Coastal erosion, wild fire, hazardous material accidents, high wind, hazardous surf and rip currents, transportation problems, disease, drought, earthquake, flood, landslide, lightning, tsunami and typhoon -- these are all risks we have on Guam due to our geography and climate.
Climate changes have been elevating these risks, making events more severe and possibly more frequent. Many of you remember the storms of 2002: Typhoon Chataan, causing landslide, flooding and 55 deaths between Chuuk and Guam in July; followed by Supertyphoon Pongsona, igniting fire in the Apra Harbor tank yard in December. Just five years prior to these storms, the Pacific islands were hit by Typhoon Paka in December of 1997. The islands had varying damage due to fluctuations in the storm, including drought, wildfires, flooding, sea level variation and erosion.
Climate changeGlobally, people have been contributing to the greenhouse effect through everyday activities such as: burning fossil fuels for electricity, gasoline and natural gas; agricultural practices; and clearing vegetation, especially for development. The natural greenhouse effect is a warming process of atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, that allows us to survive on earth -- if we had no greenhouse effect, the world would be too cold for human survival.
Humans have increased the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment, intensifying the greenhouse effect relatively quickly. Within the past three centuries, the structure of the earth's atmosphere has changed, which is causing global climate change.
The effects of greenhouse gasses are being studied extensively on and off island. There is evidence of global climate change such as glaciers retreating, plants blooming earlier or in a different season and the rising sea level.
According to the Climate Impact Group's publication, "Preparing for Climate Change: a Guidebook for Local, State, and Regional Governments," the sea level is projected to rise seven to 23 inches this century from melting snow and ice and the thermal expansion of ocean waters. The Climate Impact Group also emphasizes the increased risk of drought and stronger heat waves lasting longer and happening more often, along with more extreme precipitation and the disasters caused by excessive precipitation.
The climate change can significantly impact our water supply -- droughts, flooding, contaminants -- causing competition for safe water and difficult living conditions. Many plant and animal species will not be able to withstand the warming temperatures and may go extinct, reducing food sources.
Guam impact
According to the National Weather Service, during the first quarter of 2011, Guam had rainfall at 166 percent of the average, islandwide. From 2009 to 2010, equatorial Pacific water temperature was above normal, creating an El Niño effect.
Warmer water temperatures cause coral to lose their symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, which are essential to the corals survival. Consequently, the coral is bleached and will eventually die if not rehabitated. Sustained bleaching events will significantly impact Guam's fish populations.
These temperatures started to fall and led almost directly into significantly below normal temperature water, known as La Niña. These climate patterns are known as El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. ENSO events are created by the warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of the tropical Pacific waters along with air surface pressure change. Many regions of the world have been significantly affected by extreme weather due to ENSO. Predictions from the National Weather Service and UOG Water and Environmental Research Institute continue around 110 percent to 120 percent of average rainfall through March 2012.
People have observed and described changes in shorelines and water availability on Guam, as well as many other Pacific Islands. There was significant shoreline change during and shortly after World War II due to purposeful alterations made to the island.
According to a 2008 assessment conducted for Guam Coastal Management Program, images and studies show significant shoreline change on the northern and western-facing shorelines over the last 60 years of 150 to 250 feet. Many of the island's beaches and parks have experienced coastal erosion and increased sea level due to human alterations, natural disasters and overall climate change.
More severe weather, especially during ENSO, will continue to threaten the island with numerous natural disasters endangering our people, economy and island sustainability. There will inevitably be climate change, but increased shoreline development, coastal management and increased population in limited space creates vulnerability for severe impact from weather-related events.
Superior coastal management practices and community consciousness can help protect and improve the sustainability of our island community.
Climate changes have been elevating these risks, making events more severe and possibly more frequent. Many of you remember the storms of 2002: Typhoon Chataan, causing landslide, flooding and 55 deaths between Chuuk and Guam in July; followed by Supertyphoon Pongsona, igniting fire in the Apra Harbor tank yard in December. Just five years prior to these storms, the Pacific islands were hit by Typhoon Paka in December of 1997. The islands had varying damage due to fluctuations in the storm, including drought, wildfires, flooding, sea level variation and erosion.
Climate changeGlobally, people have been contributing to the greenhouse effect through everyday activities such as: burning fossil fuels for electricity, gasoline and natural gas; agricultural practices; and clearing vegetation, especially for development. The natural greenhouse effect is a warming process of atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, that allows us to survive on earth -- if we had no greenhouse effect, the world would be too cold for human survival.
Humans have increased the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment, intensifying the greenhouse effect relatively quickly. Within the past three centuries, the structure of the earth's atmosphere has changed, which is causing global climate change.
The effects of greenhouse gasses are being studied extensively on and off island. There is evidence of global climate change such as glaciers retreating, plants blooming earlier or in a different season and the rising sea level.
According to the Climate Impact Group's publication, "Preparing for Climate Change: a Guidebook for Local, State, and Regional Governments," the sea level is projected to rise seven to 23 inches this century from melting snow and ice and the thermal expansion of ocean waters. The Climate Impact Group also emphasizes the increased risk of drought and stronger heat waves lasting longer and happening more often, along with more extreme precipitation and the disasters caused by excessive precipitation.
The climate change can significantly impact our water supply -- droughts, flooding, contaminants -- causing competition for safe water and difficult living conditions. Many plant and animal species will not be able to withstand the warming temperatures and may go extinct, reducing food sources.
Guam impact
Warmer water temperatures cause coral to lose their symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, which are essential to the corals survival. Consequently, the coral is bleached and will eventually die if not rehabitated. Sustained bleaching events will significantly impact Guam's fish populations.
These temperatures started to fall and led almost directly into significantly below normal temperature water, known as La Niña. These climate patterns are known as El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. ENSO events are created by the warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of the tropical Pacific waters along with air surface pressure change. Many regions of the world have been significantly affected by extreme weather due to ENSO. Predictions from the National Weather Service and UOG Water and Environmental Research Institute continue around 110 percent to 120 percent of average rainfall through March 2012.
People have observed and described changes in shorelines and water availability on Guam, as well as many other Pacific Islands. There was significant shoreline change during and shortly after World War II due to purposeful alterations made to the island.
According to a 2008 assessment conducted for Guam Coastal Management Program, images and studies show significant shoreline change on the northern and western-facing shorelines over the last 60 years of 150 to 250 feet. Many of the island's beaches and parks have experienced coastal erosion and increased sea level due to human alterations, natural disasters and overall climate change.
More severe weather, especially during ENSO, will continue to threaten the island with numerous natural disasters endangering our people, economy and island sustainability. There will inevitably be climate change, but increased shoreline development, coastal management and increased population in limited space creates vulnerability for severe impact from weather-related events.
Superior coastal management practices and community consciousness can help protect and improve the sustainability of our island community.
