The Green Sky Era

After the explosion of the National Fuel Reserve in 2009, the petroleum inside ignited and leaked into the atmosphere. This caused a slow-acting chain reaction which spread across the globe, altering the absorption spectrum of the atmosphere over the next few months. By the time this reaction "concluded," the sky had turned green. Although theorized by some to be only a temporary condition, in actuality the sky would retain this jade hue until the ensuing end of recorded history. Later, a new cast of historians would refer to this time (estimated 2013 - 2063) as the Green Sky Era. 
The fundamental change in the chemistry of the air affected nearly every aspect of life and this period is rife with troubles.  Effects of the color change were quickly theorized and slowly actualized over the tumultuous time following the disaster in Bath County, popularly known as G-Day. The first and most apparent effect of a green atmosphere was an immediate increase in the standing temperature of the Earth. People soon discovered that the green sky absorbed much less ultraviolet radiation than the previous blue. Global warming accelerated at a breakneck pace. 
The immense heat caused an epidemic of cataracts and heat stroke.  The ice caps melted rapidly, thus rising water levels became breeding grounds for mosquitoes and an evolved form of malaria (known as the mosquito plague) ran rampant.  Immune systems were weakened.  Skin cancer claimed many.  Supercell thunderstorms and squall lines trashed the landscape on a regular basis. Most people lived in destitution.  Above all, dehydration became the largest threat at a time when the main water supplies were often contaminated.
Conversely, this period was defined by an explosion of innovation and adaptation. After G-Day, the creep and the chaos that followed effectively reset society. In the aftermath, humanity united in recovery. Leading minds of the new society looked to nature to solve common problems. The role of integrated aquaculture systems, rapid advances in electrical transmission, organic solar cells (sols) and water purification systems saved humanity during this trying period.