As Earth Day creeps closer, the issue of global warming appears in the limelight once more, inundating audiences with information about melting polar ice caps, moving glaciers, rising temperatures and changing climates. This leaves onlookers to wonder: How will this affect me?
Scientists say even though Ohio is a landlocked area, changes throughout the state are destined to occur as polar ice caps melt and climates change.
Although not much about this phenomenon seems relevant to the day-to-day life of a student, Lonnie G. Thompson, Ohio State professor of geology, said the Midwest has far more links to the Arctic and global warming than one might imagine. It is relevant and needs attention, he said.
"Ohio will see a rise in temperature and changes in precipitation," Thompson said.
Over time, he said, minor changes can produce a major effect in Ohio.
"This winter was the first year Lake Erie didn't freeze. That changed the snowfall for the whole winter, because there was more water evaporating and thus more precipitation."
Thompson also said if the water temperature changes it can alter the fish population, which will in turn affect the birds in the area and their migratory patterns. In a domino effect, the climate can change insect populations within an area, cause foreign rodents to dominate and these animals - in a new environment - bring new diseases and other problems.
"It's a gradual top-down effect that needs to be dealt with from the bottom up, changing small things to help the greater good," Thompson said.
Roxanne Smith, a representative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said new animals in Ohio can make the entire ecosystem subject to change. Part of these changes will likely come as an influx of foreign, animal-borne diseases.
Smith also said if precipitation decreases there could be severe drought.
Drying of the Ohio region would cause fewer crops, fewer cattle and, in turn, less food. Thus, the changing climate can affect animals, food supply and the weather for Ohio residents, but they must also be aware of melting glaciers, Thompson said.
Yo Chin, a researcher at the Byrd Polar Center, said he sees the effects in the Arctic first-hand. "The glaciers are visibly retreating. It's pretty scary stuff," Chin said.
"There are 6.5 billion people in the world," Thompson said. "Consider how many of them live within 50 miles of an ocean. When the sea level rises it will displace people. If you don't live next to an ocean, the eco-refugees who do will change the landscape and habitat of those who do not."
Thompson compared it with what happened after Hurricane Katrina. The natural disaster primarily affected one coastal state and 400,000 Louisiana residents, most of whom now live elsewhere in the country. Global warming could cause people in all ocean-side states to move inland. The EPA claims there could be as many as 50 million environmental refugees worldwide if the ocean levels rise.
Among members of the scientific community, the majority view is that something needs to be done, especially when the climactic changes (and refugee New Yorkers) could be in Ohio's backyard. Thompson said if global warming is indeed caused by human action, there are many small steps that can be taken to counteract a gradually-changing atmosphere:
• Conserve. Turn off the computer when you are not using it - next to refrigerators, computers consume a large amount of energy.
• Invest in new products. Fluorescent light bulbs use significantly less energy and last longer.
• Reduce consumption of fossil fuels. OSU has bus service throughout campus and students have free access to Columbus city buses as well.
• Write to the Dean. Perhaps students with hybrid cars should get free parking as an incentive to help the environment.
• Get involved. Thousands of OSU students on campus can advocate change and make a big difference, working off the premise that spring quarter will eventually be too hot to enjoy being outdoors.
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