Climate 101

What is Climate Change? 

The term “climate change” refers to the rapid rise in global temperatures over the last century, caused by the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases come from the burning of fossil fuels (such as oil, coal, and natural gas) for energy and other human activities—and they trap solar energy in our atmosphere.

Climate vs. Weather

“Climate” refers to the typical weather patterns in a region over a long period of time—usually about 30 years.

“Weather,” on the other hand, is what’s happening outside right now. 

Earth’s climate naturally changes based on the planet’s position relative to the Sun and the natural release of greenhouse gases over long periods of time.

Image credit US EPA

But what we’re experiencing now is very different.

Since the Industrial Era began in the mid-1700s, human activity has generated rapidly increasing amounts of greenhouse gases. This has sped up and altered the natural climate change we would otherwise expect. 

What does Climate Change mean for the Neponset River Watershed? 

The warming of the planet is already changing rainfall and snowfall patterns, leading to more frequent, intense, and flood-causing rainstorms.

Photo credit Boston Globe

These shifting patterns also cause more frequent and severe droughts, which are further worsened by longer heat waves. 

Neponset River in drought, Milton

Rising temperatures are also causing ocean water to expand, and glaciers and ice sheets to melt, leading to rising sea levels.

High tide at Tenean Beach, Dorchester

This causes coastal erosion and stronger storm surges. Warming ocean temperatures and air fuel storms, making hurricanes and thunderstorms more frequent and intense. 

Consequences of Climate Change

Public Safety 

  • Increasingly frequent heat waves, windstorms, flooding, and drought increase risks for wildfires and stress water supplies.
  • Storms can bring down trees and utility poles, often interfering with access to emergency services and first responder responsibilities. 

Public Health 

  • Climate-driven heat waves are more deadly than floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and cold combined—killing an estimated 50-100 people in the Boston region annually.
  • The average number of days per year over 90° F is expected to more than double in the coming years. 
  • Those with respiratory illnesses and those who work outdoors will be at greater risk of heat strokes and other heat-induced illnesses.
  • Schools without cooling equipment may have to close. Increased use of cooling equipment across the region may strain power resources, causing outages (and making the situation worse for those more at risk of illness or death in the heat). 
  • Flooding can increase polluted runoff, potentially affecting:
    • Recreational areas
    • Drinking water supplies
    • Homes. 

Infrastructure 

  • The term infrastructure refers to public resources and systems that serve a community, including:
    • Roads and bridges
    • Public transportation systems
    • Hospitals and public works facilities 
  • Changes to precipitation patterns are leading to more flooding and also more drought, which can stress:
    • Our roads, culverts, and dams
    • Utility services
    • Access to other resources, such as medical facilities, schools, and grocery stores. 

Property Damage 

  • Increasing flood risk and windstorms may cause significant damage to homes or businesses.
  • Residents and businesses not used to seeing any flooding may experience it more regularly in the future.
  • Many may be unprepared, for example:
    • Lack proper insurance to recover from losses
    • Not having protective measures in place for their property

Ecological 

  • Flood waters can flow into sanitary sewers, releasing bacteria and other pollutants into:
    • Recreational areas
    • Drinking water sources
  • Global warming is also changing the length and temperatures of our seasons, which can:
    • Affect crop growing periods
    • Allow disease vectors to thrive in new areas for longer periods of time
  • Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns may reduce:
    • The amount of available habitat for fish and wildlife
    • The quality of habitat for fish and wildlife

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