Unseasonably high temperatures swept across much of the United States this Halloween. Pittsburgh exceeded the average, reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

     Many regions experienced temperatures ranging from 10-to-30 degrees higher than usual, reflecting a larger trend of abnormal weather patterns that are often linked to global climate change.

     Dave Babik, a biology teacher at Penn-Trafford High School, explained, “Based on what we know of climate change… [storms] will be a more normal thing in the future.” 

     While climate change itself does not directly cause intense natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires or flooding, it can contribute factors that can increase the size, intensity and destructive potential of disasters. 

   One of these factors would be heat. P-T science teacher Eric Reger said that rising temperatures in the atmosphere can lead to an accumulation of excess energy that needs to be released.

     Babik also noted that the warming atmosphere also affects the oceans, raising water temperatures. This can disrupt marine ecosystems, weather patterns and polar ice sheets, especially in Antarctica.

     Warmer waters can accelerate the melting of the ice shelves; the ice acts as a barrier and when they thin out, they are unable to hold back the inland ice as effectively. If this occurs, more ice will flow into the sea and will lead to raised sea levels. According to a study published by Nature Climate Change, the thinning of ice sheets could lead to more ice flowing into the ocean, leading to rising sea levels.

     “Climate change can result in a lot of things that we aren’t aware of,” Babik added.

     In addition to environmental changes, global warming can also affect some communities more than others; climate hazard exposure occurs the most in low-income communities or amongst minorities. Many organizations focus on helping these groups by supporting efforts to reduce these risks and provide resources to protect them. 

     Climate justice, part of the larger concept of environmental justice, occurs when those with the most resources to address the climate crisis use them to protect vulnerable communities.

This justice calls for those with the most resources to take responsibility by supporting these communities.

     Individuals can reduce their carbon footprints by using less energy, supporting eco-friendly brands and making conscious decisions regarding the environment. Several groups, like the Climate Justice Alliance and the Indigenous Environmental Network, raise awareness for vulnerable communities and the social effects of climate change.

Abby Dreistadt, Editor in Chief