Delaware - How Climate Change will Affect the State

 
 

Sunrise, mist and ground fog at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge located on the shore of the Delaware

Go Deeper

The Nature Conservancy supports the adoption of RGGI and other pragmatic policies that will reduce emissions causing global climate change.

For more information, please contact: 

Roger Jones
State Director
Delaware Field Office
The Nature Conservancy
(302) 654-4707 ext. 126
rjones@tnc.org, and

Sarah Murdock
Climate Change Program Manager
Eastern U.S. Conservation Region
The Nature Conservancy
(617) 542-1908 ext. 204
smurdock@tnc.org.

Climate Change

Read more on what The Nature Conservancy is doing about Climate Change and how you can help.
 

Bear Swamp Pool, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware

Temperature Increases

Global warming is occurring as a result of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, from human activities.1 Since 1895, the Mid-Atlantic region’s climate has become slightly warmer (+0.9°F) and significantly wetter (+10%).2 Climate models show that the average global temperature will increase an additional 5-9° F by the end of this century, and that warming in much of the U.S. will be above the global average.3 This warming could increase the annual number of days in Delaware above 90°F by as much as 250%.4

Sea Level Rise

The Delaware Bay is home to the second largest spring migration of shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere. Over one million birds visit this critical migratory stop-over each year.5 Sea-level rise associated with climate change is projected to destroy 20-70% of the intertidal shorebird habitat in Delaware Bay.6 Habitat loss from sea-level rise will be compounded by temperature increases that will likely disrupt seasonal patterns affecting important migratory shorebird food sources. Bird species that are particularly vulnerable include the red knot and many species of neotropical song birds like orioles, goldfinches, and scarlet tanangers.7

Sea level rise in conjunction with reduced freshwater runoff from the land are expected to cause salinity levels to climb in Delaware Bay. Higher salinity will have significant impacts on the bay’s biodiversity and could also lead to salt water infiltration of local drinking water sources.8

Sea level rise and increased storm surges will severely degrade or destroy coastal barrier beaches. The loss of recreational beaches in Delaware will likely result in declining numbers of summer visitors to Delaware shore resorts including “the nation’s summer capital”, Rehoboth Beach.9 

Impacts on Fisheries

Striped Bass are expected to experience a major loss in habitat, especially in the southern part of its range, as ocean temperatures rise. This could have significant effects on the overall health of bass stocks in Delaware waters.10

As ocean temperatures have risen over the past several decades, scientists have also observed increasing outbreaks of marine diseases like the oyster-killing parasites MSX and Dermo. The severity and frequency of pathogenic outbreaks affecting shellfish, marine mammal and fish species are expected to magnify as warming continues in the marine environment.11

Impacts on Agriculture

Increases in climate variability could make adaptation by farmers more difficult. Warmer climates and lower soil moisture levels may increase the need for irrigation. However these same conditions could decrease water supplies, which also may be needed by natural ecosystems, urban populations, industry and other sectors.3

Impacts on Forests

At a mere 34%, Delaware has the least forest cover of any state in the mid-Atlantic region. As temperatures rise, Delaware’s current oak/pine forests are expected to transform so that they will more closely resemble the forests found today in southern Virginia by the year 2100. The rapid shift in vegetation zones will put considerable stress on Delaware’s sparse forests and the wildlife that inhabit them.12

Public Health Impacts

Higher temperatures are expected to exacerbate the problem of urban air pollution resulting in increased illness and premature death. As the number of hot days rises, the annual number of unhealthy air days will also increase since temperature is a main factor in the formation of poisonous ground-level ozone.13 Additionally, the US EPA reports that higher temperatures could result in more air pollution from the increased use of air-conditioners and emissions from power plants.14 Studies show that degraded air quality causes increased incidences of respiratory disease and premature death. Heat related deaths are expected to increase as well.15

Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Americans cannot continue to rely on voluntary approaches to address the threat of climate change. Protecting the last great places in Delaware for our children and our grandchildren depends on the adoption of practical regulations like the Northeast States’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI will achieve greenhouse gas reductions at the lowest possible cost and will serve as a model for other multistate and federal efforts. 

Footnotes:

1 Karoly, D. J., et al. (2003) Detection of a Human Influence on North American Climate, Science 302 pp. 1200-1203.
2 Polsky, C et al. The Mid-Atlantic Region and its climate: Past, present and future. Climate Research. May, 2000.
3 US EPA (1997), Climate Change and Delaware. EPA 230-F-97-008h.
4 US Global Change Research Program, The United States National Assessment on the Potential Consequences of Climate Change and Variability, Foundation, Chapter 4: The Northeast. 2000.
5 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: Division of Fish and Wildlife. Delaware Bay Shorebirds, http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/shorebird_info.htm 2005.
6 Galbraith, H., et al. (2002) Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Potential Losses of Intertidal Habitat for Shorebirds, Waterbirds: Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 173–183.
7 National Wildlife Federation & American Bird Conservancy, Global Warming and Song Birds, http://www.abcbirds.org/climatechange.
8 Delaware River Basin Commission (1986) Greenhouse Effect, Sea Level Rise, and Salinity in the Delaware Estuary, EPA-230-05-86-010.
9 US Global Change Research Program, The United States National Assessment on the Potential Consequences of Climate Change and Variability, Foundation, Chapter 4: The Northeast. 2000.
10 Coutant, C.C. (1990) Temperature-Oxygen Habitat for Freshwater and Coastal Striped Bass in a Changing Climate, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 119 pp. 240–253.
11 Harvell, C.D., et al. (1999) Emerging Marine Diseases Climate Links and Anthropogenic Factors, Science 285 pp. 1505-1510.
12 US Global Change Research Program, The United States National Assessment on the Potential Consequences of Climate Change and Variability, Foundation, Chapter 4: The Northeast. 2000.
13 US Global Change Research Program, The United States National Assessment on the Potential Consequences of Climate Change and Variability, Foundation, Chapter 4: The Northeast. 2000.
14 US EPA (1997) Climate Change and Delaware. EPA 230-F-97-008h.
15 Chestnut L.G., et al. (1998) Analysis of differences in hot-weather-related mortality across 44 U.S. metropolitan areas, Environmental Science and Policy, Vol. 1, No. 1 pp. 59-70.

 

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Harold E. Malde (Bear Swamp Pool Bombay Hook Nat. Wildlife Refuge); Photo © Alan W. Eckert (sunrise, Prime Hook Nat. Wildlife Refuge).