User:Wnfrase/Grand Canyon

Climate Change
Due to the increase of greenhouse gases, temperatures have steadily risen making recent years the warmest of the century. Temperatures have increased in Arizona by 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit since 1895. Increases in temperatures correlate to decreases in precipitation and snowpack. As water consumption continues to soar due to increasing visitation in the park, current amounts of potable water supplied to the park through the Transcanyon Pipeline are no longer sufficient. The Bureau of Reclamation recommended that the park drill a well into the Redwall-Muav aquifer to meet the increasing water consumption. However, the aquifer's recharge rate stands to decline over time due to decreases in precipitation and snowpack. Some effects of over pumping aquifers include land subsidence, reduction in rivers and lakes, disrupted riparian systems, and poor water quality. Over the last 30 years, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has averaged 13 inches of rainfall per year. The National Parks Conservation Association has given the Grand Canyon National Park grades regarding air pollution. It was given a "D" for "Healthy Air," a "B" for "Seeing Clearly," and a "D" for "Changing Climates." In the National Parks Service's "Climate Action Plan," goals were set to reduce greenhouse gases 30 percent below 2008 levels by 2020 and plan and implement measures that best allow the park to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Strategies to accomplish these goals included: "reduce [greenhouse gases] emissions resulting from activities within and by the park, developing and implementing a plan to adapt to current and future impacts of climate change, increase climate change education and outreach, and monitor progress and identify areas for improvement".