Science for life
What do you see when you imagine a climate scientist? Does your mind immediately jump to someone measuring glaciers in Antarctica, or perhaps observing acidity levels in the middle of the ocean?
It’s easy to think of climate science as far removed from our daily lives, secluded in a basement laboratory or off in the middle of a distant jungle. And yes, many scientists endure long hours and extensive travel, but their work hits much closer to home.
Climate science helps us better understand how global warming impacts our most basic necessities — food, water and shelter.
Scientists’ work to attribute extreme weather events to climate change shows how a warming world fuels heatwaves and drought, which can wreak havoc on agricultural yields and, ultimately, our food supply. With each degree the Earth warms, the National Academy of Sciences says we could see a 5–15% drop in crop yields.
As climate science helps us parse these impacts, it can also help producers adapt to more frequent, intense droughts and heat waves. Unfortunately, it can’t always help consumers who ultimately foot the bill through higher food prices.
Drought not only takes a toll on food production, it also endangers one of our most precious resources: water.
A secure water supply is essential for the health of our society and economy, from keeping children hydrated to ensuring manufacturing facilities can function. However, water quality is also at risk in our warming world. Because warmer air holds more water, extreme rainfall events are on the rise due to climate change and can lead to devastating floods.
Scientific research examines these connections between climate change and water supply and quality, and can provide insight into how society can best prepare for risks.
Climate science also exposes how global warming threatens our homes. Already, sea level rise has forced entire communities to abandon their homes for higher ground. A threat every coastal community, from New York to Miami, will need to adapt to as projections show that global sea levels will rise 1 to 4 feet by 2100.
As of 2010, nearly half the U.S. population lived in cities and towns along the coast, and these communities are expected to grow by an additional 10 million by the end of the century. The scientific pursuits of those studying sea level rise protect lives, businesses and property.
Climate science has shown that the world is warming at a dangerous rate because of manmade greenhouse gas emissions. As scientists continue to research the implications of the changing climate, their work informs how to adapt to, prepare for and solve this most urgent problem.
With food, water and shelter under threat, supporting scientists and their work could be the difference between life and death. Literally.
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For more on how climate science intersects with the security of food, water and shelter, join our Facebook Live with climate scientist Peter deMenocal, director of the Center for Climate and Life at Columbia University, Friday 3/10 at 12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET
