"Binghamton under 2 Degrees of Warming: The Science Behind Climate Change and our Emotions Surrounding It"

Q & A session responses:

1.) Methane is becoming more of a factor. Shouldn't we be looking at CO2 and Methane together?
Absolutely. Methane, when it enters the atmosphere, undergoes a chemical reaction when it reacts with oxygen, leading it to become CO2. So, it is critical to understand the sources of methane, in other words, where is it coming from and in what quantities? For example, here in NY state, our colleague in the Earth Sciences Department at Binghamton University, Dr. Alex Nikulin, has been using drones to detect orphaned gas wells that were drilled long ago. His research shows that these abandoned wells are emitting methane, and as such contributing to New York state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding how much methane is coming out of these abandoned wells across the state, and capping these wells, is of the utmost importance.

2. ) Based on the CO2 level slide, it looks like the industrial age happened to emerge at a peak in the natural cycle of high CO2… is that true? Is that unlucky? Very unlucky? The Earth was in an interglacial phase (a time when there is less ice at the poles at the high altitudes), and it was supposed to be moving back into a glacial phase (a time of ice expansion at the poles and in the high altitudes).

3.) Do plants and trees uptake or buffer CO2 levels? Can that help us? Can we impact that positively?
The do! Through photosynthesis, trees and plants breathe in atmosphere, use carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen. In addition, those plants and trees, when they die, are made of lots of carbon, so when they decompose, their organic matter (including carbon) becomes part of the soil. This is why soil is a large source of carbon. We can advocate for less logging and more sustainable building materials. It is imperative that we keep as many plants and trees around as possible, not just for the climate’s sake, but also for biodiversity. In addition to preserving areas that harbor plants, efforts to restore plant diversity is crucial for mitigating climate change. To this end there is a current initiative by the UN called the Decade of Restoration (2021-2030) (https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/). The initiative’s goals are to build a global movement to ramp up restoration to put the world on track for a sustainable future. Restoration happens through actively planting or by removing pressures for nature to recover from degradation. According to reports from this initiative it’s estimated that restoration of 350 millian hectares could remove 13-26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Restoration doesn’t just happen of forest or grasslands, but also of farms by using more sustainable farming practices, and in urban and suburban areas by planning and building green spaces.

4.) Is there any way to use technology to facilitate the oceans rate of CO2 uptake/buffering?
There have been ideas to use iron fertilization in the oceans to increase the amount of algae and bacteria, which will then photosynthesize and trap organic carbon, which will then sink to the seafloor and be trapped there in the sediments. However, this model doesn’t take into account that increasing the amount of surface ocean nutrients by unnatural levels can then lead to ocean anoxia (lack of oxygen). As the algae and bacteria feed in the surface waters, they block oxygen from reaching the lower levels of the ocean. As the surface organisms die, and they excrete waste, that sinks to the seafloor. Bacteria who live on the seafloor decompose the waste, which uses up more oxygen in the water column. This further exacerbates the effects of the ocean losing its oxygen. In the geologic past, times when the ocean has lost its oxygen are called Ocean Anoxic Events (OAEs).

5.) What will humidity in the region look like under a warming world? Humans have a way of maintaining homeostasis in warm climates (sweating) but that only works if sweat is able to evaporate.

6.) As the climate becomes warmer due to CO2 in the atmosphere, does that result in more occurrences of tropical storms and hurricanes? Thank you!
We’re noticing that hurricanes are strengthening under climate change. Hurricanes are fueled, in part, by warm waters, as those waters provide moisture to these storms. Today, we are also noticing our warm water currents, such as the Gulf Stream, are moving slightly poleward due to our warming Earth. As these currents move poleward, major storms and hurricanes will be able to use those warm water paths to also move poleward. So, places that normally do not or rarely experience strong storms and hurricanes could feel the effects of them much more frequently as Earth continues to heat up.

7.) Will trees be able to migrate fast enough to survive?
Whether trees can migrate fast enough to keep pace with climate change depends on several factors, including how fast climates will change in regions, traits or biological capabilities of trees species, and available habitat and barriers. For example, trees that produce seeds that are carried by wind or animals may be able to keep pace with with climate change. Some tree species have seeds that are well suited for long distance dispersal, such as oaks that have acorns that are moved long distances by birds. Another trait that influences which species may move or not is generation time - fast growing trees may have an easier time migrating compared to slow-growing tree species. Location/habitat is also important - for example trees in locations with few barriers (e.g., mountains, lake, or urban areas) in their dispersal pathway may be able to move. And of course trees wil need to have suitable locations to move into. Studies based off of tree migration in response to recedeing glaciers after the last glacial maxima have been able to estimate migration rates. One study in eastern North America suggests that tree migration may be too slow (less than 100 m/yr) (based off of America beech and Maple) to keep up with changing climates (McLachlan & Clark. 2005. Ecology). Expected “winners” in the northeast include oaks, eastern white pine, and red maple due to long distance dispersal cababilities and wide thermal tolerances. “Losers” are expected to be eastern hemlock (which is also heavily damaged by hemlock wooly adelgid), and sugar maple as this species prefers cooler climates.
Conservation efforts to aid in the persistence of trees species under climate change include protecting existing habitats for trees to move into, or protecting migration corridors. Assisted migration is another approach, where humans actively help move trees to new suitable locations . However, this approach is controversial for several reasons, including feasibility and the worry that species may become invasive. An interesting example of this conservation practice is for an endangered tree the Florida Torreya, where a citizen group (the Torrreya Gaurdians) has taken upon themselves to assist the migration of this species from South Carolina north to several states in the north (e.g., Michigan).

8.) Can we sign a petition to stop A.C. on the bus? And science 1? It's too cold! Power to the people! If there is anything that folks want to work on to make campus more climate friendly and sustainable, there are definitely avenues to work through. Please come chat with us at Binghamton 2 Degrees if you’d like some ideas on how to get started on a new initiative.

9.) Why does Antarctic melting affect the Northern Hemisphere more?

10.) What is the risk percent chance/year or how many years before we have simultaneous (within the same year) multi-continent bread basket crop failures?
Climate change poses significant risks to crop production, increasing the likelihood of crop failures in many regions around the world. Specific risks and impacts are complicated, and depend on location, crop type and magnitude of climate change. So predicting when and where we will have crop failures is challenging. Several factors will affect crop yield and may lead to failure - including heat stress, changes in precipitation, including drought, changes in the abundance and location of pests. Extreme weather may damage infrastructure, food chains or crops directly. In NY the cattle industry will likely be affected by extreme heat, and increased diseases. Apple crops are being damaged by unpredictable weather, and earlier flowering and fruiting.
11.) What are time scavengers? Also, what do they do in the organization?
Time Scavengers is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to provide climate change and educational theory information to the general public. We also support the next generation of Earth scientists and stewards through our travel grant for students and avocational scientists and our VIPSciComm internship. You can check us out at this link to learn more about what we do!

12.) Will these projected weather changes impact the amount and quality of groundwater?
Increased rainfall is expected in the NY region, which will increase groundwater, runoff and cause flooding. Increase runoff and flooding affects water quality causing increased flow or pesticides/herbicides, fertilizers and other contaminants from farms (manure), or sewage into waterways. Increased contaiminats in water affects water quality for humans and aquatic orgnisms, and increased fertilizer/waste creates harmful algal blooms that affects water quality by increasing algal biomass that fouls water, and reduces oxygen in water affecting aquatic organisms.

13.) In your opinion, do you think there is a line between climate change and human rights such that climate change can impact the human rights and well-being of individuals and communities? How can this be addressed?
A safe and helthy environment for people to live should be a basic human right for us and for future generations. Since all the globe is connencted actions that we take on one side of the globe can affect societies in other parts of the world. The environment is a shared commodity - not owned any one nation (as it is all connected) - and therefore needs to managed as such - as a global responsibility. Actions that we take in New York disproportionately influences other parts of the world. The northeast of the US is a region that puts out a lot of carbon emissions. We are also one of the more stable places to live under a changing climate in North America - so our actions unfairly affects those that are more vulnerable to climate change. We have big responsibilities in New York to try to reduce our carbon footprint, because our actions are taking away basic environmental rights of others living in more vulnerable parts of the world, and for future generations.