More People in Cook County Due to Climate Change
Climate change is a topic that has been debated and talked about for many years. Even most scientists believe this is happening. Fresh data from 28,000 Americans indicates that the average human also holds this belief.
Now states all over the country are starting to feel the consequences of climate change. Because of these changes, two hundred thousand people have relocated to find a more stable environment.
A moving service named HireAHelper released a study showing the Top 6 for the most-wanted destination for its climate which are Maricopa County, Arizona, Los Angeles County, California, Oklahoma County, and Oklahoma. Finally, Cook County takes the seventh spot.
The director of the Global Environment and professor at the University of Chicago’s Environmental and Urban Studies, Sabrina Shaikh stated, “The midwest isn’t facing the same amount of climate change compared to coastal cities but Chicago isn’t free of climate change.”
How will all the relocating of people towards the Midwest change and impact those areas and cities?
according to Sabrina “Depending on how these midwestern cities and areas prepare for the increase of people moving in will have a major impact on what might happen next. If this isn’t handled and planned properly the problems will be major and too much.”
What the residents of Cook County have to say
As Climate change is a heavily debated topic what do the people of Cook County think of it? Studies have shown how the people of Cook County feel about it saying 57% of people believe climate change is real.
Nazar Schmilik resident of Ukraine village stated, “This is bad the water level is rising as the Arctic is melting.”
“The changes are noticeable but these cities aren’t built to handle this amount of temperature and then boom the heat is rising,” said a resident of Chicago Gauri Pandya.
Following that Kevin Perry, a former Philadelphian now a Chicagoan, explained, “I don’t think climate change is real due to the world being so old.” Afterward adding, “The world might be going through a rotation and it has been this hot before.”
Uncertain Future
Furthermore, Jane Elder said, “This is a very terrifying thing to think about and how it will change our future.”
Additionally, some have started to become and think more eco-friendly to help with climate change.
Like Jane who has also said she buys clothes from second-hand sources to help stop them from going into a landfill and be more eco-friendly.
Another person who believes in being eco-friendly is Kevin Davis who said, “My family owns a single vehicle and I take public transport, and from time to time I use my bike to make it to work even at home we don’t run ACs because we live near the lake so we can enjoy the natural and cold wind.”
Even Gauri has made an effort to become eco-friendly. “I bring a bag everywhere to not buy single-use plastic bags,” she shared.
Even when I buy takeaways I wash the plastic container to put them into the recycle because if it has food it won’t be recycled at all.
The change in weather patterns and surge of storms are causing many people’s minds about whether climate change is real or not.
By Samuel Cruz
Sources:
ABC 7 News: Climate change is real according to most Cook County residents; here’s what they’re doing about it
WTTW News: Cook County Desirable Destination Amid Climate Change Study Says
Crain’s Chicago Business: Cook County a top destination for those escaping climate change: study
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Climate Camp Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Daniel X. O’Neil Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
