Maryland’s landscape is undergoing significant changes due to climate change, with effects ranging from the dying oak trees in Montgomery County to the ghost forests of the Eastern Shore. Mike Tidwell, founder of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, highlights these changes in his book, emphasizing the local impact of global warming. The state has seen a 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit temperature rise since the 20th century, leading to increased precipitation, summer droughts, and extreme weather events.

The Eastern Shore, particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, is experiencing saltwater intrusion that kills trees and threatens farmlands. This phenomenon not only endangers the region’s agriculture but also disproportionately affects Black communities, erasing a significant part of Maryland’s history. The Chesapeake Bay area, the third-most vulnerable in the U.S. to sea level rise, is already seeing changes in its fishing industry, with new species like shrimp appearing as waters warm.

Baltimore City faces its own set of challenges, with urban heat islands exacerbating the effects of rising temperatures. The city’s efforts to combat these changes include preserving green spaces and updating its disaster preparedness plan to address climate-related risks. Southern Maryland and the Capital Region are also at risk, with projections showing increased extreme precipitation and flooding, threatening communities and infrastructure.

Central and Western Maryland, while less affected by sea level rise, are not immune to climate change. Residents express concern over higher costs and personal impacts, with Western Maryland experiencing flash flooding. The state’s varied landscape means that each region faces unique challenges, but the common thread is the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities lacking the resources to adapt.

Maryland’s response to these challenges includes local climate action plans and conservation efforts, but the need for broader solutions is clear. As Tidwell notes, stabilizing the climate is essential to prevent the most severe impacts, underscoring the importance of addressing climate change at both local and global levels.

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