Exposed: Climate Change

Much of Appalachia is predicted to experience increased temperatures and precipitation over the coming decades, with temperatures rising by four to nine degrees Fahrenheit and fewer — but more intense — storms interspersed with short droughts.

Heat impacts

• Rising temperatures can heighten the risk of heat stroke during the summer and increase production of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that injures lungs and causes respiratory illness
• A longer growing season and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide will stimulate pollen production and worsen seasonal allergies

Food security

• Although annual rainfall will increase, higher temperatures will accelerate evaporation from plants and harm agricultural operations
• Livestock will be more vulnerable to heat stress

Severe weather

• Heavy rainfall may cause flooding and threaten communities near coal ash and fracking fluid ponds
• Drier periods and increased lightning will escalate the risk of forest fires

Vector-borne diseases

The distribution and severity of diseases carried by insects will increase as rising temperatures expand potential habitats and encourage viral mutation. Of particular concern in the Southeast are:

• Lyme disease from deer ticks
• Dengue and yellow fever from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
• West Nile virus from Asian tiger mosquitoes