How Climate Change Is Changing Our Coastal Forests

January 19, 2025 / activist360

Map of change between sampling intervals in forest area for low and mid elevation (crossed) counties derived from the FIA. Vector shapefiles were retrieved from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Imagine driving along the coast and seeing rows of lifeless trees standing in pools of water—gray, leafless, and eerie. These “ghost forests” are appearing along the eastern United States, and they tell a sobering story about how climate change is reshaping our coastal landscapes. Coastal forests, which provide critical benefits to both people and wildlife, are disappearing or transforming at an alarming rate.

What Are Coastal Forests and Why Are They Important?

Coastal forests are unique woodlands found near the shorelines of oceans, bays, and estuaries. These forests thrive in areas with a mix of salty and fresh water, making them different from inland forests.

Coastal forests are essential for:

Wildlife Habitat: They provide homes for birds, fish, and other animals that rely on both land and water ecosystems.
Flood Protection: Their trees and soil act as natural barriers, absorbing water and reducing the impact of floods and storm surges.
Carbon Storage: Coastal forests capture and store large amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps slow the pace of global warming.

These vital ecosystems are under threat. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and higher temperatures are causing widespread damage. Many trees are dying, leaving behind ghost forests where thriving woodlands once stood.

How Climate Change Is Impacting Coastal Forests

Climate change is reshaping coastal forests in profound ways, driven by rising sea levels, stronger storms, and increasing temperatures. Each of these factors contributes to the gradual transformation of these ecosystems, creating significant challenges for their survival.

Sea Level Rise: As sea levels rise, saltwater moves further inland, soaking the roots of trees that cannot survive in salty conditions. Over time, these trees die, creating ghost forests. Areas like the Chesapeake Bay have seen this transformation accelerate, as low-lying forests succumb to saltwater intrusion.
Stronger Storms: Hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming more intense due to climate change. These storms knock down trees, flood forest areas, and create conditions that make it harder for new trees to grow. While some forests recover, many do not, leading to a permanent loss of trees and wildlife habitats.
Warming Temperatures: Rising temperatures put stress on coastal forests by changing the types of trees and plants that can survive. Warmer weather can also make forests more vulnerable to pests and diseases, further accelerating tree loss.

What This Means for Us

The disappearance of coastal forests has far-reaching consequences that go beyond the trees themselves. From influencing the global climate to protecting communities and wildlife, these ecosystems play a critical role in maintaining balance.

Carbon Storage: Coastal forests are powerful carbon sinks, meaning they absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When these forests die, they release this stored carbon back into the air, worsening global warming.
Flood Protection: Without coastal forests, communities are more exposed to flooding and storm surges. These natural barriers are irreplaceable in their ability to protect homes, roads, and other infrastructure from water damage.
Wildlife Impact: The loss of coastal forests means many animals lose their homes. Birds, amphibians, and fish that rely on these ecosystems are forced to relocate—or they may not survive at all.

What Can Be Done?

While the challenges facing coastal forests are significant, there are practical steps we can take to protect and restore these vital ecosystems. From preserving existing forests to adapting to the realities of climate change, these actions offer hope for the future.

1. Protect Existing Forests

Taking steps to safeguard the forests we still have is crucial for their survival.

Limit construction and development near coastal areas to reduce stress on these ecosystems.
Establish protected zones where forests can thrive without human interference.

2. Plant More Trees

Replanting trees native to the land can restore damaged forests and strengthen their resilience against climate change.

Reforestation efforts can help rebuild damaged areas and increase the number of trees that store carbon.
Focus on planting salt-tolerant species, native to the land, in vulnerable areas to adapt to rising sea levels.

3. Adapt to Climate Change

Adapting to the realities of climate change can help protect coastal forests and ensure their long-term survival.

Build barriers or channels to prevent saltwater from reaching inland forests.
Use technology and research to monitor changes in forest health and plan for future challenges.

Summing Up

Coastal forests are lifelines for wildlife, shields against floods, and crucial allies in the fight against climate change. Saving these forests matters, not only for the environment but also for the well-being of communities that rely on them. Conservation efforts and innovative solutions are helping some coastal forests recover. And, with collective action, we can ensure these vital ecosystems continue to thrive for generations to come.

Source: Ardón, M., Potter, K. M., White, E., Jr., & Woodall, C. W. (2025). Coastal carbon sentinels: A decade of forest change along the eastern shore of the US signals complex climate change dynamics. PLOS Climate, 4(1), e0000444. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000444. See the data.

How Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change Are Impacting Children’s Health

December 29, 2024 / activist360

Group of children lying in a circle on a carpeted floor, smiling and laughing while looking up at the camera. The photo is framed with a colorful, crayon-like border featuring flowers, hearts, and tulips in vibrant colors like red, orange, pink, green, and yellow. The playful and cheerful design complements the joyful expressions of the children, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

Joyful Moments in Full Bloom

A Call to Action

The health of our planet and our children are closely linked. Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—plays a critical role in keeping ecosystems and people healthy. Yet, biodiversity is rapidly declining, and climate change is worsening its impacts. Children are particularly vulnerable to these changes, as their developing bodies are more sensitive to environmental stressors and they face a longer lifetime of exposure.

Understanding the Crisis

What Is Biodiversity and Why Does It Matter?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms on Earth, as well as the ecosystems they form. It ensures clean air, water, and food, regulates diseases, and supports human health in countless ways.

However, human activity—deforestation, pollution, and overuse of natural resources—has caused biodiversity to decline at an alarming rate. Combined with climate change, these losses create a cycle of destruction that threatens not just the environment, but also our health.

Why Are Children More Vulnerable?

The impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change are particularly severe for children due to their unique vulnerabilities. These include biological factors and social dependencies that make them less able to cope with environmental changes. For example:

Their immune, respiratory, and nervous systems are still developing.
They breathe more air and consume more food relative to their size, increasing exposure to pollutants.
They depend on adults to provide safe environments and resources.

Key Areas of Impact on Pediatric Health

Microbial Diversity: Building Immunity

Microbial diversity, found in soil, water, and plants, is essential for the healthy development of a child’s immune system. When ecosystems lose biodiversity, children lose exposure to beneficial microbes, leading to a range of health issues.

What It Does: Microbial diversity in soil, water, and plants influences the microbes children are exposed to, which is essential for developing strong immune systems.
The Problem: Biodiversity loss reduces exposure to beneficial microbes, increasing risks of allergies, asthma, and inflammatory diseases.

Green Spaces: Nature’s Healing Power

Green spaces with diverse plant and animal life provide much more than aesthetic beauty. They are critical for children’s mental, emotional, and physical health, offering restorative environments for growth and learning.

Benefits: Access to biodiverse green spaces improves physical activity, mental health, and cognitive development in children.
Evidence: Studies show that exposure to diverse plant and animal life in parks and gardens boosts children’s emotional well-being and attention spans.

Heatwaves and Flooding: Rising Risks

As climate change drives more extreme weather, children are facing increasing risks from heatwaves and flooding. These events not only cause immediate health threats but also disrupt the ecosystems that help protect against them.

Heat-Related Illnesses: Children are at greater risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration during heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Flooding: Loss of ecosystems like wetlands, which absorb excess water, increases the risks of displacement, injury, and waterborne diseases.

Infectious Diseases: Expanding Threats

Climate change is enabling the spread of disease-carrying insects to new regions, putting children at a greater risk of infectious diseases. Biodiversity loss compounds this by reducing natural pest control systems.

Vector-Borne Diseases: Climate change allows disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes to thrive in new regions, increasing risks of illnesses like dengue and Lyme disease.
Children at Risk: With weaker immune systems, children are more susceptible to severe outcomes.

Air Pollution: Breathing Problems

The destruction of biodiversity-rich ecosystems contributes to worsening air pollution. For children, this means a higher risk of respiratory illnesses and developmental challenges.

The Link: Biodiversity loss contributes to air pollution as ecosystems that filter air—like forests—are destroyed.
Impact: Air pollution worsens asthma, bronchitis, and developmental issues in children.

Pediatric Medicine: Lost Potential

Biodiversity plays a key role in medical advancements. Many life-saving medicines have been discovered through the study of plants, animals, and microorganisms, a potential that is at risk with biodiversity loss.

Biodiversity’s Role: Many medicines are derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms. For example, antibiotics like penicillin come from fungi.
The Risk: Biodiversity loss could mean less availability of these medicinal sources.

Solutions and Mitigation Strategies

Ecosystem Restoration

Restoring biodiversity is critical for mitigating the impacts of climate change and creating healthier environments for children. These efforts can range from local projects like community gardens to global initiatives aimed at protecting ecosystems.

What Works: Rewilding efforts and urban planning that integrate biodiversity can restore ecosystems and improve air quality, reduce flooding, and create cooling effects.
Example: Restored urban green spaces have been shown to lower temperatures and improve local health outcomes.

Engaging Children in Biodiversity Initiatives

Getting children involved in biodiversity restoration not only helps ecosystems but also benefits their mental health and emotional well-being. These programs foster a sense of agency and environmental awareness.

Programs: Community gardens, tree-planting drives, and biodiversity education in schools.
Benefits: These activities not only improve ecosystems but also enhance children’s mental health, provide hands-on learning, and empower them to take action.

Policy and Community Action

Addressing biodiversity loss requires a collaborative effort across individuals, communities, and governments. Policymakers and organizations can create programs that protect and restore biodiversity while involving the public.

Global Initiatives: The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an example of efforts to promote biodiversity worldwide.
Local Efforts: Schools and communities can push for greener policies, like protecting wetlands or creating more biodiverse parks.

Research Gaps and Future Directions

While we know biodiversity loss and climate change harm children’s health, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects. By addressing these gaps, we can create better solutions tailored to children’s needs.

More studies are needed on the long-term health benefits of biodiversity restoration.
Research should focus on how interventions, especially in underserved communities, can best support children.

Summing Up

Biodiversity and climate change are not abstract issues—they directly impact children’s health today and their futures tomorrow. From the air they breathe to the spaces they play in, children are deeply connected to the natural world. Protecting biodiversity results in safeguarding the well-being of the next generation.

Call to Action

We can restore biodiversity by planting native species, reducing waste, and supporting conservation organizations. Communities can demand greener policies, and governments must prioritize ecosystem restoration. Together, we can protect our planet and ensure a healthier, safer future for all children.

Source: Seastedt, H., Schuetz, J., Perkins, A., Gamble, M., & Sinkkonen, A. (2024). Impact of urban biodiversity and climate change on children’s health and well-being. Pediatric Research.

Understanding Nature’s Seasonal “Breathing” and the Carbon Cycle in Northern High Latitudes

November 10, 2024 / activist360

Tree in four different seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall.

How Seasonal Shifts in the Northern High Latitudes Impact Global Carbon Levels and Climate Stability

Climate change affects not only temperatures but also how ecosystems manage and cycle carbon dioxide (CO₂). Below we explore how rising temperatures and increasing CO₂ levels in Arctic and boreal regions—collectively called northern high latitudes (NHL)—are creating seasonal shifts in CO₂ levels. These changes impact our planet’s “carbon thermostat” and could intensify global warming if left unchecked. Let’s dive into the drivers behind these changes and how we can use this knowledge to shape a healthier future for our planet.

Defining Seasonal Cycle Amplitude (SCA)

Imagine Earth “breathing” with each season: in the spring and summer, trees and plants in the northern high latitudes absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis, much like an inhale. They use this CO₂ to grow, pulling it from the atmosphere and helping cool the planet. When autumn and winter arrive, these plants release CO₂ back into the air as they decompose—much like an exhale. This seasonal fluctuation in CO₂ is known as the Seasonal Cycle Amplitude (SCA).

Over the last several decades, the “inhale” in summer and “exhale” in winter has become more extreme. Plants are taking in even more CO₂ in warmer months and releasing more in cooler ones. This intensifying cycle is linked to higher CO₂ levels in the air and warming temperatures in the NHL, turning nature’s “breath” into a stronger force in the global carbon cycle.

Primary Drivers of SCA Increase

The increase in the seasonal CO₂ cycle, especially in the NHL, is due to several interacting forces. Here’s a look at the primary drivers behind this intensified “breathing”:

Warming Temperatures: Arctic areas are warming faster than the rest of the world, which means that plants have a longer growing season to capture CO₂. This extended period of photosynthesis results in more CO₂ being absorbed during warmer months.
CO₂ Fertilization: Plants use CO₂ as fuel to grow. With more CO₂ in the atmosphere, plants have more “food” available, which can increase their growth and further boost CO₂ absorption.
Increased Respiration: Warmer temperatures cause more CO₂ to be released back into the atmosphere as organic matter decomposes. This process, called respiration, also happens in winter due to permafrost thaw, releasing even more CO₂.

These factors combined are driving an intensified cycle, making the NHL a more powerful influence on our planet’s CO₂ levels.

Regional Influences

Different regions within the NHL—primarily the Arctic areas of North America and Eurasia—play unique roles in this changing cycle. Here’s how each contributes:

Eurasian Boreal Forests: These forests, especially in Siberia, are major players in absorbing CO₂. Warmer temperatures have enabled these forests to grow longer and stronger, contributing significantly to CO₂ uptake.
North American Boreal Forests: Although North America’s boreal forests are also absorbing CO₂, they are more sensitive to drought. This means they may absorb less CO₂ during dry years compared to Eurasia’s forests, which are often moister due to atmospheric changes.

Differences in forest types, moisture levels, and permafrost also mean that these regions respond to climate change in varied ways, affecting their role in the carbon cycle.

Projections for the Future

Looking ahead, the seasonal cycle of CO₂ is expected to continue intensifying in the NHL throughout the 21st century. Under high-emission scenarios, scientists project that by the end of the century, the NHL’s seasonal CO₂ cycle could be 75% stronger than it was in the 1980s.

What does this mean for global climate? This intensified “breathing” cycle means the NHL will continue to influence Earth’s “carbon thermostat” more dramatically. With higher CO₂ intake in the growing season and increased release during the colder months, this cycle could speed up the warming effects of greenhouse gases on our climate.

Recommendations for the Future

To better understand and manage these changes, scientists recommend several strategies to improve our knowledge of the carbon cycle in the NHL and inform climate policy:

Expand Monitoring Networks: Building more observation stations in under-monitored areas like tundras and Siberian forests will provide a clearer picture of CO₂ dynamics and seasonal trends.
Refine Climate Models: Current models should better account for factors like permafrost thaw and snow cover to accurately predict seasonal CO₂ fluctuations.
Support More Research: Understanding the impacts of landscape changes—such as forest growth, wildfires, and vegetation shifts—will help pinpoint how each factor influences CO₂ release and capture.

Taking these steps will help scientists and policymakers better gauge the impact of NHL ecosystems on the global carbon cycle and adapt climate policies accordingly.

Summing Up

Understanding the “breathing” cycles of the NHL offers a valuable key to shaping our climate future. By integrating more data from these regions, scientists can strengthen climate models, allowing for improved predictions and more precise climate targets. These insights also enhance policy decisions, as a better grasp of Arctic and boreal ecosystem dynamics can guide effective climate policies tailored to address the growing impact of CO₂ levels from these areas.

This seasonal “breathing” of Earth’s northern high latitudes reminds us that even the planet’s most remote areas have a crucial role in our shared climate future. By monitoring and adapting to these changes, we can contribute to a healthier, more balanced Earth.

Source: Liu, Z., Rogers, B. M., Keppel-Aleks, G., et al. (2024). Seasonal CO₂ amplitude in northern high latitudes. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 5(11), 802–817. https://www.umt.edu/news/2024/11/110824ntsg.php