The graph below was posted earlier in post #4 However,
re-analyzing these graphs can point to some evidence of global climate change.
The high temperatures recorded in the graph over the last 70 years is pretty
constant, however, looking at the lows and the average, some trend in
increasing temperatures can be seen.
While some trends can be seen, the information on this blog
isn’t truly enough to show evidence of climate change. However enough information
does exist to support global climate change. Therefore, it is important to
consider the effects that climate change could have on the city of Portland.
The first and most obvious effect is the rise in ocean tides. This would cause
major problems as far as the infrastructure of the city, especially around the
ocean shore. Flooding would occur causing major property loss and possibly
result in the loss of lives, especially if the change occurred fast enough. Not
only that, but the change in ocean tides also would affect the rivers that run
through the city. Even minor changes in salinity would hurt the salmon and
other wildlife that depend on these rivers. This would in turn affect all of
the wildlife in the area. Recreation would also be impacted as wildlife
transitioned to find food and breeding grounds. Everything from fishing, hunting,
hiking, and rafting as well as many other outdoor activities would be impacted
by a slight shift in ocean tide levels.
Another impact that global climate change would
have on Portland is increased levels of precipitation. Being so close to an
ocean, anything that affects the ocean will affect the city of Portland. A
rising in global temperature would cause increased ocean temperature. This in
turn would cause more water to evaporate. This gives more fuel to storm systems
which means either more systems will develop or the intensity of the storms
will increase. A heating of the ocean would also mean that the intensity of sea
breezes would increase because the temperature difference between the land and
sea would be greater. This would further prevent snow and ice storms meaning an
even greater percentage of the precipitation the city receives would be in the
form of rain.
Original data from:
National Weather Service Forecast Office. "Portland, OR." 7 Mar., 2013. Web.
25 Mar.,2014
. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/local_data.php?wfo=PQR
