Green Junction: Are we learning anything from the heat? Julie Peller Ph.D.

The news on the environment for the 2023 summer has been dominated by the excessive heat. Record heat and unprecedented temperatures have been recorded. Climate experts warn that this will continue in future years in line with rising carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Other factors contributing to climate change include the man-made destruction of rain forests and other natural conditions that function to mediate heat and carbon. Other consequences have been wildfires, droughts, floods and loss of biodiversity.

For many years, the communities studying climate change have been highlighting the need for mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation is defined as actions that will reduce the severity of the outcomes of the elevated carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. The strong message for decades has been to significantly reduce these gas emissions – to drastically reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Instead, the GHG emissions from the burning of fuel have mostly continued to rise; mitigation has not happened. The 2021 GHG emissions were 34,175.3 MtCO2eq compared to the 1980’s 18,112.4 MtCO2eq. The adaptation component of climate change is adjusting to new climate conditions, with the recognition that this will become more difficult if mitigation is not adequately addressed.

As the reality of climate change is keenly experienced by more populations around the world, adaptations are being planned and implemented. These include early warnings of excess heat, training of health and emergency professionals, and the availability of cooling centers. Some longer-term plans are building codes that require cool roofs and other climate provisions, increased green spaces that moderate heat, improved public transportation to reduce heat intensifying conditions and energy use and numerous changes for greater energy efficiency and clean energy. 

Analysts recognize that there are many parts to the mitigation and adaptation and all levels of society from the highest government officials to the average person play important roles. The message from Pope Francis this past spring was "The unrestrained burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests are pushing temperatures higher and leading to massive droughts," and "we must listen to science and institute a rapid and equitable transition to end the era of fossil fuel."  

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University ). Julie has been writing a weekly column for the past ~6 years called the Green Junction and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.