February Heat Waves Have Climate Scientists Freaking Out
February brought unseasonably high temperatures to much of the U.S.
That was good news if you're not a fan of winter, but climate scientists weren't thrilled.
Temperature in Oklahoma reaches 99 degrees in mid-February--but #climatechange is a chinese hoax!! https://t.co/vzGCNNXZBk
— GrrlScientist (@GrrlScientist) February 16, 2017
Nationwide, cities broke temperature records this month.
- Boston earlier this week recorded a 68-degree day, beating its previous February record of 65 degrees. That was warmer than it was in Los Angeles at the time. The average February temperature in Boston fluctuates between 36 and 42 degrees.
- The same day, Denver's high reached 75 degrees, breaking that city's record.
- The next day in New York, the temperature reached 70 degrees, about double the February average of 39 to 44 degrees.
Record-setting temps are the most obvious sign of climate change. But they are only the beginning.
Scientists are spooked by winter weather that allows people to trade coats for flip-flops in the middle of winter. But they worry more about the rising sea levels that may result from increasing global temperatures.
Rising ocean levels will negatively affect city infrastructure in particular.
Scientists say that cities are a key driver of climate change, because urbanized areas contribute larger amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Cities will also be the first places to deal with the catastrophic effects of rising sea levels.
Miami Beach, which has already been affected by climate-related flooding, has already invested nearly $400 million into a plan that will raise street levels, elevate sea walls, and install pumps, The New York Times reported.
New York city Mayor Bill de Blasio, meanwhile, announced an energy plan to cut the city’s emissions 80 percent by 2050.
The move is one of many by mayors in large coastal cities that are on the front line of climate change.
