The U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research released a report yesterday that forecasts more drought, hurricanes and severe weather. One could make an argument that we are already seeing these effects with the recent flooding of Cedar Rapids Iowa as well as the droughts in California, Georgia, and Australia.
What does this mean for the midwest states?
Lake levels are already taking a hit. Though Lake Superior has rebounded to normal levels due to a wet spring Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are down. The lack of winter ice causes more evaporation of the lakes.
But experts are forecasting more severe weather, this sounds like maybe it would help water levels but the major problem with that is the toll it will take on water quality. Every time we get heavy rains the sewer systems get overloaded and it washes large amounts of raw sewage into our waterways. This is where the E.coli comes from and why beaches get closed down. At the very worst these may contribute to large dead zones within the lakes.
The good news is that throughout the region public forums and newspaper editorials are bringing this issue into the consciousness of people. That is the first step, educating the masses and explaining the problem. With bipartisan and public support we can begin to effectively combat these issues and keep our lakes great.
Global Warming Report
Sciencedaily Story: Global Warming Likely to Fuel Severe Weather
Iowa-Like Floods to Increase With Global Warming
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