storms of increasing frequency and intensity
As a result of climate change, Washington state is predicted to see...
- An increase in annual temperatures of between 2.0 and 5.3 °F by the end of the century (IPCC models)
- A decrease in snowpack as more precipitation falls as rain instead of snow
- Altered timing and amount of stream flows
- An increase in stream temperatures which will reduce the quality and extent of freshwater salmon habitat
- An increase in extreme high precipitation events in the Puget Sound area resulting in greater flooding risk for low lying areas
- An increase in the area burned by wildfires as a result of high summer temperatures and lower summer precipitation
- Sea level rise and shoreline erosion
Effects of climate change on Lake Whatcom may include...
- Changes in lake levels as a result of altered timing and amount of stream flows entering the Lake
- Increased stormwater runoff flushing more contaminants and sediments into the Lake
- Increase flood risk for low lying areas surrounding the Lake
- Floods could overload stormwater and wastewater systems, and could damage water and sewage treatment facilities
- Higher temperatures combined with increased nutrients entering the Lake could result in increased algal blooms on the lake surface which could exacerbate dissolved oxygen deficits in the Lake
- Higher water temperatures may force cold water fish species, like salmon, to find other more suitable habitat in order to survive
- Increased vulnerability to invasion by aquatic invasive species that are more able to adapt to a changing environment
What can I do to help?
- Reduce your vehicle use and carpool, take the bus, or ride your bike!
- Conserve energy and water
- Sign up to help with a habitat restoration project - a healthy habitat is a more resilient one!
- Retrofit your home and yard to reduce the flow of stormwater, and contaminants, from running off your property into the Lake
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