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.
