When you think of December, you think of cold snowy nights, frosty snowball fights, or even a kiss under the mistletoe. No one thinks of sunny days, stuffy nose and 50 degree weather. Lately, most days consist of this long gone are the usual Jersey winters.
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, “We know this warming is largely caused by human activities because of the key role that carbon dioxide plays in maintaining the Earth’s natural greenhouse effect.”
The greenhouse effect occurs when the sun’s heat is reflected off the surface and cannot escape back into space. The extra heat in the atmosphere is what causes the global temperature to rise which is called global warming. There are also many unnatural reasons for the change in weather such as warehouses and gas.
The weather in New Jersey has gone through obvious changes. Residents no longer feel the need to bundle up. Many have not used their snow gear in years. Rather than feeling like our next door neighbor New York, New Jersey feels more like Florida with each passing day.
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, “Since 1800 the amount of carbon dioxide has increased. The source of this is fossil fuels and not natural sources like forest fires, volcanoes, or outgassing from the ocean.”
Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources such as coal, natural/derived gasses that provide heat for use, to power engines, and or to electricity. As much as these sources help us they are harming our environment as well. Climate change is not just affecting the earth but humans as well.
An increase in allergies and colds has been prevalent for years. According to CBS news, “Even now, pollen allergies are on the rise in urban centers. As the temperature increases, due to our elevated emissions, allergenic species are able to migrate into areas they previously could not thrive in.”
Until recently it had not snowed significantly in over two years. January in New Jersey would normally see temperatures reaching a frigid 30 degrees but now we see temperatures as high as 57 degrees.
Flooding is occurring in places where this phenomenon was unheard of. This winter people are not only out over illness, they are also out over flooding, power outages, and the possible loss of property due to these phenomena.
As New Jersey weather continues to fluctuate the poor citizens no longer know what to expect. One minute you are gearing for snow and the next you are preparing for water. No matter what, global warming is real and it seems New Jersey is paying the consequences for its existence.
