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53 <br />STATISTICS <br />TREND 1 <br />THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE <br />Unfortunately, climate change has already started <br />to have and impact on parks, trails, and other <br />recreational environments. Heatwaves, droughts, <br />floods, and other extreme weather events have <br />become more frequent in the last decade, impacting <br />not only the landscape but also the enjoyability <br />of parks, trails and open spaces. In coming years, <br />communities must develop strategies to adapt <br />and evolve to the changing conditions the world is <br />facing. <br />Implementing green infrastructure (e.g., rain <br />gardens, permeable pavements, bioswales, etc.), <br />preserving, protecting and expanding natural <br />resources, and integrating climate resilience into <br />park planning and management are just a few ways <br />to counteract the impacts climate change is having <br />on our health and well-being. <br />75% <br />40% <br />6 out of 10 <br />of Americans believe that climate change will cause <br />significant environmental harm <br />of Americans believe that climate change will directly affect <br />their communities and outdoor spaces <br />Americans believe that rising sea levels will cause migration <br />away from coastal areas <br />Figure 2.3: Carbon dioxide in the <br />atmosphere contributes to the effects of <br />climate change <br />Source: “Top Trends in Parks and Recreation for 2024” - <br />National Recreation and Park Association (2024) <br />Figure 2.4: Wildfires have become an <br />increasing concern in heavily-wooded <br />areas <br />Figure 2.5: The frequency of flood events <br />has significantly increased in recent years