CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT ON WV

Climate change has had a pretty big effect on the state of West Virginia in many different ways.  West Virginia has seen a ton of flooding due to having heavier rainstorms which often damage homes, towns, and roads.  Warmer weather due to climate change also have a big affect on farming by changing the growing seasons which increases the chances of wild fires.  It has also had an effect on West Virginias coal industry which was a huge part of their economy which is now being replaced with more clean energy.  Overall climate change has had a pretty big impact on the state of West Virginia.

TIDES

Tides are the regular rise and fall of ocean water which are mostly caused by the gravity of the moon.  Although tides are natural climate change can make them much more dangerous.  As sea levels rise due to climate change high tides can be pushed further inland which can cause more flooding for communities on the coast line.  Also when stronger storms come in and they combine with high tides it can create bigger storm surges that can damage beaches, ecosystems and homes.  This means tides are becoming a larger threat in many parts of the world.

TSUNAMIS

Tsunamis are waves much bigger than tides which are usually caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.  These are not directly affected by climate change but with rising sea levels it can make them more dangerous.  Coastal areas have already been struggling with flooding due to rising sea levels and they can face even more destruction if a tsunami happens.  Climate change may not have a effect of when a tsunami happens but climate change can make them more destructive.  

RED TIDES

Red tides are algae blooms that cause sicknesses through people and harm marine life.  The growth of these are caused by warmer ocean temperatures which are caused by climate change.  As the ocean warms up these happen more often and last a lot longer.  Pollution and run off can also make the problem worse than it already is.  Red tides are very harmful to all ocean life like turtles, dolphins, fish and also hurt local fishing economies.

OCEAN WARMING

As we talked about how red tides are increased with the ocean warming up ocean warming itself is one of the biggest effects of climate change.  The ocean absorbs so much of the earths extra heat which causes climate change to have such a large effect on the ocean.  Warmer waters can strengthen hurricanes, bleach coral reefs, and force species to move.  Warmer oceans also can change weather patterns around the world.  Ocean warming has a effect on a ton of things such as communities, marine life, and ecosystems.

DEAD ZONES

Dead zones are parts of the ocean that have very low oxygen where most marine life cannot survive.  Climate change causes more dead zones because warmer water carries less oxygen.  Also when flooding happens it can wash things like fertilizer in the ocean and feed algae blooms which use up oxygen.  Dead zones are very dangerous to animals like fish and other creatures that need oxygen in the water.

COASTAL HABITATS

Coastal habitats such as mangroves, wetlands, and marshes help protect shorelines and wildlife.  Climate change creates a threat for these habitats with the rise of sea levels, stronger storms and erosion.  When these habitats disappear it takes away homes from animals and it also takes away natural barriers for flooding.  Protecting these coastal habitat isn't only just important for the wildlife and its homes but it is also very important for humans who live in these coastal areas as well.

OCEAN CURRENTS

Ocean currents play a big factor in moving heat around the Earth and helping regulate its climate.  Climate change can play a factor in disrupting these currents when they melt polar ice and add more fresh water into the ocean.  Changes in ocean currents can have a huge impact on the planet.  It can affect marine migration, food supplies, and weather.  Overall this can lead to big changes in the environment throughout the whole world.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

Ocean acidification takes place when the ocean absorbs too much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  When this happens it makes the ocean more acidic.  This can be very harmful to a lot of shell building animals such as oysters, corals, and some types of plankton.  Climate change is creating a big increase in ocean acidification which can damage a lot of foods and take a big hit on the fishing industry.  It is often recalled to as climate changes evil twin because of all the negative effects.   

OFFSHORE DRILLING

Offshore drilling is used to get gas and oil from beneath the oceans floor.  Although it's important to get these materials it can damage ecosystems if there are spills and pollution.  Also when these fossil fuels are burnt it adds greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which increases climate change.  Climate change can also make drilling riskier because it creates stronger storms mentioned earlier in the book and can be a threat to the drilling platforms.  This can create economic and environmental dangers.