Climate Change in Grand Rapids: Should we be concerned? Global climate change affects the whole world.

Climate change, however, should be studied and dealt with on a small community-sized scale in order to chip away at the issue over time. Great strides in human behavior are necessary for the problem of climate change to cease but we can be leaders in the movement toward a greener future for Grand Rapids, and for the world. Grand Rapids has witnessed the negative effects of climate change in recent years including an unseasonably warm Marchand extreme heat in July, and now this spring endured flooding (Grand River). The weather in Grand Rapids in recent years is proof of climate change and how the changes affect our city. Rachel Hood from the West Michigan Environmental Council explains that the flooding of the Grand River in 2013 is, a living learning opportunity for the community, and we couldnt ask for a better demonstration when we talk about the future were looking at (Grand River). Higher amounts of precipitation are not the only effects the changing climate has on Grand Rapids. With rising and falling temperatures comes the possibility for multiple freezing and thawing cycles throughout the winter, which will cause more potholes: something that Grand Rapids residents have a loathsome passion for already. The fluctuating temperatures create an ideal opportunity for the pavement in Grand Rapids to be demolished that causes a need for fixing roads on a major scale, which will cost the city money that could be better spent elsewhere. Ice and snowstorms that cover our roads can be maintained temporarily with salt but the salt will melt the and the snow, and when water freezes, it expands (and makes cracks bigger) (How Grand Rapids). The

thaw and freeze cycles that Grand Rapids experiences will continue to increase in volume and severity as weather conditions become more extreme. According to the climate report, the average temperature in Grand Rapids will increase 2 degrees and precipitation will increase by 2.6 percent (How Grand Rapids). Roads in the city were designed to withstand local weather and climate based on historical weather data and records of extreme storms but the historical data is no longer a dependable predictor of future impacts (How Grand Rapids). The city of Grand Rapids has not sat idly while changes occur instead, with the strong leadership of Mayor George Heartwell, the city is taking an active role to decrease the impact the city has on the climate and to promote a greener way of life and increase the resilience of the city to climate change. The mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell, is among 45 inaugural signers of a pledge to make cities resilient against climate change (Climate Change). Heartwells passion for fighting climate change and protecting the city and its residents is apparent in many of his interviews, climate change and the resulting impacts have already and will continue to affect all sectors of a community including economy, social well-being and environmental stability (Climate Change). Because of Mayor Heartwells efforts, the citys sustainability measures related to climate adaptation will now be tracked and reported annually this way the progress of the citys sustainability plan can be accessed and viewed by Grand Rapids residents (Knapp 2014). Many residents of Grand Rapids might be surprised by these reports because they are ignorant to the fact that climate change is occurring and affecting Grand Rapids in so many ways.

Climate change poses many potential problems to residents of Grand Rapids such as uncomfortably warm temperatures and more frequent severe storms. These problems can lead to higher insurance costs, emergency management budgets, and greater property damage leading to clean-up and rebuilding costs, and potential loss of tourism and recreation (Knapp 2012). Residents of Grand Rapids have the benefit of having opportunities to participate in community wide efforts to combat the aforementioned effects through changing small habits that have developed in recent years relating to food and transportation. The Grand Rapids Climate Resiliency Report states that, eating according to the seasons and using home-based food preservation techniqueshave been somewhat neglected in our current age of convenient food such processes, however, contribute to building more self-reliance into our local food system (Occhipinti & Ferguson 2013). If residents in Grand Rapids limit their purchases of out-of-season foods and items that are not grown or raised locally, less money will be spent to transport the items and less harmful gases will be emitted into the atmosphere. Another suggestion by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) related to food consumption that assists in limiting carbon footprints is establishing a community garden. The idea of eating local is not a new idea but should be put into action in more restaurants and in more neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. Community gardens allow residents within walking distance to harvest and produce as they need it and to be billed electronically for the food they take (Occhipinti & Ferguson 2013). This concept saves residents money and promotes a more environmentally aware process for growing and purchasing food that will reduce emissions of dangerous gases. As well as growing

vegetables there is also the potential for taking an idea that is utilized in New York City for permitting several varieties of livestock (chicken, rabbits, cattle, swine, sheep, and goats) to be raised by city residents (Occhipinti & Ferguson 2013). The intended audience for my public service announcement is anyone who is interested in learning about climate change and its effects on the city of Grand Rapids. I designed my PSA in the format of a website in order to reach a broad audience, including young students and older adults. I wanted my PSA to be accessible for people of all ages and wanted the information to be relevant for everyone as well. The limitations that I predict for my PSA apply to people who might not have easy access to a computer or mobile device with web-browsing abilities. The internet is becoming more accessible every year but some people still see the Internet as a luxury or might not have the resources to access the internet regularly, which would prevent them from visiting my website. Overall I hope that my PSA is relevant to Grand Rapids residents and that it motivates audience members to consider getting involved in transforming their community and the city as a whole.

Works Cited Knapp, Don. "Grand Rapids Emphasizes Climate Adaptation in Its Sustainability Plan." ICLEI USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/grand-rapidsemphasizes-climate-adaptation-in-its-sustainability-plan>. Knapp, Don. "Grand Rapids Mayor Heartwell Outlines Needs for Local Leadership on Climate and Energy." ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA. N.p., 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mayorsinnovation.org/pdf/Heartwell.pdf>. Occhipinti, Nicholas, and Aaron Ferguson. "Grand Rapids Climate Resiliency Report." The WMEAC Blog. West Michigan Environmental Council, Dec. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://thewmeacblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/grand-rapids-climateresiliency-report-master-web.pdf>. Vande Bunte, Matt. "Climate change pledge signed by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell." MLive. N.p., 19 June 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mlive.com/news/grandrapids/index.ssf/2013/06/climate_change_pledge_signed_b.html>. Vande Bunte, Matt. "Grand River flood: 'Couldn't ask for a better demonstration,' environmental advocate says." MLive. N.p., 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mlive.com/news/grandrapids/index.ssf/2013/04/grand_river_flood_couldnt_ask.html>. Vande Bunte, Matt. "How Grand Rapids street tax ties into citys outlook on climate change." MLive. N.p., 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mlive.com/news/grandrapids/index.ssf/2014/01/how_streets_tax_in_grand_rapid.html>.