CLIMATE CHANGE
housands of scie
that the earth's climate will
*.nge because human activities
i altering the chemical composi-
Df the atmosphere through
dup of greenhouse gases.
t-trapping property of such
gases as carbon dioxide, methane,
'
nitrous oxide, and chloroflurocar-
bons is undisputed. Greenhouse
ases are released into th<
phere in large quantities b,
motorized vehicles, utilities, fac
liances, and landfills.
.hough there is unr<
out exactly how ai
the earth's climate will respond
to higher concentrations of
greenhouse gases, observations
indicate that detectable
AND ECOSYSTEMS
Temperatures will most likely
rise by an average of 2 to 6°F
over the next century, along
with measurable changes in
precipitation, soil moisture, and
sea level. All of these changes
could have adverse effects on
many ecological systems, as well
as on human health and the
economy.
Map: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1995. Ecological Impacts from
Climate Change: An Economic Analysis of Freshwater Recreational Fishing.
EPA 220-R-95-004. Exhibit 2-26.
\ POTENTIAL LOSS OF HABITAT
/ Cold Water Fish
/
l
50-100% Loss J 1-49% Loss
J Not included in analysis
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• To keep up with the latest
scientific developments, check out
EPA's climate change website at
www.epa.gov/globalwarming/.
Click on impacts/fisheries/ for
specific information on how climate
change may affect outdoor
recreation and fishing. Or call EPA's
National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
at 1-800-490-9198 and ask for
information on climate change
and fishing.
&EPA
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Policy (2171)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
^ $ Printed on Recycled Paper
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Aquatic ecosystems will be affected
by climate change. The distribution
of freshwater species is likely to shift
northward, with some extinctions of
local species likely throughout the
southern ranges of these species and
expansion in their northern ranges.
Warmer freshwater temperatures and
changes in the pattern of flows in
spawning rivers could reduce the
abundance of species like salmon,
trout, and bass.
For example, an 8°F increase in mean
annual air temperature is projected to
eliminate more than 50 percent of
the habitat of brook trout in the
southern Appalachian Mountains.
In addition, projected changes in
water temperatures, salinity, and cur-
rents could affect the growth, sur-
vival, reproduction, and distribution
of marine fish species and their com-
petitors and predators.
The survival, health, migration, and
distribution of many North American
marine mammals and sea turtles also
are expected to be affected by pro-
jected changes in the climate
through impacts on their food supply,
sea-ice meltdowns, and breeding or
nesting habitats.
CLIMATE CHANGE:
ti
WHAT MIGHT WE LOSE?
The loss of fishing opportunities due
to climate-induced changes in fish-
eries could be severe in some parts of
the country, especially at the south-
ern boundaries of the habitat ranges
of cool- and cold-water species.
Although gains in warm-water fishing
opportunities may offset overall loss-
es in cold-water fishing opportuni-
ties, the potential effects on specific
localized regions are cause for concern.
For example, cold water fish habitats
could be lost entirely in such states
as Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Ohio, and Nebraska. Presently, more
than 750,000 people fish for trout in
those states each year. How many
people would or could switch to a
warm water species is uncertain.
What can you do? Help reduce green-
house gases. Use a more fuel-effi-
cient (or non-motorized!) mode of
transportation. Carpool. Purchase
electronic devices and appliances
with the ENERGY STAR' label. Plant
trees. Educate yourself and others
about climate impacts. Share research
and encourage more of it.
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