Local Impact from Climate Change

Local Impact from Climate Change

Does any of this impact our community?

Let's take a few minutes to review what we already know...

Climate change

Weather and Climate differences

• Weather - a system is the interaction of different parts that produce something new

• Climate - made up of many different factors; including water, clouds, atmosphere, and temperature producing weather

Poll

Is there a difference between weather and climate?

• No

• Yes

Types of Pollutants

• Primary - Pollutants are emitted directly from an identifiable source

• Secondary - Pollutants that are produced in the atmosphere, chemical reaction

The Greenhouse Effect

• All of these items cause a reaction in our atmosphere which brings about climate change

• Sunlight hits the earth and is reflected

• CO₂ and other gases trap heat, keeping the earth warm

Poll

When you think about things that impact the climate, what key point do you think about?

• My community only

• My state only

• My country only

• I see it as a global issue

The hard truths of what is currently impacting climate change...

Everyone has a hand in it

Why start here?

• We start here due to the major environmental impact it holds

• In the South China Sea are the Paracel and Spratly Islands

• The Chinese Government has illegally claimed the islands.

• This was determined July 2013 at a UN tribunal convened at The Hague World Court.

These are the numbers that make this so important economically for the region, not environmentally.

Satellite photographs

• Before (left) after (right); one of the 20 islands being destroyed.

• The Chinese government is dredging massive amounts of the Sea Floor.

• Destroying reefs, sea life, overfishing, and altering ocean currents, having a global impact

• Creating major temperature changes in the sea

Chernobyl, Ukraine

• Major nuclear power plant meltdown

• 1986

• Impacted all of Europe immediately.

• Then the entire planet.

• Still impacting today, extremely toxic.

Bhopal Disaster

• India Gas Tragedy 1984

• World's worst industrial disaster

• 3,787 immediate deaths

• 16,000+ claimed lives

• Still highly toxic today

Colorado Gold Mine Spill

• 2015; US EPA caused the toxic spill

• 3 million gallons of heavy metals

• Spilled into Colorado River

• Contaminated river, drinking water, environmental impact

• 23,000 mines still exist

• Nothing being done to resolve the issue

Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

• Japan 2011

• Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

• The most severe nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

• The recent earthquake raised additional concerns about radiation leakage.

• It's radiation impacted US.

Chesapeake Bay Administration

• Annual budget $550 million

• 50% of that goes to salaries

• Largest estuary in U.S.

• Contaminated runoff from 7 states

• Impacting aquatic life

• Constant government oversight and no real change

James River

• Source of drinking water for Lynchburg and Virginia.

• 1100 toxic storage sites line the river

• 5 billion gallons of coal ash and millions of gallons of crude oil run along the river

• Farming key component

• Safe to swim 85% of the time.

College Lake

• Part of Blackwater watershed

• Serves as a sediment base

• The city and university are removing it.

• Making it an environmental wetland

• The city and university receive $23 million in encroachment payoffs.

Multiple Select

Whom do you feel impacts you the most? (Check all that apply)

• China

• India

• Russia

• USA

• All have a hand in it

Do we need to be worried about it here in our community?

• Yes, we really do

• There is a great concern for our community.

Each one of these items impacts our state...

Together, each one of these items causes an ongoing intensive chemical atmospheric reaction.

This affects our community.

The trend currently shows sea levels rising.

• These impacts cities along the coast and inland.

• Where will populations relocate too?

What is Virginia doing?

• $4 billion being spent in coastal areas to protect shorelines

• Passing laws

• Setting up new agencies

• Fixing stormwater systems

• Building coastal barriers

• Addressing living on the shoreline

Poll

Has your opinion changed since we started these discussions on climate?

• No

• Yes

• I still have questions