What the Record-Setting 2015 Temperature Data Means for Americans

NASA’s recently released climate data shows that the first five months of 2015 are the hottest years on record — a full 1.3 degrees above the long-term average. The year is also proving to be hotter than 2014, which was the hottest year on record.

That’s problematic information, especially coupled with a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency that claims current efforts by the U.S., Europe, and China to reduce climate change will be insufficient to keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius — the long-standing goal of climate experts and national leaders. The agency looked at the pledges made in the past year and found that while current efforts won’t cut it, but that increased efforts could still keep temperature changes in acceptable limits.

Climate change affects many things, from weather patterns to the health of entire populations of people. In addition, it also has a major effect on the survival of various plant and animal species. But the impacts also extend to the more mundane: for example, climate change  may have a significant impact on the country’s national parks. A study in the journal PLOS ONE analyzed existing temperature data and park attendance to make projections. Some of the findings include:

• Parks in the northern parts of the country might see more attendance thanks to increased temperatures
• Parks in already warm climates will likely see lower attendance in the hottest months.
• Some parks will also be significantly impacted by the more severe weather incidents and rising sea levels.

However, parks that begin adapting and planning for these changes can still thrive.

With the 2016 election coming ever closer, environmental issues are sure to come to the forefront. Research suggests that the 2008-2009 recession negatively hampered overall opinions about the importance of climate change and other environmental concerns as people became more concerned about their immediate needs and well-being.

For comparison, in 2006, 79 percent of adults declared global warming a serious issue, as opposed to 69 percent currently, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center. A New York Times article also points out President Obama’s election may have led some Republicans to push back vehemently on the topic of climate change.

In fact, opinions about climate change are severely divided according to party lines according to the Pew Research Center. 86 percent of Democrats believe that climate change is happening, compared to 45 percent of Republicans. Similarly, 64 percent of Democrats, compared to just 22 percent of Republicans, believe that it is caused by human activity.

The Paris summit on climate change at the end of the year will play a major role in shaping climate change on a global scale, but data suggests that the U.S., and other nations, will need to put forward effort to significantly reduce temperatures. The 2016 elections will shape the direction of U.S. climate policy, making environmentalism a key concern for voters.