A new report is a dire warning about the consequences of climate change. Meanwhile, a Drexel University policy notes say sea level rise could make some Philadelphia areas unlivable by 2100. The paper brings together 15 of Drexel’s environmental experts to look at Philly climate change and its possible impacts.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2022
People and ecosystems with the least ability to cope with the dangers of climate change will primarily suffer. The latest IPCC report released on February 28 shows that the climate crisis is a mounting danger to a healthy planet and our well-being. “Our actions today will shape how people adapt, and nature responds to increasing climate threats,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC.
The world faces inevitable multiple climate hazards over the next two decades. Global warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F) may result in five times more occurrences of flood, storm, drought, and heatwaves. Risks for society will also increase, including food, water, health, economy.
What to Expect Locally
Threats vary from region to region. Based on the summary of US Impacts from the IPCC, the country is prone to the following environmental hazards:
- Extreme temperature
- Extreme precipitation
- Sea level rise
- Wildfires
- Drought
- Powerful Hurricanes
- Decreased Ice and Snow
The said changes are now unavoidable. The only question is the severity to which rapid, coordinated, and significant global efforts to limit GHG emissions can help us avoid more devastating changes. Prior human responses to calamities provide some source for hope. But the challenge now also asks whether people can significantly deal with such a profound threat.
The truth is, environmental policy should not only be tackled on a national level, and those waterfront cities aren’t the only places that the ever-changing climate will impact. Philly will see massive changes from the global crisis – with the town getting hotter, wetter, stormier, and possibly more crowded.
The Drexel University report combines technical forecasts with speculations about what life in Philly will be like in 82 years. The authors suggest that their great-grandchildren would be most likely to live in Philadelphia, but the city will be much hotter. Many of the areas along the Delaware River will no longer be habitable due to flooding or simply permanently submerged in water.
Additionally, there will be a greater risk of sicknesses and catastrophic storms, and indeed there will have been significant property damages. At the same time, several authors say that we might experience higher demand for housing as refugees will increase, coming from places that have become unlivable.
What Can Be Done To Mitigate The Risks?
The government can lead, but we will need action on all aspects to address climate change in Philly and globally. These alarming global issues require a brave collaboration. Even little contribution counts. Making cities accessible and walkable should be prioritized to encourage more people to ride a bicycle or walk whenever they can. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, more trees will reduce the impacts of rising temperatures. On the other hand, wetlands restoration will mitigate the effects of floods.
Green infrastructure and new regulations such as building codes can anticipate potential issues such as increased storms, flooding, and greater energy demands. Of course, there are also many things we still don’t know and for which we couldn’t prepare. We have limited knowledge on how we will have to accommodate climate refugees. Moreover, we can only predict responses to climate change at a higher level.
