It’s Nov. 1, students on campus are wearing shorts, squirrels are still active and iced beverages are still in season.
Many have still not unpacked their winter clothes. Students are wearing sweaters in the morning yet changing to t-shirts in the afternoon due to the warmth of the sun.
This is because of the unusual warm and dry weather.
Since the hurricane season, the area has seen limited days of rain, yet more days of sun exposure.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this past October has been the second warmest one recorded for earth’s record. The national average from the 20th century is 52.7 degrees, and the data recorded October as 2.30 degrees above the average .
Along with the earth’s temperature rising 0.14 degrees, and having doubled since 1980, many wonder if climate change is a key factor.
Climate change can affect the environment in ways such as raising temperatures, increasing droughts and flooding, and more.
It is important to note that climate change affects each region differently.
Science and Information for a Climate Smart Nation shares how areas except for the Southwest and Pacific Northwest have received lower than 50% of the normal precipitation, while some eastern parts of the US have received none.
With no rain to help cool down the atmosphere, the heat is able to increase within the dry hemisphere.
A research done by NOAA Climate.gov showed that Alabama was in a severe drought from the end of September through October.
“Drought coverage increased by 20% during the month,” the research states.
Although the weather has seemed to cool down, the eastern part of the nation still has greater odds of receiving warmer-than-normal weather.
As temperatures fluctuate, will crops that depend on certain weather conditions still be able to thrive?
Because of the drought, the nation’s agriculture has not been able to produce as many crops, which raises the price of food.
The National Enviromental Satellite, Data and Information Service reports droughts cause around 9 billion dollars lost annually in the U.S.
Along with that, droughts also cause disruptions in food distribution.
Carbon Dioxide has also risen over 50% since the burning of Fossil Fuels.
Staff Writer
