Arctic Fox
Many have heard the story of the canary in the coal mine and how years ago Canaries were used in coal mines to detect the presence of carbon monoxide. The bird’s rapid breathing rate, small size, and high metabolism, compared to the miners, led birds in dangerous mines to succumb before the miners, thereby giving the miners time to take action.
Franklin Mountains from West El Paso
All around the world we are seeing changes in climate that many are saying are human civilizations early warning of dangerous times ahead. President Obama when speaking about the urgency of climate said that the “climate is changing faster than we can address it”. As a result of his warning and the voices of other leaders and scientists and citizens around the world, our City has created the Office of Climate and Sustainability. The office hopes that we can make an impact in addressing the specific impacts of the global climate crisis as they relate to the urban desert environment and vulnerable populations of the Chihuahuan Desert. El Paso is on the path of working with others around the world in finding solutions to climate change impacts while reducing our carbon footprint. It won’t be easy, but there are hopeful signs in seeing El Paso’s younger generation speak out in favor of specific actions including putting environmental concern topics on election ballots.
Human caused climate change is changing the Arctic dramatically How will life in El Paso change over time as the climate changes? No one can say for sure, but many are saying that its going to get hotter which will definitely impact our quality of life if we don’t find ways to live with all the changes.
The melting of the Arctic contributes to rising sea levels, and is likely to provoke extreme temperature events beyond the Arctic. Did you know that El Paso, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Phoenix have warmed more than any other cities in the country and that each has gotten at least 4.3°F hotter since the first Earth Day in 1970?
The warming Arctic reveals shifting seasons, widespread disturbances, and the value of diverse observations. Every year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issues the Arctic Report Card with reliable and concise environmental information on the current state of different components of the Arctic environmental system relative to historical records.
The Report Card is intended for a wide audience, including scientists, teachers, students, decision-makers and the general public interested in the Arctic environment and science.
Photos
Top – Ucumari photography, Wikimedia Creative Commons
2nd from Top – Rick LoBello
Others – NASA