Climate Change Impacts in New York - The Nature …

1 Global Climate Change Climate Change Impacts in New york A summary of the threats that Climate Change poses to the people, businesses and ecosystems of New york W HAT N E W YO R K CAN E X P E CT. Estimated minimum of 5 F increase in temperature by 2100. Damage to coastal habitat, property and infrastructure due to sea level rise Declining drinking water quality and quantity Increased costs to dairy and agricultural farming Declining freshwater and saltwater fish populations Further degradation in air quality leading to exacerbated unhealthy conditions New york citizens have made substantial invest- ments in protecting the diverse and critical nat- ural resources throughout New york State.

2 From the estuaries on Long Island to the forests of upstate New york . For example, on Long A rise in sea level would seriously threaten miles of natural shoreline that provide undisturbed Island's Peconic and Great South Bay, environ- nesting habitat for birds and turtles as well as a refuge for rare beach plants on Shelter Island's mentally and economically important shellfish Mashomack Preserve. Carl Heilmann II. beds and coastal properties are at risk from sea level rise. On the Tug Hill Plateau, Adirondacks, and Catskills, large tracts of forest with econom- Increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the ically and ecologically valuable tree species, like sugar maples and spruce, are likely to be signifi- atmosphere have caused global temperatures to increase by cantly affected by the northward shift in their range.

3 More than 1 F over the past century. This global warming has Although New Yorkers produce more heat trap- resulted mainly from human activities such as the combustion of ping gasses than all of Central America and Mexico combined, the State has a tremendous fossil fuels and deforestation. Global temperatures are expected resource in its people, who now have the oppor- to rise more this century as emissions of heat-trapping gases tunity to lead the way in finding solutions to cli- mate Change and reducing its impact on future continue to mount.

4 While the Impacts of Climate Change will vary generations. from region to region, it's clear that almost every place on the Following is a summary of how Climate Change will affect New york : planet will be affected. taining current yields will cost more in the Striped bass is expected to experience a future. Increasing temperatures will major loss in habitat as ocean tempera- require more air conditioning to maintain tures rise, especially in the southern part existing levels of production, which will in of its range.

5 This could have significant turn cause electricity prices to rise. effects on the overall health of bass stocks Furthermore, if the increased electricity in New york waters. used to cool the barns is produced by fossil fuel-generated electricity, it will Degrading Air Quality exacerbate the severity of the impact of Northern cities are likely to have Climate Change . more heat related deaths because of insuf- ficient adaptation to extreme heat. Falling Lake Levels Additionally, these higher temperatures The levels of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will exacerbate the problem of urban air are expected to drop due to increased pollution, like ground-level ozone, elevat- evaporation and lower recharge rates ing mortality and asthma rates.

6 Caused by Climate Change . Lake Erie levels are expected to decrease by as much as five Northeast Regional Greenhouse feet by 2100, threatening wildlife and Gas Initiative Economically important species of trees, such as spruce and maple, could disappear from the Adirondack and reducing waters supplies for electricity Americans cannot continue to rely on other New york forests with increased temperature from generation. voluntary approaches to address the Climate Change . The Nature Conservancy threat of Climate Change .

7 Protecting the Forest Impacts Sea-level Rise Tree species are expected to migrate north last great places in New york for our Climate Change is estimated to cause the children and our grandchildren depends as temperatures increase causing impor- sea level along the coast of New york City tant species such as sugar maple and paper on the adoption of practical regulations to rise anywhere from one to three and a birch to dwindle, eventually disappearing like the Northeast States' Regional half feet by 2080 at a cost of billions of from New york permanently.

8 Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a mar- dollars in lost property and assets. Storm surges affecting shoreline properties will ket-based proposal to place caps on car- With increased temperatures and changes also increase by as much as 15 feet in that bon dioxide emissions from power in precipitation, New york and other same timeframe. Wide-spread coastal plants. RGGI will achieve greenhouse states in the Northeast are projected to flooding, accelerated beach erosion, and experience a 10-20% increase in the risk of gas reductions at the lowest possible the disappearance of important barrier forest fires.

9 Additional damage to the cost and will serve as a model for other and recreational beaches are all predicted forests will likely occur due to the spread multi-state and federal efforts. to occur as a result of rising sea level. of pests and diseases. These Impacts could Drinking Water Quantity and cause severe damage to wildlife habitats, Quality Impacts homes, and public health. The Nature Conservancy supports The rapid run-off from increased precipi- the adoption of RGGI and other tation levels is expected to affect New Declining Fish Populations The greatest dangers to the trout in the pragmatic policies that will york City's clean drinking water supply.

10 As freshwater rivers throughout New york reduce emissions causing global the sea-level rises, it will lead to increased are low levels of dissolved oxygen, slow saltwater intrusion when the seawater Climate Change . stream velocity, low depth of flow, high travels up freshwater systems, like the water temperature, and high levels of tur- Hudson River, which serves as a backup bidity. All these conditions could occur water supply system. New york City's with increased temperature and increased quest for alternative water supplies is likely drought conditions as a result of Climate to inflict a high economic burden.