Climate Catastrophe? Here's What the U.S. Could Look Like in 2100

We can still turn it around, but here is the world our grandchildren will live in if we don't.      By Jean Weiss

Jonathon Blair, Corbis

Rocky Mountains: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana

What we could see in 2100: Shorter snow season, early snowmelt, drought, wildfire and water issues

 

Scientists predict that by 2100 increasingly early snowmelts will put a strain on water supplies in Denver, Salt Lake City and other communities fed by Rocky Mountain rivers. Winter snowpack is a vital part of life in the Mountain West, says Trenberth. "Snow piles up in the winter, melts in late spring and summer, and rivers flow, providing water everywhere." But global warming is changing all that. "In the future, the snow season will get shorter, the snow pack will be less, and runoff could easily occur a month or two earlier," says Trenberth. "Instead of having peak runoff in June, it could happen in April. Then, by the time you get to June, [the entire region] is a lot drier" [than it is now]. The ski industry, now a main source of revenue for Rocky Mountain ski towns, will no doubt be put on notice, as will states downstream from the mountains. Less water in the Southwest will lead to drought conditions, more wildfires and stressed fish and other aquatic species, says Hoerling.

 

An earlier spring disrupts natural systems in ways that lead to human health issues, says Knowlton. Trees and plants leaf out earlier, the pollen-producing season lasts longer and higher aeroallergen concentrations exacerbate asthma and allergies. Some plants, like poison ivy, become more toxic when there are higher levels of Co2. A longer summer and short winter also allow insects like the pine bark beetle to thrive, threatening the health of trees and contributing to the risk of forest fires.

 
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Monday, May 04, 2009 9:14:26 AM
All you who don't beleive...I bet you will be 1st in line to be saved!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:29:07 PM

Totally correct!!!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:26:21 PM
I think people need to wake up and realize there is global warming. Sure it was a cold winter...wanna see evidence? GO TO THE NORTH POLE MAN!!! THAT IS WHERE THE TROUBLE STARTS!!!  HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT??? SHEESH!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 5:19:28 PM
soak your head 2100 we  all be gone and our kids children will get to deal with this!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 5:14:59 PM
well as it stands I don't think we as the current land lords of this planet stand much of  chance in changing anything, mother nature has a better chance of doing that for us. Then we can adapt or die, I like this plan better. Live fast live free full speed ahead find me more oil my hummer needs it! The science geeks  don't know anything about this planet. They went to colleges like MIT those kind of schools. NASA is studying why our planet is changing.  Rednecks from LSU UT etc say its all good its global cooling not warming the sky is blue. The sun came up again and I saw it!  people have to realize is that humans have only been around about 10,000 years (which coincidentally was the last ice age).  The earth is about 3.5 billion years old, these wet/dry and hot/cold cycles have been going on a long time. except this planet has 6 billion to support and 1 million hummers to fuel.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:06:42 PM
I must agree that all the hype and propaganda is getting quite ridiculous. I'm from Southeast Texas and we experienced snow this last winter. Yes, it has been many years since we had the accumulation we experienced..but still, 6-8 inches in most places and alot of ice? If the weather we experience down here is due to global warming.....I guess all the horse and cow farts started it all many many many many years ago...!!! Seriously, these guys need to find another hobby and stop making money off this mess.........
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 11:30:23 AM
If you want to make less of an impact on the future of the earth, the most effective way is to choose to have fewer children.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 11:15:31 AM

Why are so many living in denial?  Where on earth, as one as written here, is the climate getting colder when polar bears are on the brink of extinction due to the FACT their habitat (snow/ice) is melting away?  The polar caps are literally falling into the warm water they have created because of the warming! How can you explain the increased severity of the spring storms - not the increase in frequency but the increase in size and the growing size of the area they cover?  How do you explain just this past week in parts of the country at 4:30 in the morning, the temperature was 71 degrees and it is just a little over a month into the season of Spring? 

We  are supposed to take care of this planet, and in turn, it will take care of us.  However, we have taken it for granted.  The number of posts here relaying just 'don't care'; call it a 'bunch of bs'; 'someone is just trying to get rich scheme'; and, 'gloom and doom', attitudes is astonishing and very disheartening.   When babies, plants, houses, automobiles, our bodies, etc., etc., etc. are not taken care of properly, what happens? Yeah, you got it - so what makes you believe this planet doesn't need our proper care to survive or that the damage we have already done is void of some future dire consequence?  I am doing my part to 'clean up', and I am teaching my son and grandchildren the same!  And, I pray, we, who are taking this issue seriously outnumber you who aren't!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 5:20:15 AM

I have seen my northwoods go through many changes in the last 20 years.  Warmer summers and stormier winters(abet shorter). Frogs with 5 legs and mass die offs.  For those to deny it Think of it as evolution in action.  I intend to survive and help our world.

Changing a few wastful habits saves you $ and our future.  

Monday, April 27, 2009 6:22:38 PM

Another alarmist load of codswallop...Despite scientific evidence that the planet is cooling,the media still indulge in global warming fantasy..Its frightening that world leaders of supposed high intelligence actually believe it...How does it go??.Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story?...

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