Plateau-Wide Issues
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Effects of climate change on activities
Ranching
In theory, more rain would enhance vegetation, enabling ranchers to expand cattle stocks or graze the same number of animals on less land. However, the timing of precipitation is critical. Increased winter rains could run off too early to affect the spring growing season, and they will not impact the summer monsoons. Furthermore, increased climate variability — which will result in more “very wet” and “very dry” years will make range management and planning more difficult. During dry years, costs could increase for supplemental feed, water hauling, and cattle relocation. Rangeland ecosystems could also suffer further damage.
Mining
More rainfall would increase the likelihood of overflow containing highly toxic chemical and metal pollutants from storage reservoirs and holding ponds. Future climate policies aimed at reducing CO2 emissions could have an indirect negative effect on coal mining if electricity generators shift to lower-carbon fuels.
Energy
Currently, three new coal-fired, greenhouse gas emitting power plants are proposed for the Colorado Plateau. More generating capacity may be needed to meet the demands associated with higher temperatures and a growing population. Any future climate policy is likely to result in additional costs and operational changes for the electricity sector, a major emitter of greenhouse gasses.
Urban infrastructure
Increased flooding could further stress urban infrastructure such as St. George’s drainage channel system, as well as sewage systems, pipelines, and roadways. Air quality could be negatively impacted as temperatures rise, and the “urban heat island” effect could be exacerbated in cities.
Effects of climate change on human health
Climate changes could increase the incidence of Hantavirus and allow the spread of infectious diseases like dengue fever, encephalitis, and valley fever in the region. Heat-related illnesses also could increase. The region’s population is growing rapidly, with the heat susceptible elderly population accounting for the largest percent increase.
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