How climate change is impacting Central Ohio
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
The world's biggest climate event is this week in New York City — and in Columbus, city leaders continue to find local ways to address the effects of a global problem.
Why it matters: Cities like Columbus foot the bill for required infrastructure adaptations for an issue that isn't a priority for many other Ohioans.
Driving the news: It's Climate Week NYC, an annual gathering of government officials, business leaders and celebrities aiming to drive climate action and collaborate on solutions.
- Mayor Andrew Ginther won't be in New York City himself this year, his office tells Axios, though Columbus is working on a variety of sustainability and climate-related initiatives.
Zoom in: The city's own Climate Action Plan, established in 2020, is the overarching document guiding its sustainability efforts.
- Updated this year, the plan calls for a 45% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050.
- It also aims for higher development density, an increase in solar energy, more zero-emission vehicles and a reduction in organic waste.
Also: Last year, Columbus was chosen as one of Bloomberg's 25 "Sustainable Cities."
- In 2021, Columbus joined Power a Clean Future Ohio, a group of Ohio governments aiming to "reduce emissions and invest in clean energy."
- The "Priority Climate Action Plan" brought the city and several other organizations together to support regional investments in sustainability, job creation and improved quality of life.
- "Go Solar Columbus" educates and helps residents establish group solar projects.
Context: Columbus leadership's interest in combating climate change comes as Ohio moves the opposite direction.
- Senate Bill 1 now requires colleges and universities to remain neutral on "controversial" topics, including climate policy.
- In 2023, Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation classifying natural gas as "green energy."
What they're saying: "Climate change is real, and Columbus is feeling the effects" Ginther tells Axios in a statement.
- In 2023, as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, he led a delegation of U.S. officials at the U.N. Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.
- "Just like other places around the globe, communities of color and those residing within our city's Opportunity Neighborhoods are most vulnerable to the hardships that come from a warming planet."
Climate change effects we're feeling in Central Ohio
Wondering how climate change affects your life? Here are just a few ways to measure its impact on Central Ohio:
🌡️ 2024 was the hottest year on record for Columbus and many other cities.
- Our winter, spring, summer and fall seasons have all grown notably warmer on average.
- We're likely in for another warmer-than-usual fall this year.
🤧 Our allergy season is longer, leading to harsher health effects.
🔥 Central Ohio has longer prime wildfire conditions each year.
🦟 Our "mosquito season" is longer — perfect for breeding.
⬇️ About 98% of Columbus is slowly sinking into the ground, likely driven by water usage.
⛈️ Our rainfall intensity is up, stressing local infrastructure and increasing flash floods.