Climate Impacts
GLOBAL IMPACTS
It's happening now. The scientists are in consensus, and the UN's IPCC is sending an increasingly urgent message: the climate is warming due to human activity (primarily fossil fuel combustion and deforestation), with disastrous impacts. As atmospheric greenhouse gas levels rise, we've seen unprecedented loss of sea ice and mountain glaciers, heating oceans and rising sea levels, less global snowfall, and rising average surface temperatures. Weather events are becoming increasingly extreme, threatening a billion (yes, a billion) people with displacement due to flooding. Shifting precipitation patterns are already leading to conflict over water. Our food supply is already under stress. The worst effects are felt by marginalized communities and the youngest generation. This is a global crisis.
_edited.jpg)
MINNESOTA IMPACTS
U.S. Forest Service photo
It's happening here. This is not some far-away, not-my-problem, "tree-hugger" issue: it's already impacting everything that is important to Cook County residents. Some of the worst impacts:
​​
-
Record heat waves and snow loss (exemplified by this winter)
-
Dangerous air quality due increasing to wildfires
-
Drought
-
Changing weather patterns
-
Warming surface waters leading to loss of fish habitat and algae blooms
-
Pests and invasive species migrating North
-
Minnesota's insurance rates are rising faster than the national average​
Even if you don't always think about it, the climate crisis is impacting to you. If you are an outdoorsman, this issue is impacting to you. If you enjoy winter sports, this issue is impacting to you. If you like to garden or hike, this issue is impacting to you. If you rely on our strong local economy driven by wilderness enthusiasts, skiers, and tourists who might decide not to come to the North Shore during wildfire season, this issue is impacting to you. If you don't have space in your wallet for more insurance hikes, this issue is impacting to you.​
​
And most of all, if you care about someone who fits into one of the categories above, this issue is impacting to you.
DON'T LOSE HOPE
This situation is very grim, but remember that giving up has a huge carbon footprint.
​
We have the tools to address this problem. This crisis is dire, but not hopeless.
​
Above all, keep your eye on the prize: as we take steps to decarbonize Cook County and the planet, we are building a world that's cleaner, wilder, more equitable, and more peaceful than what we had before this crisis. That's pretty exciting.
Don't lose sight of what we're fighting for.