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The United States is currently facing unprecedented droughts and scorching temperatures, highlighting the effects of global warming. Pollution levels in both air and water have reached alarming levels across the country. The researchers are investigating the states most affected by climate change, focusing on pollution as a key factor.
Water Pollution
Water pollution caused by dirt, oil spills, industrial waste, and improper disposal of recyclable materials has devastating consequences for marine life. This pollution causes the growth of harmful algae and reduced oxygen levels in the water, known as eutrophication, which destroys aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater contaminants and toxic metals pose significant risks to the global food chain.
In the United States, 50% of assessed river and stream miles, more than 700,000 miles, have been reported damaged, along with 55% of lake acre miles and 25% of estuary acre miles. The following states have the highest percentage of impaired rivers and streams:
| State | Percentage of Impaired Rivers and Streams |
|---|---|
| Delaware | 97% |
| New Jersey | 95% |
| Hawaii | 91% |
| California | 87% |
| Louisiana | 86% |
| Oregon | 86% |
| Iowa | 84% |
| South Carolina | 81% |
| Kansas | 78% |
| South Dakota | 78% |
Water contamination can have a direct impact on human health, especially through the tap water system. Many water systems in California, serving more than 920,000 people, were found to have dangerous levels of toxic contaminants. These contaminants can cause liver and kidney failure, cancer, and diseases such as Legionnaires' disease.
The states with the worst tap water quality:
- Washington
- California
- Arizona
- Florida
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- Texas
- Ohio
Air pollution
Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, forest fires, and the presence of ozone and smog pose significant risks to both the environment and human health. The United States released 68 million tons of air pollution into the atmosphere. Nearly 135 million people, or four out of ten Americans, live in areas with poor air quality.
According to the government's State of the Air report, the most polluted cities in terms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels include:
| City | PM2.5 Level (g/m3) |
|---|---|
| Visalia, California | 16.6 |
| California | 16.6 |
| San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California | 14.5 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, California | 14.2 |
| Medford-Grants Pass, Oregon | 13.9 |
| Fairbanks, Alaska | 13 |
| Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona | 12.8 |
| Chico, California | 12.2 |
| El Centro, California | 12.1 |
Worst States for Climate Change: Extreme Weather
Climate change leads to extreme weather events. Rising global temperatures accelerate the water cycle, causing changes in precipitation patterns. Historically, wet regions experience more rainfall and a higher risk of flooding, while typically dry regions face less rainfall and a higher risk of drought and wildfire.
Heat waves
Heat waves have become more frequent, longer, and more intense due to global warming. The average number of heat waves per year in the US has increased from two in the 1960s to about six today. Heat waves affect an estimated 65.2 million people in the US, with hundreds of deaths each year.
| City | Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Paducah | 97 |
| Evansville, Indiana | 98 |
| Cape Girardeau, Missouri | 100 |
| Poplar Bluff, Missouri | 100 |
| Carbondale | 99 |
Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones have caused significant economic loss and numerous deaths in the United States. The states most vulnerable to these cyclones are:
| State | Number of Hurricanes |
|---|---|
| Florida | 120 |
| Texas | 64 |
| Louisiana | 62 |
| North Carolina | 58 |
| South Carolina | 31 |
| Alabama | 23 |
| Georgia | 21 |
| New York | 15 |
| Mississippi | 14 |
| Virginia | 13 |
Worst States for Climate Change: Natural Hazards
Droughts
Droughts have severe consequences for the US, causing billions of dollars in damage and decreased agricultural production. 229 million acres of crops were affected by drought. The states that most frequently experience extraordinary drought conditions are:
| State | Number of Extraordinary Droughts |
|---|---|
| Florida | 120 |
| Texas | 64 |
| Louisiana | 62 |
| North Carolina | 58 |
| South Carolina | 31 |
| Alabama | 23 |
| Georgia | 21 |
| New York | 15 |
| Mississippi | 14 |
| Virginia | 13 |
Forest fires:
Wildfire seasons in the US have doubled in length, resulting in widespread destruction of forests and ecosystems. Wildfires devastated several states, including California, Oregon, and Washington. Notably, more than 10,000 redwoods were destroyed in California alone. The states with the most acres destroyed by wildfires in 2021 were:
| State | Total Area (acres) |
|---|---|
| California | 2,233,666 |
| Oregon | 828,777 |
| Montana | 747,678 |
| Washington | 674,222 |
| Arizona | 524,428 |
| Idaho | 439,600 |
| Alaska | 253,357 |
| Texas | 168,258 |
| Kansas | 163,982 |
| New Mexico | 123,792 |
Floods
Floods are frequent and fatal disasters in the United States. Intense rainfall induced by climate change and hurricanes increase the risk of flooding. By the end of the century, floodplains are projected to expand by approximately 45%, and coastal flooding is expected to double in a decade. States with the highest risk of flooding include:
| State | Percentage of Population at Risk of Flooding |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | 50.56% |
| Florida | 40.08% |
| Mississippi | 23.14% |
| Arkansas | 22.57% |
| New Jersey | 19.27% |
| South Carolina | 19.2% |
| Maryland | 19.17% |
| Delaware | 19.12% |
Future perspectives
To combat climate change, the United States has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives are underway to reduce emissions. methane emissions from various sectors. The government is also investing in climate-smart agriculture and implementing regulations to protect water bodies. Globally, collaborations aim to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
The government intends to spend around one billion dollars on Climate-Smart Agriculture, which will generate products using environmentally friendly practices. Rules will be re-established to safeguard America's waterways, keeping environmental safeguards for water bodies that are essential to the health, safety, and economic prosperity of regions.
On a global scale, President Biden collaborated with EU peers to encourage more than 100 countries to take part in the Global Methane Pledge, a new collaboration that seeks to decrease super-polluting methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
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