Why is Our Climate Changing?
The Greenhouse Gas Effect
Changes in our climate are happening due to increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, which traps heat in our atmosphere. These polluting emissions are created through everyday activities such as burning fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline and natural gas) to power our cars and homes and sending waste to decompose in landfills. Reducing emissions is essential to addressing climate change – and we already have the solutions we need.
How Does Climate Change Affect Howard County?
Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change is shifting weather patterns with extreme weather events increasing in frequency and intensity. Howard County is already experiencing documented impacts from climate change such as increasing temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events.
For example, there used to be only a few days per year that were 95°F or hotter. However, by mid-century, Howard County could experience 28 days on average that are 95°F and above, and 69 days on average that are 95°F and above by the end of the century.
How Does Climate Change Affect Howard County?
Differential Impacts
Although climate change impacts will be felt across all of Howard County, these impacts will not affect everyone equally. Extreme weather, heat, and flooding have the greatest potential to impact those who hold physiological, economic, and social characteristics that make them more vulnerable to climate.
Underserved populations may be less resilient to extreme weather. For example, they may be less able to absorb increased utility costs, may live in buildings with less weatherization to help keep homes comfortable, may lack air-conditioning, may be less able to afford amenities that make heat more tolerable (e.g., air conditioning, swimming pool access), and may have fewer transportation options to buildings, shaded parks, and other places that may offer relief.
How Does Climate Change Affect Howard County?
Extreme Heat Vulnerabilities
Heat vulnerability across Howard County is most pronounced among southeastern portions of the County, which is primarily due to a greater portion of land area being covered by buildings, infrastructure assets, impervious surfaces, and a lack of tree cover.
Jessup, Hanover, and Elkridge have a higher heat vulnerability than other areas. The Wilde Lake Village Center has the highest heat vulnerability in the County. Promoting more tree cover, shade structures, cooling surfaces, and cooling centers in these areas can help those who are more vulnerable to extreme heat.
How Does Climate Change Affect Howard County?
Flooding Vulnerabilities
Howard County faces significant flooding concerns within the 100-year and 500-year floodplains throughout the County, and particularly in and around central and eastern portions of Howard County. Importantly, there are several critical facilities— such as Howard County’s K-12 schools, fire stations, police stations— that are in or near floodplains.
In addition, there are several roadways experiencing frequent flooding, which will further jeopardize access to and from these critical facilities. High risk assets such as bridges and tot lots are in Harper’s Choice, Hickory Ridge, Kings Contrivance, Long Reach, and Owen Brown.
Areas showing higher vulnerability to climate change impacts that overlap with FEMA 100 and 500-year floodplains may be priority areas for the implementation of flood reduction and stormwater management strategies and actions.
What You Can Do
Learn More About Climate Change
Explore these videos, news stories, and resources to learn more about our changing climate and the solutions for a resilient future!
