The result of Climate Change in Guam

In recent times due to the increase of Global Warming, the world has been suffering through climate change. These include the glaciers melting, increased sea levels, and shifts in blooming times. Guam just like the world has been also suffering through climate change which might lead to escalating temperatures, heightened storm intensities, and impending water shortages. The island of Guam is also experiencing these problems as well. From reports by the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it is said that Guam is expected to experience various environmental changes such as rising temperatures, increased storm intensity, and impending water shortages.

FLOODED: A house next to the Umatac Bridge along Route 2 is flooded as the river nearby crests on Aug. 27. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the island that day. Post file photo

One of the biggest concerns is the rise of the temperature; the rise could increase the frequency of hot days which pose a significant health risk to the old population of Guam. Also, storms are expected to become more severe and become more difficult to predict. However one sure thing is that it will have stronger cyclones. These changes pose serious risks to power, agriculture, and the lives of the people of Guam. The aftermath of these cyclones can disrupt essential services and severely impact local economies. Water scarcity is one example: the island’s freshwater resources are under significant pressure due to increased demand for freshwater while reduced rainfall and rising temperatures. The NOAA report highlights that water scarcity is likely to be a recurring problem for residents. Local news outlet The Guam Daily Post supported NOAA’s findings by highlighting the direct and indirect disruptions these changes are expected to have on the daily lives of Guardians.

Moreover to the immediate physical threat, this crisis has cultural and socio-economic dimensions. As the environment undergoes these dramatic changes, traditional practices, customs, and even local economies rooted in agriculture and fishing face potential upheaval. Additionally, tourism, Guam’s main industry, has invested a lot of money to recover from typhoon damage. Despite such adversity, the resilience and spirit of the Guam community remains unwavering. As an example of the severe impacts of climate change, Guam’s experience highlights the need for swift action in a global, collaborative effort to mitigate the looming crisis.

Sources:

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/report-climate-change-will-disrupt-guamanians-lives/article_84301e96-2336-11eb-aa95-f34ea00401d9.html

https://cpo.noaa.gov/New-Report-Guam-Faces-More-Heat-Stronger-Storms-Water-Shortages-from-Climate-Change/