Yesterday, the White House released a detailed scientific report forecasting devastating impacts of global warming in the United States if we don’t take dramatic steps now to cut our global warming emissions. The report, titled Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, breaks down climate change effects by region.
Here’s the information provided by the Environmental Defense Fund:
The Northeast:
- Hartford and Philadelphia could average 30 days of 100+ temperatures per year while Boston could see more than 20 100-degree days per year;
- Native maple, beech, birch, spruce and fir forests could be almost entirely lost;
- The climate of New Hampshire could resemble the climate of North Carolina.
The Southeast:
- Much of Florida and southeast Texas could see more than 180 days in the 90s per year while other southeastern states could see more than 100 90-degree days per year;
- Spring and summer drought has already increased by 12 percent and 14 respectively over the last 30 years. The frequency, intensity and duration of droughts in the region are likely to increase;
- Sea level rise and stronger storm surges could inundate and ultimately flood coastal communities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The Midwest:
- The climate of Michigan could resemble the climate of Oklahoma and the climate of Illinois could resemble the climate of Texas;
- Deadly heat waves like the one that killed more than 700 people in Chicago in 1995, will become more frequent. Under higher emission scenarios, Chicago could experience up to three such heat waves every year;
- Higher emissions scenarios would cause a water level drop of 1-2 feet in the Great Lakes, threatening shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems.
The Great Plains:
- Hotter, drier summers will threaten the already overused High Plains aquifer, which irrigates 13 million acres and provides water to 80% of the people in the region;
- Increased temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels will threaten farming activities with more drought, pest infestations, and faster weed growth;
- Under higher emission scenarios, North and South Dakota, which currently see only a handful of 100-degree days, could see 50 or more days of 100+ temperatures per year.
The Southwest:
- Under higher emission scenarios, the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California and Las Vegas could see more than 120 days with 100+ temperatures;
- Most of the region could see precipitation levels decline by more than 40%, pushing already water-strained areas over the edge;
- Southwestern forests will be decimated with less water, more wildfires and more invasive pests. Under higher emissions scenarios, California’s mountain forests could decline by 60-90%.
The Northwest:
- Mountain snow pack runoff, critical water needs, could run 20-40 days earlier, threatening water resources in summer months;
- Declining summer stream flows and warmer water temperatures could push salmon and other cold water fish species, already stressed by human activities, over the brink;
- 100-degree days are rare today in the Northwest. Under higher emission scenarios, much of the region could see 30-40 days of 110+ temperatures per year.
I downloaded and read the section on Agriculture and I’m pleased to see some acknowledgment of greenhouse gases from livestock “farming” as a major contributor to climate change:
While climate change clearly affects agriculture, climate is also affected by agriculture, which contributes 13.5 percent of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions globally. In the United States, agriculture represents 8.6 percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions, including 80 percent of its nitrous oxide emissions and 31 percent of its methane emissions.
Unfortunately the remainder of the section on agriculture does not address changing to more sustainable farming methods, but describes the dire circumstances that will make it difficult to maintain current corn and soybean moncultures and to increase livestock production to keep pace with rising population numbers!
Forest. Trees.
EDF says there some good news as the U.S. House could vote on a landmark energy and global warming bill as soon as next week. They list things we can do to get this bill passed:
- Take action to urge passage of the bill in the House. Write to your Representative and urge him/her to vote for the Waxman-Markey bill.
- Forward this information to all your friends and family.
- Share facts about your region on Facebook or Twitter.
The report reinforces the dire threat American wildlife face in a warming world. Go to EDF’s Warming and Wildlife campaign to meet and see seven “ambassador” species that face a bleak future in a warmer world.
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Filed under: global climate change, wildlife conservation Tagged: | white house report on global climate change
