The causes of climate change and acid rain are anthropogenic and emissions based. When considering the cumulative gases and pollutants emitted from vehicles or coal power plants, we see the effects of acid rain and climate change are worsened.
Acid Rain causing pollution also causes climate change
For example, coal-fired power plants that produce acid rain also emit high levels of carbon dioxide that accelerate climate change. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the coal industry produced 65% of CO2 emissions in the electric sector in 2018…that’s 1,150 million metric tons of CO2 emitted in one year alone. Therefore, by moving towards renewable forms of electricity generation like wind, solar and hydropower, we would minimize harmful GHG outputs AND acid rain deposition.
When acid rain impacts a lake, it is more susceptible to climate impacts
A report published by an aquatic biologist at Oregon State University and co-authors from Syracuse and Cornell Universities showed that clear lakes lacking healthy amounts of plankton and dissolved organic matter in the water due to acid rain impacts made conditions more harmful for trout populations. However, lakes that have recovered from acid rain damage, with darker waters where solar rays couldn’t reach as deep, trout had refuge from warming impacts.
Climate change causes acidification, too...it’s a double whammy
In an article written by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2012, scientific modeling and analyses showed how climate change was and would increase the acidification process of northeastern waterways and forests. According to the article, “scientists have discovered that a combination of today's higher atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) level and its atmospheric fallout is altering the hydrology and water quality of forested watersheds--in much the same way as acid rain.” With the Trump Administration’s air pollution rollbacks on acid rain coupled with the anticipated acidification brought on by climate change, it looks like the Adirondacks are in for a fight for survival.
Impacts
Ecosystems exist within a delicate balance. Changes in pH, temperature or precipitation can disturb that balance and have devastating effects on flora, fauna and natural resources.
