In July 1995, Chicago experienced a deadly heat wave. The heat index values topped 115 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime, according to the National Weather Service. The heat wave peaked in the middle of the month, on July 13 and 14, when temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit. However, due to intense humidity the perceived temperature was much higher, up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some apartments that lack air conditioning. The last time temperatures had reached similar levels was in the 1930s. Temperatures again reached record levels on Aug. 27, only it was not 1995. It was 2024.
The last decade has been the warmest on record, as stated by the U.N., surpassing the benchmark that was continually set by each of the previous three decades. Temperatures are rising; in June and July of 2023, global temperatures reached the highest levels ever documented. In the coming decades, not only will the average temperature increase, but heat waves are expected to intensify. Natural weather forms such as heat waves, hurricanes and rainstorms are projected to become stronger and more frequent due to climate change. NASA defines climate change as a gradual, enduring shift in the usual temperatures and weather patterns of a region. Everyday weather, by contrast, refers to changes of conditions over a short period of time, such as rain or snow. Climate change can be driven by natural factors and by human activity, though in recent decades it has been the latter. A major contributor to this is our society’s affinity for consuming fossil fuels. Burning these fuels greenhouse gases acts like a blanket, trapping heat and raising Earth’s temperature. These changing temperatures, among other shifts, are measured by scientists who use data gathered from the ground, atmosphere and space.
Various regions experience climate change differently, with effects specific to Illinois. Among other impacts of climate change, the primary examples are the rising temperatures and increased rainfall.
Temperatures are expected to rise as climate change worsens, causing increasing damage. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources predicts that in the next few decades, heat waves are going to become more frequent, and summer nights are going to become warmer. Between 1895 and 2019, the Illinois annual average temperature increased by 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit, with half the increase in the last 30 years. Though less than two degrees might seem minor, climate experts agree that in order to avoid significant climate problems and maintain a liveable climate, the change must amount to less than 0.3 degrees more. Winter temperatures have increased the most, followed by spring, while summers have seen proportionately little increase. By the end of the century, daily temperatures could rise four to nine degrees if preventory actions are used or eight to 14 without. The risk of extreme high temperatures is set to increase, while the risk of extreme low temperatures will decrease.
Currently, heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S. In Chicago alone, heat waves kill around 50 people per year due to rising temperatures that cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion. These ailments can cause critical injury or death. Additionally, higher temperatures accelerate water evaporation, triggering droughts and wildfires. The severity and rate of droughts will increase as summer temperatures continue to rise. These hot summer days threaten the urban health and the rural crops alike.
The second major effect of climate change in Illinois is the change in rainfall. Summers will become drier, while winters and springs will experience more rainstorms. Rainfall is expected to increase by 15%. Not only will the number of rainstorms change, but also their intensity. Rain occurrences are becoming more intense, with 2-inch rain days up 40% since the early 1900s. As rain intensity increases, it can cause flooding, crop damage, soil erosion and water pollution. Every Illinois county has experienced flooding to the extent that they were issued a disaster warrant, but this is expected to increase alongside climate change. Floods damage the economy by wrecking farms, homes and businesses, while contaminating drinking water. People who evacuate from floods often suffer psychological and emotional stress. Rivers are forecasted to flood more often, while wetlands, a crucial habitat for many species, are expected to dry out. Storms will intensify, destroying trees, drowning animals, spreading invasive species and damaging aquatic ecosystems. One possible benefit of climate change is that the Great Lakes and rivers are ice-free for an extended duration, which could boost trade and the economy. However, the water quality of Lake Michigan, our source of drinking water, is expected to be harmed by the increased run-off pollution from roads.
Other impacts of climate change in Illinois include rising ozone pollution. Ozone pollution, a type of air pollution, is caused by a combination of industrial and natural factors, and can cause breathing difficulties for high-risk individuals, such as senior citizens.
While rising temperatures and intensifying rain may seem like an unstoppable tragedy, ordinary people can help reduce the impact of climate change. Greenhouse gases are produced through transportation methods such as cars, heating by using fossil fuels and deforestation. Simple lifestyle changes can decrease the effects of climate change in the future; examples include carpooling when available, such as to and from high school, and decreasing use of paper products. Even if these options are unachievable or over-demanding, many others exist in countless areas. High Schoolers indeed have a say in the future of the world, especially considering that this generation will be the one to witness the most drastic impacts climate change has on peoples’ lives. Past generations have overlooked the impacts of climate change on the future, but the future is now – it is this generation’s future. Everyone can make a difference in the future, not just in Illinois but worldwide.
