Nearly+Half+of+California's+vegetation+at+risk+from+climate+stress

= **Nearly Half of California's Vegetation at Risk from Climate Stress.** =

**Where its from and when I posted it.** This source is from ScienceDaily, and can be read [|here]. It was created by researchers at the University of California Davis. It was posted on January, 25, 2018. I am posting this on wikispaces on January 25, 2018, the same exact day. Its a very new source.

**A summary** If current greenhouse gas emission rates in California stay the same, around half of all vegetation in the state will be at a direct risk from climate stress. If the requirements made in the Paris Climate Agreement are met, the 50% value could decrease by half. Even more will be at risk from other problems associated with that, such as increased insect population and wildfires. State agencies are using maps to determine what areas are at the greatest risk, and how to combat that. WE JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS AROUND PAGE 740. Using risk assessment technologies, policymakers are able to analyze the benefits of the Paris Climate agreement, and the effects if the current state is simply maintained, instead of adopting new policy. Scientists predict that if trends continue at the rate they are now, the average world temperature could increase by 4.5 degrees Celsius by the year 2100, which would cause significant environmental stress on Californian vegetation. They also predict that if the measures proposed by the Paris Climate agreement are implemented the temperature will only increase by about 2 degrees Celsius. It is still increasing, but will have lesser effects.

**How the article relates to the course**. Risk assessment, and comparative risk analysis related very closely to the Risk, Toxicology, and human health chapter in our book. It is defined as determining options and making decisions about reducing or eliminating risk. It is used in this study to determine the risks of not participating in the Paris Climate Agreement. It also relates closely to Ecological Land Use Planning, which is a major component of the Sustainable Cities: Urban Land Use And Management Planning. The image below are some composite maps of vegetative stress for specific species in California. These can be combined in a master composite that identifies the areas most at risk.



**My Opinion:** My opinion is that the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement should absolutely be adopted. There is no argument that vegetation will be under extreme stress if we don't, this study is just proving that the effects of global warming are being felt now.I think we should do everything in our power as human beings to stop this trend. More and stricter regulation from the government is a possibility, so is adoption of 90% mass transit to reduce emissions from cars. Waiting until after the worlds temperature has risen 4.5 degrees Celsuis, and then doing something to try to remediate the severe climate stress on vegetation then is much more difficult and costly than preventing the problem in the first place is.

=
Clean Air Act of 1963 - Set standards for pollution levels or limiting emissions or effluents for various classes of pollutants based on current technology. This law is relevant because limiting emissions will reduce greenhouse gases in the air, which will decrease, or at least slow the process of global warming. If emissions were not regulated than greenhouse gases could be freely released into the atmosphere with almost no limit, which would lead to greater climate change in the long run. =====

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 - Congress declares that pollution should be prevented, products recycled, and if neither is feasible, it should be taken care of in an environmentally safe manner. This law is very similar to the previously listed one, but a key difference is that it is directed at pollution prevention, rather than limiting it or setting emissions standards. This seeks to stop pollution before it occurs. It is generally cheaper to not do something, than to so it and then regulate it, and clean it up. This law can affect the situation with Californian vegetation by decreasing pollution in the area. Decreasing the factor that causes global warming will cause a decrease or slow in global warming, and will result in lesser climate stress on vegetation.

**Picture with a source.**

From: “Report Finds Climate Change Already Having Major Effects on Ecosystems, Species.” //Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology //, Arizona State Universtiy, 19 Dec. 2012, phys.org/news/2012-12-climate-major-effects-ecosystems-species.html