What climate change has done to Indiana and what it might do in the future. Climate change is not just a theory--it's happening right now and it will have devastating effects on communities like ours if we don’t act now. Climate change is causing a variety of tragedies worldwide but the ones that are most devastating are droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and landslides. These events all cause extreme damage to people who live in those areas as well as their livelihoods. Many people don’t think about how much of an effect climate change has already had on us here in Indiana.
In May 2012, 20 counties in Indiana were declared disaster counties due to a drought that had gone on for a year. The drought was so bad that crop prices increased, farmers lost crops, and altogether these counties lost about $368 million worth of crops." Farmers also saw their wells dry up and some had to sell their livestock at cheaper prices. All-in-all, the drought in Indiana did over $1 billion dollars worth of damage. Not only that but the effects of climate change can also impact everyone’s health. Heatwaves are one of the most dangerous effects climate change has on people which is why heat waves should be taken very seriously.
What is climate change?
Climate change is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the average temperature of the planet's atmosphere, oceans, and lands increases over time. Climate change affects all land masses on our planet – including polar regions, islands, and mountain peaks – but its global effects are felt most acutely in tropical and subtropical regions. Warming temperatures mean we are experiencing more frequent hot days, more heat waves, decreasing snow cover, rising sea levels, and increased rain events. These events can cause floods, droughts, forest fires, and other consequences which negatively impact people’s health and livelihoods.
What are the main causes of climate change?
There are many factors causing climate change.
Many of these factors are a result of human activity such as air pollution, deforestation, overfishing, and agriculture. Canada is also seeing warmer temperatures due to an increase in global emissions.
What is climate change documented to have done to people’s health?
Climate change has been documented to have had numerous negative effects on people’s health. These include: increased heat waves, stronger tropical storms, increased bush and forest fires, bad air quality, food shortages, and conflicts.
What is the Indiana Department of Health?
The Indiana Department of Health is the state health agency responsible for providing health promotion and disease control activities at the State level. It also oversees most state agencies like the Department of Natural Resources, Emergency Management Agency, Adult and Maternal Health Bureau, etc. The Indiana Department of Health was established in 1968 when it was known as the Indiana State Board of Health. The current director of the department is Melody Butler.
What is being done to help Indiana cope with climate change?
The Indiana Department of Health has a few plans/programs it hopes to implement to help Indiana cope with the effects of climate change. The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is a state-led health reform effort that covers all residents, including 64,000 of those who live in Indiana's 34 counties that do not have the Healthy Indiana Plan. The HIP was created in 2009 and has experienced very positive results since its inception. It has helped people avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, reduce prescription drug use and improve health outcomes for Hoosiers overall.
Conclusion
Climate change is a major issue that has already impacted our state in several ways. It can cause serious issues like heat waves, storms, wildfires, and droughts. Indiana is taking action to help our state cope with climate change including the Healthy Indiana Plan which has already been seen as a monumental success for Hoosiers. However, more needs to be done to ensure the progress we have made so far does not go to waste.
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