| Every day, we are bombarded with news from a | | | | rise (as a result of global climate change), water quality |
| variety of sources: from newspapers to Web sites to | | | | in the nation's rivers, bays and lakes could suffer. In |
| television to friends. With the 24-hour news cycle, it | | | | rivers where the flows decrease, "pollution |
| can be difficult for the average person to filter through | | | | concentrations will rise because there will be less |
| all this information. This can be even more frustrating | | | | water to dilute the pollutants." |
| when it comes to news that directly impacts you and | | | | |
| your family. | | | | 1. This would ultimately require sewage treatments |
| With the flood of information on global warming and its | | | | plants and other water pollution controls to be |
| effects on the environment, it can seem as if the | | | | upgraded-in an effort to protect against the quantity of |
| average consumer is being left out. The news tends to | | | | pollutants. The cost for these upgrades would be |
| concentrate more on the macro level and not | | | | substantial. |
| specifically on how global warming does and can | | | | 2. Some argue that global warming will lead to |
| affect individuals and families. | | | | increased severity of storms. In this case, with even |
| Families throughout the country enjoy the | | | | more severe rainstorms, chemical runoff from farms, |
| outdoors-boating, swimming, camping, hiking, etc. But | | | | lawns, streets-and into lakes, rivers and bays-would |
| with the potential damage that global climate change | | | | increase. This increase would result in a myriad of |
| can have on our outdoor fun, it's essential for us all to | | | | additional problems. |
| understand the extent of the damage that could occur. | | | | 3. If the amount of dissolved oxygen in the nation's |
| What is the impact, if any, of global warming on water | | | | water system is reduced, it could effectively suffocate |
| quality? Is the impact detrimental or negligible? How is | | | | fish, thus impacting a food source for many |
| the average family affected by the effects of global | | | | Americans. |
| climate change? | | | | 4. "Climate change could increase the salinity of some |
| According to the U.S. Environmental Protection | | | | water bodies" (same source as above). |
| Agency, the impact of global warming on water quality | | | | These and a host of other problems from global |
| could be substantial. In a report titled "Environmental | | | | climate change will affect the nation's water quality. |
| Quality and Recreation," some of their findings | | | | With something as vital at the nation's water, it's critical |
| demonstrate just how important protecting the | | | | average consumers know as much as possible, thus |
| environment is. Here are some of the study's findings: | | | | increasing their ability to protect themselves and their |
| If river flows decrease and temperatures continue to | | | | families. |