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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

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Figure 1.5 Population Density Peaks Near <strong>the</strong> Shore0 100MilesAlaskaHawaiiU.S.densityis 79.6People per square mile by statePeople per squaremile by county3,000.0 to 6,6940.0300.0 to 2,999.9160.0 to 299.979.6 to 159.97.0 to 79.51.0 to 6.90.0 to 0.90 100MilesPuerto Rico0 100Miles0 100MilesU.S.densityis 79.6300.0 to 9,316.079.6 to 299.97.0 to 79.51.1 to 6.9As shown by 2000 U.S. Census figures, population density is generally highest in coastal areas, including counties surrounding <strong>the</strong>Great Lakes. Population growth and increasing population density in coastal counties reflect <strong>the</strong> attraction of <strong>the</strong> coast but alsoresult in increased environmental impacts on coastal ecosystems.Source: U.S. Census Bureau. “Census 2000.” (Accessed March 2004).Climate ChangeAverage global temperatures have been rising over <strong>the</strong> last several decades. Scientistsbelieve <strong>the</strong>se changes are probably due primarily to <strong>the</strong> accumulation of greenhouse gasesin Earth’s atmosphere from human activities, although natural variability may also be acontributing factor. 61 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that <strong>the</strong>average near-surface temperature of <strong>the</strong> Earth increased by about 1˚F between 1861 and1990, but is expected to increase by ano<strong>the</strong>r 2.5—10.4˚F by <strong>the</strong> end of this century. 62 Asoceans warm, <strong>the</strong> global spread and incidence of human diseases, such as cholera andmalaria, may also increase. 63,64 Marine organisms that are sensitive to temperature mustei<strong>the</strong>r alter <strong>the</strong>ir geographic distribution or face extinction. Already, changing ocean conditionsin <strong>the</strong> North Pacific have altered ecosystem productivity and have been associatedwith poor ocean survival of young salmon and modifications in <strong>the</strong> composition ofnearshore fish populations. 65 43C HAPTER 1: RECOGNIZING O CEAN A SSETS AND C HALLENGES

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