By Megan Maharry
Student Reporter
Oklahoma: where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.
Non-natives of Oklahoma may not realize how true this line from the Oklahoma State song is. Along with strong, constant winds, Oklahoma’s other weather elements have an effect on the environment.
A large section of Oklahoma is located in Tornado Alley. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Oklahoma experiences an average 60 tornadoes a year.
These tornadoes effect the environment by destroying buildings, trees and other plants along with animals. These effects can be devastating to Oklahoma towns, especially if a tornado damages the many farms in Oklahoma, which several Oklahomans rely on as their food supply. Because Oklahoma has a naturally dry climate, wildfires have damaged parts of Oklahoma’s environment. A study done by the EPA said on average, more than one percent of the land in Oklahoma has burned each decade since 1984.
Wildfire smoke pollutes the air and can increase medical visits for chest pains, respiratory problems and heart problems. Fires also affect the plants and animals in Oklahoma.
According to the EPA, when fire destroys the natural cover, the native grasses and woody plants may be replaced by non-native grasses, which can become established more readily after a fire. Because non-native grasses are generally more prone to intense fires, native plants may be unable to re-establish themselves. Because agricultural is a large industry in Oklahoma, when fires wipe out cattle, it hurts the economy.
Dr. Steven Mackie, NWOSU education professor and Conserving Our Ranger Environment (CORE) sponsor, said he believes many of these environmental disasters affect Oklahoma’s population. “As the storms get bigger, it effects the economy, the environment, it effects the well-being of people,” Mackie said.
And while Oklahoma’s weather has always been somewhat extreme, climate change is playing a role in escalating this weather.
While scientists predict climate change will lead to bigger storms, scientists are still unsure if tornado activity in Oklahoma will increase, but many believe this to be true.
Scientists also predict with climate change, high temperatures and droughts will increase, thus creating more fires. Fires release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which feeds into global warming. According to EPA, people have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40 percent since the late 1700s.
As important as cattle is to the Oklahoma economy, Mackie said industrial animal agricultural is the number one contributor to carbon dioxide. And while many Oklahomans rely on the cattle industry, Mackie said eating locally and looking at our own diets would be a good place to start to help change the environment. “Going local is a great way to change your habits,” Mackie said.
While the weather in Oklahoma can have a devastating effect on the environment, climate change is also predicted to escalate extreme weather, which will ultimately lead to more harm to Oklahoma’s environment.