The federal government released the much researched and anticipated report on global warming impacts, “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” this week. The report, compiled by the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, undertaken under the Bush administration, and rigorously reviewed by scientists as well as the public. The intent is to inform citizens and decision-makers at all levels of government, although it does not specifically recommend policy.
“This new report integrates the most up-to-date scientific findings into a comprehensive picture of the ongoing as well as expected future impacts of heat-trapping pollution on the climate experienced by Americans, region by region and sector by sector,” said John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a statement. “It tells us why remedial action is needed sooner rather than later, as well as showing why that action must include both global emissions reductions to reduce the extent of climate change and local adaptation measures to reduce the damage from the changes that are no longer avoidable.”
The report investigates the current and anticipated effects of climate change in the US and breaks these down by region as well as business sector. Extreme weather, wildfire and water resource depletion are all effects of warming, which the report confirms is a result of human activity. If trends continue, the US is on track to emit more greenhouse gas than any previous report has considered.
Warming impacts of extreme heat, severe flooding and rising sea levels will continue, impacting agriculture, public health, and transportation sectors.
Loss of coastal areas due to rising sea levels and flooding.
Reduced availability of fresh water, especially in the West, will escalate tensions and demands on existing supplies.
Increased acidification of the oceans threatens coral reefs and their ecosystems, as well as important marine species.
Greater opportunity in some areas for insect damage and wildfires due to warming.
In the Northeast US, precipitation will continue to increase. There will be less snow, less snowpack, and earlier springs, therefore earlier spring river flooding. Less snowfall and a shorter winter season will hamper skiing and other seasonal enterprises. The growing season will increase but key crops such as blueberries and apples will migrate northward.Trees that contribute to fall colors will also migrate north. Heat stress on dairy cows will reduce milk production.
Sea level rises will outpace the global average in the Northeast. Combined with higher ocean temperatures, this will adversely effect the lobster and cod fisheries.
Urban areas with a few over 100 degree summer days currently are expected to experience an average of 20 days. Philadelphia is expected to average closer to 30 summer days over 100 degrees.
These impacts are occurring now and expected to magnify in the future. Although some effects are inevitable and cannot be stopped, understanding the outcome of a range of scenarios can help policy-makers balance mitigation and adaptation efforts.
“By comparing impacts that are projected to result from higher versus lower emissions of heat-trapping gasses, our report underscores the importance and real economic value of reducing those emissions,” said Tom Karl, director of NOAA's National Climactic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. in a statement. “It shows that the choices made now will have far-reaching consequences.”
Acting now to curb greenhouse gas emissions and particulate pollution will limit the extent of climate change impacts and help reduce the shock of rapid change on ecosystems and human health.
TARP funds set aside for the administration’s foreclosure relief program grew to a total of $18.3 billion [1] after the Treasury Department adjusted the caps on incentives for participating mortgage servicers. In the case of Countrywide, the total incentive payments it can receive nearly tripled to $5.1 billion.
Treasury adjusted the caps based on updated data and projections from the servicers and will make similar adjustments each quarter, according to a department spokeswoman.
Another servicer, Residential Credit Solutions, signed up, bringing the total to 16 participants in the Making Home Affordable [2] program, which provides incentive payments to servicers for modifying mortgages for struggling homeowners.
Servicers get $1,000 for each modified loan that is current after a three-month trial period, as well as $1,000 annually for up to three years for each borrower that stays current on a modified loan. The government has other outlays too, such as subsidies for reducing borrowers’ monthly payments and incentives for modifying mortgages that are not yet delinquent.
This article was originally published by www.propublica.org . ProPublica continues to cover the Making Homes Affordable program and how bailout funds are allocated. For more information click here.
The Planning Committee of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) will present the designs of the four finalists being considered for creating a public park at Pier 11, as part of a larger design including a municipal building and the intersection of Race and Columbus Boulevard. The event takes place Wednesday, June 17th, from 6 - 8:30PM at Festival Pier on Penn's Landing.
"This is another step towards our vision of a green, accessible waterfront that all Philadelphians can enjoy," said Mayor Michael Nutter in a statement issued by the DRWC. "We are committed to an open and transparent planning process for the waterfront and Pier 11. The Pier 11 public presentation by four world-class design finalists is an opportunity for the public to re-imagine the Central Delaware waterfront, a vision that will be underway by this time next year."
Last year, Mayor Nutter dissolved the Penn's Landing Corporation and created the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) to oversee the implementation of the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware. The DRWC is a nonprofit agency that "intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia", according to their statement.
A popular neighborhood park in Northern Liberties is not only being outfitted with new plantings and an amphitheater, but with an innovative storm water management system that will keep water out of the city's overburdened system and feed back to watering plants at the park.
The improvements at Liberty Lands, located at Third and Wildey streets, are expected to be completed by June 6. The project, made possible by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Philadelphia Water Department, and Northern Liberties Neighbors Association, was funded by more than $300,000 from the Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection and of Conservation and Natural Resources along with $25,000 from Tower Investments and $3,500 from nearby restaurant the Standard Tap.
"This neighborhood treasure now has a high-tech system that will reduce storm water flow into the city's system," said Joan Reilly, Senior Director of PHS' Philadelphia Green program. "Sustainable storm water management- rain gardens, rain barrels, and other non-traditional methods of controlling storm water- is an important next step in making Philadelphia one of the greenest cities in the country."
The materials are printed. The action is planned. On Saturday, June 6, Casino-Free Philadelphia will conduct a series of peaceful actions at Harrah's Chester to call attention to the predatory practices of the casino industry. Anti-casino allies from Pittsburgh, Massachusetts and Chicago will be on their way shortly. And last night, we had more than 30 anti-casino activists from around Philadelphia trained for "Beat the House", happening this Saturday at Harrah's casino in Chester.
In order to participate in the action inside the casino, you will need to be able to attend the training Saturday morning in downtown Philadelphia (transportation will be available to the casino after the training). The training is at 718 Market St. from 11AM- 1PM.
If your friends and family can't make the training on Saturday morning, or won't join you inside the casino, they can still participate by joining in the action outside.
Casino-Free Philadelphia sent a letter to Chester residents telling them about this planned action. In it, the organization called attention to the fact that "Casino-Free Philadelphia is a grassroots organization funded by member donations. Our actions during Beat the House will be conducted in an orderly fashion and will pose no harm to casino personnel, patrons or property."
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