Climate Change Impacts In El Salvador

Taken from http://www.evogreen.co.uk/2014/03/climate-change/

If you were to look at the entire figure from IPCC report, it would seem that Central America is spared much of the impacts of climate change. However, upon closer observation you will note that the east side of central America has had a devastating impact through climate change to its marine ecosystems. It would be reasonable to conclude that its proximity to the region would make El Salvador particularly vulnerable to the same impacts. These ecosystems are all connected, and damage in one ecosystem will surely affect the others around it. Climate change certainly affects physical systems in El Salvador. Water supplies are affected by annual glacier melts, and climate change could be devastating in that aspect. These rapid glacial melts, due to climate change, can also change migration patterns in both humans and animals.

Since the Low Level Jet is driven by the size and intensity of the Western Hemisphere warm pool, it is an imperative connection to say that climate change could drastically affect weather in El Salvador. Patterns like El Nino could drive draught, and La Nina could effect flooding conditions. Notwithstanding decadal variability, dramatic precipitation increases and decreases are direct results of global climate change. The Subtropics will become dry as the global climate warms, and are related to a more powerful Carribean Low Level Jet. Conversely, Intra American Seas circulation weakens, causing the gulf of Mexico to warm less than other oceans. Carribean precipitation is likely projected to decrease in the south and increase in the north by the century's end. 

Significant trends in precipitation and temperature have been observed in Central and South America. Climate variation and extreme events have severely affected the region, usually in the forms of landslides and flash floods from frequent and extreme rainfall. Climate projections show increases in temperature and increases/decreases in precipitation by the year 2100 AD. There are projected changes in streamflow and water availability that will affect vulnerable regions with a certainty. Deforestation and land degradation from agriculture are contributing significantly to environmental degradation and will worsen the negative impact of climate change. There is a projected 90% species extinction rate until the 2100 due to the conversion of natural ecosystems. Poverty leaves this region particularly vulnerable to the risk of climate variability and change. Sea levels and human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems are threatening sea life and disease control. Agriculture is threatened and food security will be an effect of climate change in the region. Global climate change is negatively affecting human health in the emergence of diseases and pollution. A first step in adapting to future climate change is to reduce the vulnerability of the region. 

Water management is a critical issue affecting the globe. It is of particular interest to me, because having grown up in a desert, I can particularly appreciate the critical importance of water availability and usage. Water is the single most element required for life in humans, animals, and plants. Waterborne disease issues increase where there is flooding, and agriculture is deeply affected by both flooding and drought. Human migration is largely dependent on water sources. I believe future wars will be fought over this precious resource, and that it is the primary issue of the future. There is a disparity that favors the rich in terms of water resources. In the UAE, one thing that I noticed was that water was and is still used at unsustainable levels. This water is used from building function purposes, all the way to plant care. 

Taken from http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/08/28/study-of-16-developing-countri/