North Carolina's Climate Change Crisis: Rising Temperatures Threaten Coastal Areas

Photo byMaury County Source

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, even with temperature increases of just two or three.

North Carolina, for instance, has experienced a rise of 3.3°F from 1970 to 2022, with the fastest warming areas being Greenville (+3.7°F), Charlotte (+4.7° F) and Raleigh (+5.6°F).

These changes are fueled by human activities, including electricity generation, transportation, and rapid industrial growth.

As North Carolina’s greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming, the state faces the risk of disappearing beaches, rising sea levels, and intensifying heat waves.

The Outer Banks could even erode away if sea levels rise by just 2 feet by 2100. To mitigate these risks, actions like reducing coal usage, promoting energy efficiency, and creating greener cities are essential.

Fast-warming states like New Jersey (4.5° F), Rhode Island, and Delaware highlight the urgency for change, while the slowest-warming states, such as Washington, Idaho, and Oregon (1.8° F), demonstrate the variability across regions.

Without aggressive mitigation efforts, the consequences of climate change will only grow more severe.