Climate+Change+Information

Please write a summary of the climate change in your region on this page so that we can work together to create a context for our driving question. Include your resources! Try to limit your key points to a paragraph since this will only be a few seconds of our PSA :)

Good resource to show regional climate change throughout US!! []

Climate change in Southwest, US []

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The southwestern United States is becoming a dustbowl. The climate is becoming drier and drier and will continue to do so because of the increasing population and the limited natural resources. Seven southwestern states, with growing populations, rely on the Colorado River as their main source of water. Due to drought conditions in the Rocky Mountains, the level of water in the Colorado River is down 25% and still decreasing. There are an increasing number of people moving to the cities and turning agricultural areas into housing. The smaller amounts of farm land mean less space for plants and animals.

Climate change in Southeast, US

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Climate change in Midwest, US

****Midwest-focused solutions are critical.**** Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin account for 20% of the nation’s carbon pollution, with only 5% of the world’s population. The Midwest alone is responsible for more global warming pollution than any country, except China, India, Russia and Japan. That’s because the Midwest has the largest concentration of old, dirty coal plants that produce large amounts of carbon dioxide which cause global warming, and because we ar the hub of the U.S. transportation industry. This summary was referenced from "Environmental Law & Policy Center". The most dramatic climate change has been in the midwest USA compared to any other part of the U.S. The midwest has been increasing temperature at a rate of 1.7 degrees per year according to some studies. Because of the temperature change more rain and flooding will cause farmers to lose land and topsoil due to erosion and high intensity rainfall events. From what the Journal of Soil & Water Conservations states that these rainfall changes along with changes in temperature, solar radiation, & atmospheric CO2 concentrations, will have a significant impact on the increase of soil erosion rates. Websites below support information found on climate change in the midwestern states.

[] Midwest charts [|http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/nationalassessment/06C.pdf]

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GREAT- 1 Minute climate change video on Chicago, Illinois--@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLU_1mb21SU

Climate change in the Northeast, US []

OVERALL SUMMARY: "The climate is changing in the US. "