Global warming’s impact on Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Global warming is often regarded as a remote, long-term problem, but extensive research shows its impact currently affects the Magnolia State.

Mississippi was an outlier nationally for lower average temperatures over the last century, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the state’s diverse coastal and inland ecosystems still face a serious threat from global warming. The EPA asserts that the state has become drier, annual rainfall has increased and the sea level is rising about one inch every seven years. Additionally, the agency projects that the days above 95 degrees Fahrenheit yearly will potentially quadruple by 2086.

Though some crops like soybeans and cotton benefit from higher temperatures and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, others like corn will likely have smaller yields. Higher temperatures are also likely to reduce livestock productivity because heat stress disrupts an animal’s metabolism.

Timber is the state’s third largest commodity, according to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Forestry accounts for 4% of all of the state’s jobs. Warmer and drier conditions could change the makeup of Mississippi’s forests and increase the frequency of wildfires, hurting the state’s lucrative commercial timber industry.

Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that hurricanes and other major storms have increased in intensity and duration by about 50 percent since the 1970s. Rising sea levels leave beachfront development more vulnerable to storm surges and erosion. By 2100, the EPA estimates that the sea level along some South Mississippi beaches will rise by 15 inches.

Many of the negative effects of climate change cannot be eliminated but can be reduced. Below are things you can implement to reduce your carbon footprint:

• Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs
  • The average household can save more than $200 yearly using LED bulbs. 
• Lower the water heater temperature
  • Adjusting the temperature from 140 to 120 degrees can reduce the risk of scalding and build-up in your pipes, potentially saving consumers hundreds of dollars on energy costs. 
• Get smart with thermostat use
  • People can save as much as 10% on heating by adjusting their temperature seven to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. 
• Reverse the ceiling fan in the summer
  • Changing the fan direction could save consumers up to 15% on their winter energy bills and up to 30% on their summer energy bills.
• Weatherstrip around windows and doors
  • Weatherstripping around moveable joints reduces air leaks and helps homeowners stay more comfortable year-round. 
• Seal around windows with caulk
  • Certain types of air sealing are best done by a professional, but air sealing around windows or doors with a tube of caulk is an effective, inexpensive DIY energy project.