The Effects of Global Warming in Seattle
One thing that is clear from the recent happening throughout the globe in the environmental sector is Global Warming. It is happening. The effects of Global Warming can be felt in many places around the globe, and it’s happening in the United States as well.
Concerning Seattle’s past 70 years data, Seattle has seen the hottest years in the recent past only. As per the records, 2018 has become the fifth hottest year with an average high temperature of 62.3 degrees. The other warm years were 2015 (63.4 degrees), 2014 (62.6 degrees), 2016 (62.5 degrees) and 1992 (62.5 degrees).
As per the Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond, the major factor in the rise of the temperature is Human Activities. Our increased uses of electronics and fossil fuels have made the temperature rise to this level. And the trend is not only in the United States but all over the globe. We have been emitting a lot more than the earth can handle.
As per the data of the National Climatic Data Center, the average temperature in this area was 58 degrees in 1950. And in this meantime, the temperature has risen slowly and gradually to 62-degree level.
And along with Global Warming, the recent heat in the Seattle area is due to the relatively warm period. It always happens in the environment. We experience a phase of warmer days followed by a phase of cooler days. And the recent time is of the warmer days. So, in the future years, we could see some moderation in the temperature.
In 2018, Seattle set a record of 32 days that reached at least 85 degrees, surpassing the 2017 record of 27, and well above the average of about 11. And Seattle had 90 degrees on 11 days, second only to 2015’s 12 days. And, it should be reported that Seattle is one of the lowest air conditioned metros. So, bearing the heat was quite a task for the people here.
As per the Climatologists, the average temperature of Seattle also has risen. In 2018, Seattle had 22 days that never got below 60 degrees. And as far as the average temperature goes, all top five years in temperature are from this decade only.
And, Seattle also had a dry year this time. It had recorded less than 36 inches of rain, much below the average of 39 inches. And it occurred in most parts of the Washington State.
As per Climatologist Bond, a big factor which is very less talked about is summer wildfire smoke. The hazy days usually keep the temperature low. So, without the wildfire smoke, the days could have been a lot warmer than it is today.
And we should know that the increasing wildfire is also a symptom of climatic variation. As per experts, North Western America could see more days of dryness or extreme rain events. This could result in less snowpack and less Salmon affecting the economy ultimately. We could see less number of tourists and snow sports lovers.
And the changes in the environment could also affect the farmers more drastically. They could face water shortage or any other related issue more disastrous than the problems they have already at hand.
After a recent failure of Carbon Tax bill by the voters, it is evident that not only the voters of Washington but also the people nationwide do not want to consider and accept global warming as a true challenge. Even if they accept, they are not ready to pay for the mitigation. It is quite clear that if we do not act now, we will have to pay a bigger price financially. The Government should respond to the looming danger as soon as possible so that we can gift the environment to the next generation as we received it.