Climate Notes

This page explains how climate change affects the environmental indicators in this report.

Air Quality: Atmospheric warming associated with climate change has the potential to increase ground-level ozone in many regions, which may present greater challenges for compliance with the ozone standards in the future. Air pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter (PM), can adversely impact ecosystems, and increase the amount and seriousness of lung and heart disease and other health problems.

Bald Eagles and Osprey: Climate change affects the survival of bald eagles on multiple levels, according to scientists. As climate change progresses, the National Audubon Society's climate model projects that bald eagles will have just 26 percent of their current summer range by 2080. It is possible that the birds will adapt and reclaim summer terrain as new areas become hospitable, but it isn't known whether the birds will be able to find the food and habitat they need to survive.

Climate Changers: Greenhouse gases (GHG), including carbon dioxide (CO2), from human activities are the most significant drivers of observed climate change. Carbon dioxide is generated as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels and to a lesser extent, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and other human activities. As described in a recent study released by the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, average temperatures in Connecticut could increase by 5˚F (2.7˚C) by 2050 compared to the 1970-1999 baseline in Connecticut. 

Degree Days: Degree days are defined as the number of degrees by which the average daily temperature is higher than 65°F (cooling degree days) or lower than 65°F (heating degree days). Growing degree days (GDD) are a temperature derived index used to correlate with the amount of heat available for the growth of plants, insects, and disease organisms.

Drinking Water: Extreme rainfall events lead to more runoff when the soil simply is not able to absorb the precipitation at the rate it is falling. In urban, suburban, and agricultural areas, this runoff can pick up pollutants from the landscape and carry them to nearby rivers and other waterways, potentially affecting the quality of drinking water. Climate change can affect the ability to maintain source water quality as well as the water quality conditions of surrounding rivers, lakes, and streams.

Electricity at Home and Work: Increases in temperature will likely increase energy demand, as well as change our ability to produce electricity and deliver it reliably. In a warmer climate, more electricity will be used for air conditioning and less natural gas, oil, and wood for heating. To the extent that the increased demand is met by sources that are carbon-based, greenhouse gas emissions will increase, and climate warming will be exacerbated. 

Farmland: Climate change may benefit some plants by lengthening growing seasons. However, other effects of a warmer climate, such as less carbon sequestration in the soil, more pests, droughts, flooding, less predictable weather patterns, and changes in ground-level ozone concentrations will not be beneficial for agriculture. 

Forest Birds: Climate change affects birds both directly and indirectly. Rising temperatures and changes in weather patterns affect birds' ability to find food and reproduce, which over time impacts local populations. As temperatures warm, some bird species will benefit from milder winters and extended breeding seasons. Others, such as northern birds associated with forest habitats, will likely decline in Connecticut, due in part to increased competition and increased frequency of droughts and extreme storm events that might inflict higher mortality.

Invasives: Climate change threatens to increase the extent, number, and severity of invasive species. The milder winters and extended spring that comes with climate change are helping invasive species extend their ranges, pushing aside native species and transforming habitats. 

Lobsters: Climate change is increasing the water temperature of Long Island Sound. Water temperature is believed to have a significant impact on lobsters' health and ecology (e.g., recruitment, behavior and distribution).

Nature-based solutions: Nature based solutions include sustainable planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience. These solutions use natural features and processes to combat the impacts of climate change, reduce flood risk, improve water quality, restore and protect wetlands, and reduce urban heat.

Piping Plovers: Coastal-nesting birds, such as the piping plover, are among the species most threatened by climate change. Rising sea levels might reduce nesting areas available for piping plovers and many coastal and nesting birds.

Preserved Land and Forests: The climate influences the structure and function of forest ecosystems and plays an essential role in forest health. Forests are sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation and are greatly affected by fragmentation and land-use change, invasion by nonnative species, forest diseases and insect pests, and extreme weather events. The conservation of land and, particularly forests and wetlands, can help to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the impacts of climate change.

Renewable Energy: The use of renewable energy is one of the most effective tools against climate change. Zero carbon energy sources provide clean and sustainable electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric facilities and other technologies do not release any emissions as they generate electricity. 

Rivers and Streams: Rivers and streams are affected greatly by fluctuations in precipitation and evaporation patterns around the world. Warming temperatures are altering the water cycle and shifting precipitation patterns. An increase in severe storms due to climate change will degrade water quality and increase the risk of catastrophic floods; while frequent droughts, enhanced evaporation, and decreases in overall annual rainfall would result in reduced water levels in streams, rivers, and lakes. 

Swimming, Clamming and Oystering: As the atmosphere warms, changes to the amount, timing, distribution, and intensity of precipitation will continue. As more intense precipitation leads to increased runoff, more pollution is washed into waterways, including sediments, nitrogen from fertilizers, pathogens and pesticides, which adversely affect water quality. 

Transportation - Driving and Riding: Combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Both nationally and in Connecticut, the transportation sector is the greatest contributor of GHG emissions. 

Warming and Rising Waters: Global mean sea level has risen about 8–9 inches (21–24 centimeters) since 1880, with about a third of that occurring in just the last two and a half decades. The rising water level is mostly due to a combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) recommends that Connecticut plan for and expect 50 centimeters (20 inches) of sea level rise by 2050 with further increases following that date. 

Waste Diversion: Recycling and waste reduction have many direct benefits; however, the indirect benefits are also significant. Recycling and waste diversion reduce GHG emissions that would be created by the production, transport, and disposal of municipal solid waste. Increasing recycling and source reduction has been identified as key strategies for reducing GHG emissions.

Water of Long Island Sound: Climate change has a variety of direct and indirect effects on ocean ecosystems. Climate change may increase the occurrence of hypoxic conditions because more frequent, intense storms and warming waters can lead to increased stratification of the water column, increased nutrient input, and diminished oxygen capacity. In addition, increased runoff, fertilizers, failing septic and sewer systems, and coastal development also affect the quality of the water in Long Island Sound.

Wetlands: Wetlands play a role in mitigating risks from climate change. Wetlands are an important sink for GHG, where carbon is stored and prevented from entering the atmosphere. Wetlands provide important functions including cleaning up polluted water. slowing and storing floodwaters and snow melt, recharging groundwater, and supporting habitat for many different native plant and animal species.